Operations Leader

About the role

Petco is a pet supply retailer committed to improving lives by providing everything pets need to live their best lives. Founded in 1999, Petco operates over 1,500 stores in the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, supporting thousands of local animal welfare groups and helping find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

Key Responsibilities

• Pet First
• Uphold Petco's animal care standards
• Promote a safe, welcoming environment for pets, pet parents, and partners
• Follow all policies and procedures related to animal welfare, safety, and store operations
• Foster the Fun
• Deliver friendly, knowledgeable, and solution-oriented service to every customer
• Support and supervise store partners, helping maintain productivity and positive morale
• Aid in training new partners and reinforcing best practices on the sales floor
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and visually appealing store environment
• Let's Go!
• Open and close the store while following all cash handling, safety, and security protocols
• Support daily store operations including sales, task execution, and recovery
• Execute merchandising standards, including planograms, pricing accuracy, signage, and promotional set-ups
• Assist with inventory activities such as restocking, cycle counts, inventory integrity, and required inventory paperwork
• Identify out-of-stocks, low inventory, or merchandising issues and communicate them to store leadership
• Process transactions, refunds, and exchanges accurately and efficiently
• Act as the primary point of contact in the absence of store management
• Support sales initiatives and promotions to help achieve store goals

Essential Functions & Work Environment

• This role is primarily performed in a Pet Care Center retail environment
• The Key Holder is expected to be regularly present on the sales floor, leading by example and engaging with partners, customers, and pets
• Majority of work is conducted indoors; however, occasional duties may require leaving the Pet Care Center for tasks such as bank deposits, merchandise transport, or community events
• The role requires frequent standing and walking, as well as bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting
• Ability to safely lift and move merchandise, supplies, or animals weighing up to 50 pounds
• Regular engagement with customers on the sales floor, including providing customer assistance and performing cashiering and point-of-sale transactions
• Must be able to work in proximity to animals, including exposure to animal dander, odors, noises, and cleaning chemicals
• Flexible availability to support Pet Care Center operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• A limited amount of travel may be required for training, meetings, or community engagement

What You Bring

• Previous retail experience required; key holder or supervisory experience preferred
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Basic math skills and experience handling cash and transactions
• Reliable, responsible, and detail oriented

Qualifications

• Experience working with animals is helpful but not required
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Pass a background check and drug test

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and financial benefits
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Incentives
• Paid time off

Why You’ll Love It

• Purpose-driven work that makes a difference for pets and people
• Opportunities to build leadership skills and grow your career
• A collaborative, inclusive team culture
• Strong stepping stone for future leadership opportunities