The Operations Manager provides hands-on leadership for the SPCA of Southwest Michigan's daily shelter operations, with significant responsibility for medical records, clinic and staff scheduling, and coordination of animal-care plans. This position ensures that animals receive consistent, compassionate care; staff have clear direction and support; facilities remain safe and functional; and operational practices reflect the organization's mission, policies, and applicable animal-welfare requirements. The Operations Manager works closely with the Executive Director, medical team, adoption and intake staff, volunteers, and community partners to maintain efficient, humane, and responsive services. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Shelter and Animal-Care Operations Oversee daily shelter workflows, including animal care, cleaning and sanitation, feeding, enrichment, housing, intake, adoption support, and movement of animals through the shelter. Own and maintain the daily medical and operational schedules, coordinating veterinary examinations, vaccinations, surgeries, treatments, medication times, rechecks, animal movement, and staff coverage. Conduct regular rounds to assess animal welfare, kennel conditions, workflow needs, and adherence to established care standards. Coordinate closely with veterinary personnel to support timely examinations, vaccinations, treatment plans, medication administration, isolation protocols, surgery preparation, and follow-up care. Maintain complete, accurate, and timely animal medical records in the shelter-management system, including diagnoses, treatments, medications, test results, vaccination history, surgery notes, restrictions, and follow-up instructions. Help ensure every animal has complete intake documentation, appropriate assessments, required agreements, and a clear medical and placement plan. Review medical records and schedules daily to identify missing information, overdue care, conflicting appointments, or follow-up needs; resolve discrepancies promptly with veterinary and animal-care personnel. Monitor shelter capacity and resource needs; elevate concerns promptly and help develop practical solutions that protect animal welfare and staff safety. Support adoption, foster, transfer, transport, community-service, and pet-retention programs as operational needs require. Team Leadership and Communication Provide direct supervision, coaching, scheduling, training, and day-to-day support to assigned team members. Set clear expectations, assign work fairly, monitor performance, recognize strong work, and address concerns promptly and consistently in partnership with the Executive Director. Lead effective shift huddles and operations meetings; ensure timely communication across departments and shifts. Develop, publish, and adjust employee schedules to maintain appropriate coverage for animal care, medical appointments, adoptions, intake, cleaning, and other operational priorities. Promote a respectful, accountable, trauma-informed workplace culture centered on teamwork, safety, learning, and compassion. Assist with recruiting, onboarding, performance evaluations, corrective action, and staff-development plans as assigned. Work collaboratively with volunteers and the volunteer team to ensure volunteers are appropriately trained, supported, and integrated into shelter operations. Facilities, Safety, and Resources Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and welcoming environment for animals, employees, volunteers, adopters, and visitors. Coordinate routine facility inspections, maintenance requests, vendor access, repairs, grounds needs, security, and emergency readiness. Manage operational inventory and purchasing, including animal-care supplies, cleaning products, personal protective equipment, food, and equipment; monitor usage and reduce waste. Ensure staff follow infection-control, disease-prevention, workplace-safety, bite-prevention, chemical-handling, and emergency procedures. Respond calmly and decisively to animal, personnel, facility, weather, and public-safety emergencies; participate in the on-call rotation as assigned. Compliance, Records, and Continuous Improvement Implement and monitor standard operating procedures, organizational policies, required records, and applicable local, state, and federal requirements. Establish consistent medical-record workflows and conduct routine audits to confirm that entries, treatment sheets, medication logs, controlled-document records, and required follow-up are complete and current. Maintain accurate operational logs and records; review data related to animal flow, length of stay, incidents, staffing, inventory, and other key measures. Prepare concise updates for the Executive Director and recommend improvements based on observations, data, staff feedback, and recognized animal-welfare practices. Support budget stewardship by tracking operational expenses, obtaining quotes when appropriate, reviewing invoices, and identifying cost-effective solutions that do not compromise care. Participate in organizational planning, public events, donor or partner visits, and special projects as requested. Qualifications Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in operations, animal sheltering, veterinary services, nonprofit services, hospitality, facilities, or a related environment; supervisory experience strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to lead people, organize competing priorities, solve problems, and maintain standards in a fast-paced setting. Knowledge of—or willingness to quickly learn—animal shelter operations, population management, humane handling, sanitation, disease prevention, and fear-free or low-stress practices. Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to communicate respectfully with people from varied backgrounds. Comfort using common office software, scheduling tools, and shelter-management databases; ability to learn new systems. Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record; ability to pass job-related background or driving checks when required. Commitment to the mission and values of the SPCA of Southwest Michigan and to equitable, compassionate service for animals and people. Physical and Working Conditions This position works in an animal-shelter environment and may involve exposure to animal waste, cleaning chemicals, allergens, odors, noise, zoonotic disease, and animals with unknown medical or behavioral histories. With or without reasonable accommodation, the employee must be able to: Stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and perform active work for extended periods. Safely handle and restrain animals of varying sizes and temperaments using approved techniques. Regularly lift and carry up to 40 pounds and occasionally assist with heavier animals or equipment using team-lifting practices. Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and respond to urgent situations. Core Competencies Compassionate leadership

• Accountability
• Sound judgment
• Organization
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Clear communication
• Safety awareness
• Continuous improvement

Pay:

$22.00 - $28.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location:

In person