Grooming Salon Manager

Petco; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 20,664 - 38,572; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k)

Petco discounts

Job summary

Petco is seeking a Grooming Salon Leader in DeKalb, Illinois, to oversee salon operations and team members while delivering exceptional grooming services. The role includes leadership responsibilities and hands-on grooming to ensure pets leave looking and feeling their best.

The ideal candidate will have 2+ years of professional grooming experience and strong leadership skills to lead the salon team effectively. Benefits include competitive pay between $15.00 – $28.00 per hour, medical, dental, vision, and more.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as a professional groomer.
• 1–2 years of salon management experience preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day grooming salon operations.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of groomers.
• Create and manage efficient grooming schedules.
• Monitor salon performance metrics.
• Provide exceptional customer service to pet parents.

Skills

Leadership skills

Expert knowledge of dog breeds

Verbal and written communication

Problem-solving abilities

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Overview

Petco Discounts. 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.

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 meals and toys to trusted supplies and expert support. We are 29,000+ strong and operate 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. We founded Petco Love in 1999 and support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide, helping find homes for millions of animals through in-store adoption events.

Job Summary

The Grooming Salon Leader leads salon operations and salon team members, delivering expert grooming services to customers’ pets. The role combines leadership with hands-on grooming to ensure a positive experience for partners and exceptional care for every pet, leaving them looking and feeling their best.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day grooming salon operations, ensure smooth workflows, optimize scheduling and grooming capacity, manage inventory, and execute staffing plans.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team from entry-level to professional groomers; provide coaching, feedback, training, and performance evaluations.
• Create and manage efficient grooming schedules to maximize productivity and accommodate customer demand while covering peak hours.
• Monitor salon performance metrics (revenue, customer satisfaction, partner productivity) and develop action plans for improvement.
• Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives, driving growth and profitability.
• Interact professionally with pet parents, provide exceptional customer service, address inquiries, offer grooming recommendations, and resolve concerns promptly.
• Stay informed about grooming industry trends and best practices to enhance skills across the team.
• Independently perform professional grooming services (bathing, drying, brushing, cuts, styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, gland cleaning) per pet parent instructions and breed standards.
• Operate and maintain grooming equipment (clippers, blades, shears, brushes, dryers).
• Evaluate each pet’s needs (coat, type, skin conditions, temperament) and tailor services accordingly.
• Educate pet parents on grooming maintenance and home care products to promote overall well-being.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of every animal in the salon; monitor for signs of distress and report concerns to owners and management.
• Perform quality checks to maintain a clean and sanitary grooming area; disinfect tools and equipment and perform cleaning duties per Petco policies.
• Apply Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure safety, quality, and consistency; hold team members accountable for safety and quality.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as a professional groomer and/or completion of a technical grooming training program.
• Strong leadership skills with 1–2 years of salon management experience preferred.
• High school diploma or GED preferred, though not required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and team members.
• Expert knowledge of dog breeds, grooming requirements, health issues, and behaviors; proficiency in breed-specific cuts and grooming standards.
• Genuine passion for animals and a desire to continue a career in pet grooming.
• Strong decision making and problem-solving abilities with guidance as needed.
• Results-driven with focus on salon productivity, performance, and growth.
• Attention to detail to ensure high-quality grooming services.
• Ability to handle pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy.
• Availability to work full-time (minimum 35 hours per week), including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.

Work Environment

Most duties are performed indoors in the grooming salon. You may need to bend, kneel, lift up to 30 pounds, and stand for long periods. Exposure to heights and noisy, wet environments is possible. A significant amount of time is spent in direct contact with pets and pet parents.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $15.00 – $28.00 per hour, with pay determined by position, location, experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. Pay ranges comply with state-specific regulations and may vary by area. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k), and Petco discounts. Detailed benefits information is available at Petco careers.

Equal 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.