Colony Operations Team Lead

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number #173305 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

The Colony Operations Team Leader provides operational oversight and direction throughout the canine and feline animal colonies. This role takes ownership of performance management and development for animal care personnel, as well as ongoing allocation of human resources to efficiently achieve research objectives. They take responsibility for working with Site Services and outside contractors to maintain facilities and equipment to meet federal and state regulations and Hill’s Global Animal Welfare Standards.

The Operations Team Leaders also interface with other departments including Product Development and Research and Innovation in order to actively facilitate efficient execution of organizational research priorities.

• Team Leadership:
  Serves as the primary leadership partner for the Colony Team Coordinator while maintaining an "open-door" presence for the ACRT team; provides overarching direction to ensure shift productivity and research protocol adherence while acting as a direct resource for staff at all levels to resolve complex issues.
• Resource Planning:
  Plans and allocates resources and ensures staffing coverage to achieve daily animal care schedules and deliver area KPIs.
• Safety and Compliance:
  Establishes a safe work environment and ensures strict compliance with facility policies, Hill’s Global Animal Welfare Policy, and Animal Colony Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Performance Analysis:
  Analyzes and reports shift performance data (KPIs, data integrity, sanitation schedules), identifies opportunities for improvement, and conducts shift meetings to communicate goals.
• Training and Development:
  Empowers the team through training, coaching, and feedback to ensure the development of technical skills in animal handling, health assessments, and research data collection, while also coaching technicians and team coordinators to work through interpersonal challenges and strengthen their leadership capabilities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Research Strategy:
  Acts as the primary liaison between the colony and key partners—including Scientists, Test Schedulers, IT, Wearables, and Maintenance—to serve as the "point person" for study feasibility; evaluates new methodologies and data collection technologies to determine what works for the colony, ensuring that new processes are efficient, sustainable, and balance research goals with operational excellence.
• Operational Oversight:
  Works with the Team Coordinators to maintain an active presence on the floor at all times to oversee cleaning, sanitation, feeding, and enrichment activities, ensuring all tasks meet high-quality standards.
• Problem Solving:
  Facilitates strategic problem-solving, including implementation of complex or novel research protocols, scheduling to maintain adequate coverage 365 days a year, and allocation of human resources to allow for research data collection, animal health care, and adequate hygiene.
• Process Improvement:
  Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, address ergonomic issues, reduce waste, improve operational efficiency and promote animal overall well-being.
• Technical Integration:
  Utilizes technology (e.g., FMS, PAWS, PAWS mobile app) to coordinate effective daily feeding and data collection.
• People Management & Development:
  Conduct 1-on-1s and performance reviews; create individual development plans (IDPs); manage conflict resolution; lead the search, selection, and onboarding of new talent.
• Workforce & Attendance Management:
  Oversees the timekeeping and vacation request systems to ensure all hours and leave are recorded accurately and approved on time; monitors attendance patterns to ensure the attendance policy guidelines are applied consistently and fairly while maintaining necessary shift coverage.
• Other job functions as assigned

• Minimum Associate's degree (Associates of Science, Registered Veterinary Technician, or similar).
• 5+ years of experience in a regulated, high-standard environment such as animal care, research facilities,…