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.
Core Values
- 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.
- Let’s 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’ve been where the pets go for more than 60 years, providing everything they need to live their best lives. Petco serves over 1,500 stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. We support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals.
Your Grooming Salon Leader Career
As a Grooming Salon Leader, you will lead salon operations and team members while delivering expert grooming services to valued customers’ pets. Your passion for people and pets will ensure a positive experience for our partners and exceptional care for every pet.
Skills and Benefits
- Competitive Pay plus incentive based on salon performance and tips (in accordance with the Grooming Salon Leader Incentive Plan).
- Medical, dental, vision and more.
- 401(k) and more.
- Paid Time Off.
- Petco Discounts.
- All the supplies & equipment you need, including brushes, nail trimmers, clippers, blades, shampoo, sprays, tools, etc.
- State‑of‑the‑art equipment, including bathing system, kennels, tables, and dryers.
- Career development and growth opportunities, such as Grooming Mentor and Grooming Instructor.
Job Summary
The Grooming Salon Leader’s primary purpose is to lead and manage grooming salon operations and team members, deliver high customer satisfaction, foster a positive work environment, drive salon performance, and develop and coach both entry‑level and seasoned groomers. In addition, the Grooming Salon Leader is responsible for performing expert‑level grooming services including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts, styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning and gland cleaning, while prioritizing the safety, comfort and well‑being of the pets in our care.
Essential Job Functions
- Oversee day‑to‑day salon operations, ensuring smooth and efficient workflows, optimize scheduling and grooming capacity, manage inventory and execute staffing plans.
- Recruit, hire, train and supervise a team of grooming staff, provide coaching, feedback, training, performance evaluations and foster a positive, collaborative work environment.
- Create and manage efficient grooming schedules that optimize salon capacity, maximize productivity and accommodate customer demand.
- Monitor salon performance metrics such as revenue, customer satisfaction and partner productivity; analyze data to identify improvement areas and develop action plans.
- Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives and drive growth and profitability.
- Interact professionally with pet parents, provide exceptional customer service, address grooming related inquiries and provide recommendations.
- Stay up‑to‑date with grooming industry trends and best practices to enhance your and your team’s skills.
- Perform professional grooming services including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts, styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, gland cleaning, according to client instructions and company policies.
- Operate and maintain grooming instruments such as clippers, blades, shears, brushes, dryers.
- Evaluate individual pet needs considering coat, type, skin conditions and temperament.
- Educate pet parents on grooming maintenance and home care practices to promote pet health.
- Ensure well‑being and safety of every animal in the salon, monitor for signs of discomfort, illness or injury and report concerns promptly.
- Maintain a clean and safe grooming area; disinfect and sanitize tools and equipment; perform daily and weekly cleaning duties; adhere to Petco hygiene and sanitation policies.
- Apply Petco grooming policies, standards and guidelines to ensure safety, quality and consistency; hold salon team members accountable.
Education and Experience
- Minimum 2 years’ experience as a professional groomer and/or completion of a technical grooming training program.
- Strong leadership skills and desire to lead, train and develop people; 1–2 years of prior salon management experience preferred.
- High‑school diploma or GED preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with pet parents and team members.
- Expert knowledge of dog breeds, grooming requirements, common health issues and behaviors.
- Expert‑level proficiency in breed‑specific cuts, styling techniques and grooming standards.
- Passion for animals and commitment to a grooming career.
- Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving skills; able to resolve moderately complex situations with guidance from Solutions Manager or Store General Manager.
- Results‑driven with commitment to salon productivity, performance, growth and improvement.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to grooming service excellence.
- Capable of handling pets of all sizes and temperaments with care.
- Availability to work full time, minimum 35 hours per week, including weekends, evenings and holidays as needed by the groomers schedule.
Work Environment
Job duties are largely performed indoors. The position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 lbs if necessary), standing for long periods, and may involve heights or use of a two‑step ladder or vacuums for cleaning duties. Noise and wet conditions will be present.
Benefits
See Petco Total Rewards for detailed information on health, financial benefits, 401(k), incentives and PTO.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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.