Kennel Manager

JM Pet Resort & Veterinary Clinic; Brockton (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

JM Pet Resort & Veterinary Clinic is seeking a Kennel Manager to lead our kennel team and ensure high-quality care for all pets. The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, staff development, and adherence to safety and animal welfare standards.

The ideal candidate will have management experience in a kennel setting, strong organizational skills, and the ability to motivate staff while maintaining exceptional customer service. This is a full-time position based in Brockton, MA.

Qualifications

• 2 years of management experience in the Kennel field required.
• High School Diploma required; Associate's degree preferred.
• Must be able to learn new technology.

Responsibilities

• Oversee opening/closing checklists and adapt tasks to business needs.
• Lead shifts of 3-6 staff and delegate kennel tasks.
• Coach employees on leash handling and safety protocols.
• Maintain kennel operations manuals and update training materials.
• Monitor pet behavior and communicate concerns to management.
• Conduct employee interviews and provide feedback.
• Schedule staffing to meet dog volumes and payroll costs.
• Ensure health and safety by following quarantine protocols and safety policies.

Skills

Management experience

Leadership

Team supervision

Organizational skills

Coaching and training

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's degree

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

The Kennel Manager ensures a successful and safe kennel environment physically and emotionally for all pets and employees. As a hands‑on leader, you will conduct all activities alongside team members while providing guidance and oversight to all employees in the Kennel department. You will cultivate a growth minded workplace and provide support and encouragement to all employees, with a heavy focus on those that express interest in advancing. Through training, coaching, delegating, and troubleshooting you will achieve streamlined kennel operations within prescribed timelines.

We are seeking a full-time experienced, dependable Kennel Manager to lead our team. The ideal candidate will have proven supervisory or management experience, strong leadership and organizational skills, and the ability to motivate staff while maintaining exceptional standards of animal care and customer service.

• Ensures timely completion of opening/closing checklists and task lists and updating these lists to fit changing business needs or additional responsibilities
• Demonstrates excellent leash skills
• Ensures all employees are following leash handling protocols and providing coaching when necessary to create a safe and educational building for the pets and clients in our facility
• Updates the Animal Care/Kennel Operations Training Manual when necessary and ensures it is being used to train our employees in daily kennel routines
• Helps new team members learn the names of active pets and ensures safety by instilling a basic knowledge of dog behaviors and body language in all employees
• Assists and coaches team members in handling unruly dogs
• Leads shifts of 3-6 employees, including cleaning, delegating tasks and managing multiple pets
• Supports the team as needed
• Maintains organization by returning supplies (tubs of chemicals, trash bags, kennels, etc.) to their designated locations
• Efficiently performs consecutive physical tasks while maintaining a sense of urgency
• Observes changes in pet behaviors and communicates concerns to management while also using existing knowledge to set the pet up for success
• Approves/denies time off requests in regards to the departmental schedule
• Reinforces color-coded caution system/restrictions and permissions, while supporting those who would like to move up by participating in one on one handling practice and providing coaching when necessary
• Promptly responds and engages with employees that call out sick
• Compiles supply lists and delivers them to management to ensure a fully stocked facility
• Is an active participant in our communication platforms (email, When I Work and Basecamp) and encourages Animal Care Specialists and Leads to do the same
• Plans and presents updates and reminders at bi-monthly Kennel meetings, but also sends reminders and updates as needed via our communication channels in between meetings
• Monitors the condition of the facility and promptly report any damages to our maintenance department
• Composes and delivers both 90 day and annual employee reviews and communicates with management for approval when pay adjustments are in order
• Conducts working interviews and delivers prompt and detailed feedback (via an evaluation form) to the Talent Acquisition Specialist
• Provides guidance for employees if they need help becoming familiar with our processes (time off requests, enrolling in Jolt and confirming schedules)
• Exemplifies JM Pet Resort & Veterinary Clinic Mission & Values, and ensures all employees are familiar with our company vision and its importance
• Manages payroll costs by scheduling accurately for volume of dogs
• Ensures the health and wellness of animals in our care by following quarantine protocols and ensuring that staff do the same
• Assists with evacuation of all animals if an emergency occurs

Qualifications

• 2 years of management experience in the Kennel field is required
• Passionate about animal welfare; treats all animals with kindness and respect

Education

• High School Diploma required
• Associate's degree preferred

Computer Skills

• Must be able to learn new technology in accordance with business needs

Physical Demands

• Regular standing, walking, kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting, reaching and climbing
• Lift and carry up to 50lbs regularly and up to 175lbs with appropriate assist
• Safely handle and walk large dogs, manage strong leash pulling
• Sufficient manual dexterity for all tasks
• Ability to hear animal vocalizations and verbal instructions clearly
• Visual acuity to observe animal behavior, detect distress/illness and read materials

Working Conditions

• Potential exposure to dog and cat bites
• Potential exposure to contagious diseases or infections
• Exposure to contaminants
• Exposure to extreme weather (i.e. heat and cold)
• Must work around pet hair and dander

Disclaimer

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed or deleted in accordance with business needs.