Grooming Salon Manager

Petco; Union City (NJ); On-site; USD 20,664 - 38,572; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay + Incentives

Medical, dental, vision

401k

Paid Time Off

Petco Discounts

Job summary

Petco in Union City, NJ is hiring a Grooming Salon Leader to oversee salon operations and manage the grooming team. This role includes ensuring high customer satisfaction and performing grooming services such as bathing, haircuts, and nail trimming.

The ideal candidate has a passion for grooming, leadership experience, and is proficient in various grooming techniques and standards. Full-time availability, including weekends, is required.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as a professional groomer.
• Strong leadership skills with previous management experience preferred.
• Expert-level proficiency in breed-specific cuts and grooming standards.
• Genuine passion for animals and career in pet grooming.
• Strong decision-making skills in moderately complex situations.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership skills

Verbal and written communication

Expert knowledge of dog breeds

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Education

High-school diploma or GED

Tools

Grooming tools and equipment

Job description

Job Summary

The Grooming Salon Leader’s primary purpose is to lead and manage grooming salon operations and grooming salon team members. The Grooming Salon Leader is responsible for delivering a high level of customer satisfaction, fostering a positive work environment, driving salon performance, and developing and coaching 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 and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, while also prioritizing the safety, comfort, and well‑being of the pets in our care. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced groomers with proven technical expertise and leadership skills who are interested in growing and developing a team.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the grooming salon, ensure smooth and efficient workflows, optimize scheduling and grooming capacity, manage inventory levels in the salon, and execute staffing plans.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of entry-level trainees up to professional level grooming staff, provide coaching, feedback, training, and performance evaluations, while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment that encourages teamwork, professional growth, and continuous learning and development.
• Create and manage efficient grooming schedules that optimize salon capacity, maximize productivity, and accommodate customer demand, balance team availability with business needs, ensuring coverage during peak hours.
• Monitor salon performance metrics such as revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity, analyze data to identify areas for improvement, and develop action plans.
• Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives, implementing strategies to drive growth, expand the customer base, and boost profitability.
• Interact professionally and effectively with pet parents, provide exceptional customer service, address grooming related inquiries, offer grooming recommendations, and provide timely and proactive resolution to questions or concerns.
• Stay abreast of grooming industry trends and best practices to enhance your grooming skills and your teams' skills.
• Independently perform professional grooming services including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, according to pet parent's instructions and adhering to breed standards and company policies and procedures.
• Operate and maintain various grooming instruments, including clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers.
• Evaluate individual needs of each pet, taking into consideration coat, type, skin conditions, temperament.
• Educate and provide custom recommendations to pet parents on grooming maintenance and home care practices & products to promote the overall well‑being of the pet.
• Always ensure the well‑being and safety of every animal in the salon, monitor pets for any signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report any concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Perform quality checks to maintain a clean and safe grooming area and salon, disinfect and sanitize grooming tools and equipment, perform daily and weekly cleaning duties in the salon and in adherence to Petco hygiene and sanitation policies, other cleaning and maintenance tasks as assigned, including but not limited to cleaning air filters, vents, and drains.
• Utilize expert knowledge and understanding of Petco's grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure safety, quality, and consistency in all activities and areas of the grooming business, ensuring standards are maintained in grooming salon, holding salon team members accountable for safety and quality standards.

Education and Experience

• 2 or more years of experience as a professional groomer and/or completion of a technical grooming training program.
• Strong leadership skills, with the desire to lead, train, and develop people, with 1-2 years previous experience of salon management, or related field, preferred.
• High‑school diploma or GED preferred, though not required.
• Very strong verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and grooming team members.
• Expert knowledge of various dog breeds, grooming requirements, common health issues and behaviors.
• Expert‑level proficiency in breed‑specific cuts, styling techniques, and grooming standards.
• Genuine passion for animals with a desire to continue a career in pet grooming.
• Strong decision making and problem‑solving skills, using grooming experience and knowledge to solve problems in moderately complex situations, with guidance from Solutions Manager or Store General Manager when necessary.
• Results‑driven, with focused commitment on salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail, ensuring grooming services are executed accurately and to the highest standards.
• Capable of handling pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy.
• Available to work full time at a minimum of 35 per week, including weekends, evenings, and holidays, as needed by the Pet Care Center's grooming schedule.

Work Environment

The majority of job duties are conducted indoors in the grooming salon. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. Position may require exposure to heights using a two‑step ladder or other support tools, such as vacuums, to perform assigned cleaning and maintenance duties. A large amount of this partner's time will be spent in direct contact with our pet parents and their dogs, and the remaining time will be with the other salon partners. The work environment can be noisy and wet.

Salary Range

$15.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits

• Competitive Pay + Incentive based on salon performance + Tips (Payment in accordance to the Grooming Salon Leader Incentive Plan details)
• Medical, dental, vision and more
• 401k 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

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.