CAREERS AT CHESTER ZOO

Animal Nutrition Manager

Job reference:001579

Salary:£39,833 per annum

Closing date:03/04/2026

Department:Animal Health

Location:Chester

Employment type:Permanent

Hours Per Week:40

Job Description

Animal Nutrition Manager

Full time, permanent contract with an option for some working from home and some flexibility in hours.
We are Chester Zoo
We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 30,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

The Role
We now have an exciting new role for an outstanding Animal Nutrition Manager. Reporting to the Head of Veterinary Services, with the support of the Executive, Senior Management team and Board of Trustees, you’ll lead the development and delivery of scientifically robust, evidence-based nutrition programs to ensure optimal health, welfare, and compliance for the animals under Chester Zoo’s care. This role provides specialist expertise in diet formulation, nutrient analysis, and benchmarking against best practice, designing tailored diets for species and individuals while addressing potential nutritional issues.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Provide specialist nutritional advice and training on all aspects of animal nutrition.

• Design evidence-based diets tailored to species and individual needs.

• Review existing diets against current scientific knowledge.

• Provide nutritional analysis and targeted nutrition research

• Collaborate across departments and with Nutrition Assistant, to ensure a seamless nutrition and diet service is provided and legal requirements are met.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?
Well, where do we start? Here goes…
We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.
As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package
• Permanent contract

• 40 Hours Per Week

• £39,833 per annum

• Some possibilities for hybrid working.

• 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days

• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family

• Cycle to work scheme

• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme

• Discounted gym membership

• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks

• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%

Our Requirements – Animal Nutrition Manager

• Relevant degree with focus in Animal Nutrition or equivalent experience.

• Detailed understanding of animal nutrition and diet analysis.

• Substantial experience of nutritional dietary analysis and the use of nutritional analysis software.

• Proactive, self-motivated, with good organization skills and proven record of ability to manage own time and work to deadlines

• Ability to present information clearly and concisely in verbal presentations and written communications for a range of audiences

• Evidence of computer literacy, including nutrition analysis software.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities

• Proven ability to work in and contribute to a team environment

• A strong commitment to animal health and welfare

• Attention to detail, accurate record keeping.

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Understanding of nutritional research methods and applications and of zoo animal nutrition is desirable.

• Relevant research analytic skills, including study design, data collection, statistical analysis and data presentation

• Understanding of Zoo’s Responsibilities in terms of animal nutrition under existing legislation.

• Scientific writing and publication