Aquatics & Operations Manager

Ocommerce; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 hour week

Training and support from US livestock

Opportunity to build UK operation

Job summary

Ocommerce in the UK is seeking a hands-on livestock operations lead to set up and run aquarium systems, receive imported shrimp and fish, keep stock healthy, and dispatch live orders.

You’ll manage quarantine, daily health checks, water testing and packing for next day delivery, train a part-time relief member, and collaborate with our US team by video and messaging to build a new UK operation from the ground up.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience caring for tropical freshwater livestock.
• Strong knowledge of water chemistry (pH, GH, KH, TDS, nitrogen cycle).
• Experience with quarantine and receiving new livestock.
• Confident with stock records and basic office software.

Responsibilities

• Set up, maintain and monitor aquarium systems and water quality for shrimp, nano fish, snails and plants.
• Receive and acclimate imported livestock, run quarantine, and decide when stock is healthy and ready to sell.
• Carry out daily health checks, water testing and record keeping, spotting and resolving problems early.
• Pick, pack and dispatch live orders for next day delivery, using the right packing for each season.
• Keep stock counts accurate and report losses honestly and promptly.
• Keep the site safe, clean and ready for emergencies, including power or equipment failures.
• Train and coordinate a part time relief team member to cover weekends and holidays.
• Work closely with our US operations team by video and messaging, including occasional calls outside UK hours.

Skills

Livestock care

Water chemistry

Quarantine procedures

Stock records

Team coordination

UK work rights

Tools

Stock records software

MS Excel

Communication tools

Job description

You’ll own the livestock side of our UK operation: setting up and running the systems, receiving imported shrimp and fish, keeping them healthy, and getting orders out the door packed perfectly

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Set up, maintain and monitor aquarium systems, filtration and water quality for shrimp, nano fish, snails and plants.
• Receive and acclimate imported livestock, run quarantine, and decide when stock is healthy and ready to sell.
• Carry out daily health checks, water testing and record keeping, spotting and resolving problems early.
• Pick, pack and dispatch live orders for next day delivery, using the right packing for each season.
• Keep stock counts accurate and report losses honestly and promptly.
• Keep the site safe, clean and ready for emergencies, including power or equipment failures.
• Train and coordinate a part time relief team member to cover weekends and holidays.
• Work closely with our US operations team by video and messaging, including occasional calls outside UK hours.

Qualifications & Skills

• At least 2 years of hands on experience caring for tropical freshwater livestock, for example in an aquatics store, wholesaler, breeder or public aquarium.
• Strong knowledge of water chemistry (pH, GH, KH, TDS and the nitrogen cycle).
• Ability to recognise and treat common fish and invertebrate health issues.
• Experience with quarantine and receiving new livestock.
• Confident with basic computer tools for stock records, order lists and team messaging.
• The right to work in the UK.
• Desirable: experience keeping or breeding Neocaridina or Caridina shrimp, packing livestock for courier delivery, or supervising others.

What we’re looking for

• Someone who genuinely cares about animal welfare and takes pride in healthy stock.
• A self starter who can run a site day to day without close supervision.
• Organised and dependable, with good record keeping and attention to detail.
• Honest and accountable: you report problems early and own the outcome.
• Calm under pressure when things go wrong, from a delayed shipment to a power cut.
• A clear communicator who enjoys working with a small, international team.
• Excited to build a new operation from the ground up.

What we offer

• A good compensation based on experience and skills.
• A defined 40 hour week, with funded weekend and holiday cover so you’re not on call every day.
• Training and support from an experienced US livestock team.
• The chance to build and shape a new UK operation, with room to grow as the business expands.

Our hiring process

• Intro call with our team (30 min).
• Video Interview covering livestock care, problem solving and how you work.
• Assessment of skills.
• Final conversation with leadership and offer.