Grooming Salon Manager

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.

About Petco

We’re proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years — from their favorite meals and toys to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood and are here for every tail wag, vet visit, and step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics, and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love, supporting thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and helping find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the grooming salon, ensuring smooth and efficient workflows, optimizing scheduling and grooming capacity, managing inventory levels, and executing staffing plans.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of grooming staff from entry-level trainees to professional level, providing coaching, feedback, training, and performance evaluations while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Create and manage efficient grooming schedules that optimize salon capacity, maximize productivity, and accommodate customer demand.
• Monitor salon performance metrics such as revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity, analyzing data to identify areas for improvement and developing action plans.
• Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives, implementing strategies to drive growth and boost profitability.
• Interact professionally with pet parents, provide exceptional customer service, address grooming-related inquiries, offer recommendations, and resolve concerns.
• 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 and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, adhering to breed standards and company policies.
• Operate and maintain grooming instruments such as clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers.
• 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 overall pet well-being.
• Ensure the well-being and safety of every animal in the salon, monitoring for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and reporting concerns promptly.
• Perform quality checks to maintain a clean and safe grooming area, disinfecting and sanitizing tools and equipment, and adhering to Petco hygiene and sanitation policies.
• Utilize expert knowledge of Petco's grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure safety, quality, and consistency in all salon activities.

Requirements

• 2 or more years' experience as a professional groomer and/or completion of a technical grooming training program.
• Strong leadership skills with the desire to lead, train, and develop people; 1-2 years of salon management or related field experience preferred.
• High-school diploma or GED preferred, though not required.
• Very strong verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and grooming 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 desire to continue a career in pet grooming.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Results-driven with a focused commitment to salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail, ensuring 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, at least 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 using a two-step ladder or other support tools may be necessary for cleaning and maintenance. A significant amount of time will be spent in direct contact with pet parents and their dogs, and the remaining time with salon team members. The work environment can be noisy and wet.

Skills

• Opportunity to lead with purpose and showcase grooming skills, creativity, and passion for animals.
• Competitive pay plus incentive based on salon performance, and tips (payment in accordance with the Grooming Salon Leader Incentive Plan details).
• Medical, dental, vision, and more.
• 401k and other financial benefits.
• Paid Time Off.
• Petco discounts.
• All necessary supplies and equipment, including brushes, nail trimmers, clippers, blades, shampoo, sprays, and tools.
• State-of-the-art 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 - $30.00 hourly. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws.