General Manager Tropical Fish & Aquarium Store

Ll & Wendell Escott Inc: Aqua Land Aquarium Service Co.; Harbor Hills (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k)

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

LL & Wendell: Aqua Land - Aquarium Service Co. is seeking an experienced General Manager in Lomita, California to lead daily store operations, ensure exceptional customer service, and oversee aquatic livestock care.

The role requires strong business acumen, hands-on leadership, and extensive knowledge of freshwater and saltwater systems. The GM will manage budgets, payroll, inventory, and vendor relations while maintaining regulatory compliance and high animal welfare standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a General Manager in a tropical fish store, aquarium retailer, or related aquatic business.
• Demonstrated experience managing daily operations, employees, finances, payroll, and inventory.
• Extensive knowledge of freshwater and saltwater aquarium livestock, species identification, and care requirements.
• Strong understanding of aquatic animal diseases, quarantine, and preventive care.
• Proficiency in aquarium filtration systems, water chemistry, and life-support equipment.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, livestock procurement, and pricing/merchandising.
• Ability to manage budgets and improve profitability in a retail setting.
• Experience coordinating permits, inspections, and regulatory compliance in California.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to perform hands-on maintenance and animal care alongside staff.
• Excellent customer service and commitment to animal welfare.
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and flexible schedules.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all daily store operations to ensure efficiency, profitability, and service excellence.
• Develop and implement SOPs, store policies, and procedural guidelines.
• Manage budgets, expenses, financial reporting, and store profitability.
• Oversee payroll, scheduling, timekeeping, and labor costs.
• Monitor sales performance and develop strategies to grow revenue.
• Coordinate inventory purchasing, pricing, and stock management.
• Ensure compliance with city, state, and federal regulations and permits.
• Maintain knowledge of CDFW regulations and animal status requirements.
• Lead by example with hands-on participation in store operations and care duties.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate staff; foster a collaborative work environment.
• Provide guidance on customer service, product knowledge, and safety standards.
• Support marketing efforts, promotions, and e-commerce activities.

Skills

General management

Leadership

Inventory control

Staff training

Customer service

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Vendor management

Aquatic husbandry

Water chemistry

Education

BS in Marine Biology

Tools

Lightspeed POS

Inventory software

Job description

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance

LL & Wendell: Aqua Land - Aquarium Service Co.

Location: Lomita, California

Job Type: Full-Time

Position: General Manager

Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000 per year.

About Aqua Land

LL & Wendell: Aqua Land - Aquarium Service Co. is a tropical fish and aquarium specialty store dedicated to providing healthy aquatic livestock, quality aquarium products, professional aquarium services, and exceptional customer experiences.

We specialize in freshwater and saltwater fish, aquatic plants, corals, aquarium equipment, and aquarium setup and maintenance services.

We are seeking a highly experienced, knowledgeable, and hands‑on General Manager to oversee daily store operations, lead our team, maintain high standards of aquatic animal care, and drive the continued growth and success of our business.

The ideal candidate combines strong business management experience with extensive knowledge of aquatic husbandry, aquarium systems, and the tropical fish retail industry.

Key Responsibilities

1. Store Operations & Business Management

• Oversee all aspects of daily store operations, ensuring efficiency, organization, profitability, and excellent customer service.
• Develop and implement operational procedures, store policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Manage store budgets, operating expenses, financial reporting, and profitability.
• Oversee employee payroll, scheduling, timekeeping, and labor costs.
• Monitor sales performance, establish revenue goals, and develop strategies to improve profitability.
• Coordinate inventory purchasing, vendor relationships, product pricing, and stock management.
• Ensure compliance with applicable city, county, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regulations regarding prohibited, restricted, and permit‑required aquatic species.
• Verify the legal status of all fish, invertebrates, corals, aquatic plants, and other livestock before purchasing, importing, possessing, or offering them for sale.
• Ensure all required licenses, permits, and regulatory documentation are maintained and current.
• Coordinate business licenses, city permits, inspections, and regulatory requirements, including working with contractors, inspectors, and municipal departments as necessary.
• Maintain accurate business records and oversee administrative responsibilities.
• Identify opportunities to improve store efficiency, customer satisfaction, and business growth.

2. Aquatic Livestock Care & Husbandry

• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of freshwater and saltwater fish, aquatic plants, corals, and other aquatic organisms commonly sold in the aquarium trade.
• Accurately identify aquatic species and understand their natural habitats, behaviors, dietary requirements, compatibility, and environmental needs.
• Recognize signs of stress, disease, parasites, and abnormal behavior, and implement appropriate quarantine, treatment, and preventive husbandry procedures.
• Maintain high standards of animal welfare and ensure that all livestock receives proper care.
• Oversee aquarium water quality, filtration, temperature, salinity, and other essential water parameters.
• Demonstrate proficiency with aquarium life‑support systems, including biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration, plumbing, and water circulation.
• Supervise livestock acclimation, feeding, quarantine, and maintenance procedures.
• Minimize livestock losses through effective husbandry practices and proactive health monitoring.
• Stay informed about aquarium industry trends, livestock availability, customer demand, and popular species.
• Make informed livestock purchasing decisions based on species suitability, customer interest, seasonal availability, and profitability.

3. Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate store employees.
• Establish clear performance expectations and promote accountability, professionalism, and teamwork.
• Create a positive, respectful, and collaborative work environment.
• Train employees in aquatic husbandry, species identification, customer service, product knowledge, and store procedures.
• Develop employee schedules and ensure adequate staffing for daily operations.
• Address employee concerns, resolve workplace conflicts, and maintain effective communication between management and staff.
• Lead by example through a hands‑on management approach, actively assisting employees with daily tasks when necessary.
• Participate in aquarium cleaning, water changes, gravel vacuuming, filtration maintenance, livestock feeding, and other husbandry duties alongside the team.
• Balance administrative and managerial responsibilities with active participation in daily store operations.

4. Sales, Customer Service & Inventory Management

• Provide knowledgeable guidance to customers regarding fish selection, species compatibility, aquarium setup, nutrition, disease prevention, and long‑term aquarium care.
• Ensure employees provide accurate, responsible, and professional advice.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers, livestock wholesalers, equipment manufacturers, and service providers.
• Manage inventory levels, product ordering, stock rotation, and merchandise presentation.
• Analyze customer purchasing trends and identify high‑demand livestock, equipment, and supplies.
• Develop effective pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with profitability.
• Oversee point‑of‑sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and e‑commerce operations.
• Resolve customer complaints and ensure a consistently positive shopping experience.
• Support marketing initiatives, promotions, and strategies to attract and retain customers.
• Must be comfortable appearing on camera and participating in educational videos, product demonstrations and promotional content for the company’s website, social media and other marketing initiatives.

5. Facility Maintenance, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all aquarium systems, equipment, and store facilities are properly maintained and operating safely.
• Coordinate repairs, maintenance, and improvements with contractors and service providers.
• Maintain compliance with workplace safety requirements, animal welfare standards, and applicable environmental regulations.
• Oversee proper storage, handling, and use of aquarium chemicals, medications, and cleaning products.
• Ensure proper documentation, maintenance schedules, and safety procedures are followed.
• Coordinate required permits, inspections, and facility compliance matters with the appropriate regulatory authorities.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a General Manager in a tropical fish store, aquarium specialty retailer, aquaculture facility, or closely related aquatic livestock business.
• Demonstrated experience managing daily business operations, employees, finances, payroll, and inventory.
• Extensive knowledge of freshwater and saltwater aquarium livestock, including species identification, feeding requirements, habitat preferences, behavior, compatibility, and health.
• Strong understanding of aquatic animal diseases, preventive care, quarantine protocols, and aquarium husbandry.
• Proficiency in aquarium filtration systems, water chemistry, life‑support equipment, and routine maintenance.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, livestock procurement, retail pricing, and inventory control.
• Ability to manage budgets, analyze financial performance, control operating expenses, and improve profitability.
• Experience coordinating business permits, inspections, licensing, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced retail environment.
• Willingness and ability to perform hands‑on aquarium maintenance and livestock care alongside employees.
• Strong customer service skills and a commitment to responsible aquatic animal care.
• Availability to work weekends, holidays, and flexible schedules as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Marine Biology, Biology, Fisheries Science, Aquaculture, Zoology, or a closely related scientific field from an accredited college or university.
• Additional education or professional training in business administration, retail management, or finance.
• Experience managing both freshwater and saltwater aquarium systems.
• Knowledge of coral husbandry, reef aquarium systems, aquatic plants, and specialized aquatic livestock.
• Experience with commercial aquarium display systems, plumbing, and life‑support infrastructure.
• Familiarity with Lightspeed Retail POS, inventory management platforms, and e‑commerce systems such as Squarespace.
• Experience coordinating commercial facility permits, inspections, and regulatory requirements in California.
• Demonstrated success in increasing sales, reducing livestock mortality, improving operational efficiency, and developing effective teams.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for more than someone who can simply manage a retail store. Our ideal General Manager is an experienced aquarium professional who understands both the business and biological aspects of operating a successful tropical fish store.

The successful candidate must be equally comfortable reviewing financial reports, managing payroll, coordinating city permits, training employees, advising customers, and maintaining aquarium systems.

We value a manager who leads by example, takes initiative, holds high standards for animal welfare, and understands that no task is beneath them. Whether addressing a business issue or assisting employees with cleaning aquariums, the General Manager should be willing to contribute wherever needed.

Above all, we are seeking a dependable, knowledgeable, and motivated leader who can help Aqua Land maintain exceptional livestock care while building a successful and sustainable business.

Compensation

• Salary: $60,000 - 70,000 per year
• Compensation will be determined based on relevant management experience, aquatic industry expertise, education, and demonstrated qualifications.
• Work Schedule: Full-Time, including weekends as required.

We look forward to welcoming an experienced and dedicated General Manager to our team!