Grooming Salon Manager ~ $1000 Sign on Bonus

About the Role

As a Grooming Salon Leader at Petco, you will lead salon operations and salon team members while delivering expert grooming services to our valued customers' pets. Your passion for people and pets will ensure a positive experience for our partners and exceptional care for every pet, leaving them looking and feeling their best.

Petco is where pets and pet people go to find everything they need to live their best lives. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood and are here for every tail wag, vet visit, and step of the journey. With 29,000+ team members, we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, as well as Vetco Total Care hospitals and preventive care clinics.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the grooming salon, ensuring smooth workflows, optimizing scheduling, managing inventory, and executing staffing plans.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of grooming staff, from entry-level trainees to professional groomers, providing coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations.
• Create and manage efficient grooming schedules to optimize salon capacity and accommodate customer demand.
• Monitor salon performance metrics such as revenue, customer satisfaction, and productivity, analyzing data to identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives, implementing strategies to drive growth and boost profitability.
• Interact professionally with pet parents, providing exceptional customer service, addressing grooming inquiries, and offering recommendations.
• Stay updated on grooming industry trends and best practices to enhance your skills and those of your team.
• Perform professional grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, adhering to breed standards and company policies.
• Evaluate individual needs of each pet, considering coat type, skin conditions, and temperament.
• Educate pet parents on grooming maintenance and home care practices to promote pet well-being.
• Ensure the well-being and safety of every animal in the salon, monitoring for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury.
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area, disinfecting tools and equipment, and performing daily and weekly cleaning duties.
• Utilize expert knowledge of Petco’s grooming policies and standards to ensure safety, quality, and consistency.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience as a professional groomer and/or completion of a technical grooming training program.
• Strong leadership skills with a desire to train and develop people; 1-2 years of salon management or related experience preferred.
• High-school diploma or GED preferred, though not required.
• Very strong verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and team members.
• Expert knowledge of various dog breeds, grooming requirements, common health issues, and behaviors.
• Expert-level proficiency in breed-specific cuts, styling techniques, and grooming standards.
• Genuine passion for animals with a commitment to a career in pet grooming.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills for moderately complex situations.
• Results-driven with a focus on salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure grooming services are executed accurately and to the highest standards.
• Capable of handling pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy.
• Available to work full time (minimum 35 hours per week), including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.

Work Environment

The majority of job duties are conducted indoors in the grooming salon. The position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds), and standing for long periods. Exposure to heights (e.g., using a two-step ladder) and noisy, wet environments is possible. A significant portion of the role involves direct contact with pets and their owners.

Skills & Benefits

• $1,000 sign-on bonus paid after 90 days of consecutive employment.
• Competitive pay + incentive-based earnings tied to salon performance + tips.
• Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401k retirement plan and paid time off.
• Petco discounts and access to all necessary grooming supplies and equipment.
• State-of-the-art grooming equipment, including bathing systems, kennels, tables, and dryers.
• Career development and growth opportunities, such as Grooming Mentor and Grooming Instructor roles.

Pay

Salary Range: $15.00 - $28.00 per hour, depending on position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the indicated range, the higher wage will apply.