Assistant Manager

Petco; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. in Santa Fe, NM is seeking an Assistant Manager to help run a high-performing Pet Care Center, lead partners, care for pets, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

As a trusted leader on the sales floor, you will step in for the General Manager when needed, drive daily operations, coach teammates, monitor performance, and ensure safety and brand standards across the store.

Qualifications

• Retail supervisory experience required.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Proven ability to coach and develop a team.
• Experience with POS systems.
• Customer service excellence mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and motivate store partners to deliver outstanding service and store performance.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, and development of team members.
• Oversee daily store operations, inventory, merchandising, and promotional events.
• Ensure safety, policy compliance, and adherence to Petco standards.
• Step in for the General Manager as needed and drive execution on the sales floor.

Skills

Retail leadership

Team coaching

Communication

Problem solving

POS proficiency

Tools

POS (Point of Sale)

Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?

We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and people.

• Pet First - Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.
• Foster the Fun - Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.
• Lets Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

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

Experience & Skills

• 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