Assistant Manager

3M HEALTHCARE; Fairfield (CA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 55,104; Full time

Job summary

Petco in California is hiring an Assistant Manager to support the General Manager in running a high-performing Pet Care Center. You will lead partners, care for pets, and deliver exceptional customer experiences on the sales floor.

You will mentor staff, coach for selling and pet care, manage daily operations, inventories, and promotional events; handle escalations and maintain brand standards with flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of retail experience, including supervisory or management experience.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and motivate a team.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with point-of-sale systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Passion for animals and knowledge of pet care strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Pet First: uphold animal care standards and promote a safe environment for pets and customers.
• Foster the Fun: lead, coach, and develop store partners while maintaining brand standards.
• Let's Go!: manage daily operations, drive sales, and monitor performance.
• Step into leadership: assume duties in the GM's absence and make decisions.
• Resolve escalated customer concerns quickly and professionally.

Skills

Retail leadership

Team motivation

Communication skills

Customer service

Problem solving

Tools

POS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

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 — the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we 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. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

As an Assistant Manager

You play a critical leadership role in bringing this purpose to life. You support the General Manager in running a high‑performing Pet Care Center, leading partners, caring for pets, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. You are a trusted leader on the sales floor, stepping in as the lead in the General Manager’s absence, and a role model who helps develop talent, drive results, and ensure operational excellence every day.

What You’ll Do

• Pet First: Uphold Petco’s animal care standards, ensuring the health, safety, and proper handling of all animals; promote a safe, welcoming environment for pets, pet parents, and partners; act with integrity and care in every decision that impacts pets and their families.
• Foster the Fun: Lead, motivate, and engage store partners to deliver outstanding service and build customer loyalty; support hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing development of store partners; provide timely coaching, feedback, and recognition to strengthen performance and engagement; maintain a clean, organized, and visually appealing store that reflects Petco’s brand and values.
• Let’s Go!: Support daily store operations to ensure smooth workflow and execution; drive sales, service, and operational goals by leading from the floor; monitor store performance metrics and share results and insights with the General Manager; assist with inventory control, merchandising execution, and promotional events.
• Step into leadership responsibilities and decision‑making in the absence of the General Manager.
• Resolve escalated customer concerns quickly and professionally.

Key Responsibilities

• People Leadership: Serve as a role model for Petco values, behaviors, and service standards; coach partners to strengthen selling skills, pet care knowledge, and customer engagement; support a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture; assist with performance management and accountability.
• Business & Operations: Execute merchandising standards and ensure accurate inventory levels; support labor efficiency, task prioritization, and operational routines; ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and safety standards; assist with additional duties as needed to support business needs.

What Success Looks Like

Pets are healthy, safe, and cared for to Petco standards. Customers receive friendly, knowledgeable, and solution‑focused service. Partners feel supported, coached, and motivated. The Pet Care Center runs smoothly, looks great, and consistently meets performance goals.

What You Bring

• 2+ years of retail experience, including supervisory or management experience.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and motivate a team.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with point‑of‑sale systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Passion for animals and knowledge of pet care strongly preferred.

Essential Functions & Work Environment

This role is primarily performed in a Pet Care Center retail environment. The Assistant Manager 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; 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 includes 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. This is a full‑time position. Eligibility for full‑time status is based on average hours worked, as defined by company policy and applicable law. A limited amount of travel may be required for training, meetings, or community engagement. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Why You’ll Love It Here

Purpose‑driven work that makes a difference for pets and people. Hands‑on leadership experience and career growth opportunities. A supportive, inclusive culture built on teamwork and authenticity. The chance to grow your leadership skills while having fun doing meaningful work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification. Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Pay Range

$25.50 – $39.50 hourly or salary range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO – see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits