Team Leader - Operations

Who are we?At Animates, we’re passionate about helping pet parents give their pets the happiest, healthiest lives possible.Animates is New Zealand’s largest pet care specialist, with 48 retail stores, 34 grooming salons and 14 vet clinics working together across communities to support the wellbeing of pets. Every day our teams empower pet parents with trusted advice, quality products and expert services so they can make informed decisions for the animals they love.Join our Whangarei store and be part of our friendly and passionate team, led by an experienced manager and enjoy free parking!What you'll be doing:This is a full-time position working Tuesday to Saturday. Here at Animates, the advice you give and the products you sell make a real difference to the lives of pets.Our values-led culture and extensive training will ensure you’re confident providing specialist advice to pet parents and empower you to deliver operational excellence in merchandising, inventory control and e-commerce fulfilment.Key responsibilities in addition to providing customer service:- Receiving, counting, and merchandising stock

• Maintaining accurate ticketing
• Managing home delivery and/or click and collect
• Providing operational coaching and development to other team members
• As a senior member of the team, provide cover when the Assistant Store Manager or Store Manager are absent

What we’re looking for:You’ll have operational experience in a high-volume retail environment, enjoy providing excellent customer service and have demonstrated experience driving performance through effective coaching. To be successful you’ll also have:- A positive attitude and dedication to being a valuable team member

• A growth mindset and proactively seek solutions
• Physical ability to lift stock (up to 20kg)
• Business knowledge and financial acumen

What we offer:- Tailored career development – whether you're interested in leadership, grooming roles, or becoming a puppy school trainer, we offer a range of progression pathways and hands-on support to help you grow in the direction that suits you best

• Generous discounts at our retail stores and vet clinics
• Parental leave benefits to support your growing family
• Give back to your chosen charities through our ‘Paws for Good’ volunteer leave
• Paid bereavement leave following the loss of a pet
• Access to free counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme
• Stability. Be part of a business that’s growing and thriving

Why you will love Animates:We’re proud to offer a genuinely supportive and inclusive culture, where our leaders care deeply about the wellbeing of their teams and everyone lives our values of passion, authenticity, care, knowledge, and togetherness. As a Rainbow Tick Certified Employer, we encourage you to bring your whole self to work.We’re also honoured to be the first organisation in Aotearoa to achieve Gold level recognition in the Mental Health First Aid Workplace Recognition Programme. This reflects how seriously we take mental health and wellbeing—through training our people in Mental Health First Aid, creating safe and open environments to talk, and making sure everyone feels supported, connected, and able to look out for one another every day.If you’re looking for a leadership role where you can grow and support your team, run a successful store, and make a real difference to pets and their people, we’d love to hear from you.