Team Leader in Ipswich, Suffolk

Team Leader - Animal Care

Salary iro £28,000 per annum

South Ipswich - own transport essential

Shifts: 6am–10.30 and 3pm–6pm (split shifts)

5 days out of 7 (including weekends)

Are you an experienced Team Leader or Supervisor who loves animals? We're looking for someone with strong people management skills to oversee a busy kennels and cattery near Ipswich. Previous animal care experience isn't essential. What matters is your ability to organise, motivate and support a small team, maintain high standards and take responsibility for daily operations.

This is a hands-on role, so you'll need to genuinely enjoy working with dogs and cats and be happy getting involved in their daily care.

You don't need previous kennel or cattery experience, but you will need experience leading people, managing daily workloads and ensuring high standards are maintained.

This is a varied, practical role where you'll combine team management, customer service and hands-on animal care.

If you're someone who enjoys taking responsibility, supporting a team and getting stuck in rather than sitting behind a desk, this could be a great opportunity.

What you'll be doing as the Team Leader

• Leading, motivating and supporting a small team of animal care assistants.
• Organising staff rotas, daily workloads and ensuring all tasks are completed.
• Overseeing the daily running of the kennels and cattery.
• Maintaining excellent standards of animal welfare, cleanliness and hygiene.
• Getting involved in feeding, walking, cleaning and caring for dogs and cats.
• Managing customer enquiries, bookings, arrivals and collections.
• Training and supporting staff to maintain consistent standards.
• Monitoring animal health and wellbeing, reporting any concerns.
• Ensuring health and safety procedures and relevant regulations are followed.
• Handling day-to-day challenges and making decisions confidently.

Previous team leading, supervisory or management experience is essential.

You'll also need:

• A genuine love of dogs and cats, with confidence around animals of different sizes and temperaments.
• Experience organising workloads, delegating tasks and supporting colleagues.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise.
• A calm, practical approach to problem-solving.
• The confidence to take responsibility and make decisions.
• A positive attitude and willingness to get involved in hands-on animal care.
• A full driving licence and your own transport.

Previous experience in kennels, catteries or another animal care environment would be beneficial, but isn't essential.

Working hours

This position involves split shifts, working 5 days out of 7, including weekends on a rota.

Morning: 6am–10.30am
Afternoon: 3pm–6pm

Due to the location and working hours, your own transport is essential.

Interested?

If you're an experienced Team Leader or Supervisor who loves animals and would enjoy a varied, hands-on role, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV to find out more.