Lead, Core Services Projects

Petco; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Petco is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead core Pet Services initiatives and drive cross-functional collaboration across Finance, IT, Store Operations, and Business Partners. You will own project scope, timelines, and budgets while delivering outcomes that align with Petco’s strategic goals.

The role requires strong writing and communication skills, a track record in fast-paced environments, and a passion for using technology to improve efficiency and client service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of project management experience.
• PM certification or similar preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint) and PM collaboration tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of core services projects from initiation through closure using PMO standards.
• Develop project scope, deliverables, schedules, resources, and budgets with leadership input.
• Create and maintain master project plans, risk logs, action items, and dashboards.
• Coordinate internal resources and third-party vendors for smooth execution and milestones.
• Monitor budgets and financial forecasts to maintain cost controls.
• Perform risk assessments and present solutions to leadership and stakeholders.
• Conduct post-review retrospectives to capture lessons learned for future projects.
• Serve as a SME and project lead for cross-functional partners to support successful delivery.

Skills

Project management

Written communication

Detail-oriented

Self-starter

Fast-paced work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/finance or related field

Project Management certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Project management tools

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.
• 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’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.

Responsible for leading, planning, and executing projects within the Core Pet Services Organization including coordinating, managing, prioritizing project tasks, and managing risk across multiple work streams, key stakeholders, and timelines. This role provides project leadership and subject matter expertise to ensure business and operational projects within Core Pet Services align with overall Petco organizational strategy and are delivered on schedule, within budget, and achieve intended Key Performance Indicators.

The position will work in partnership with cross functional teams across Petco including but not limited to: Pet Services Partners across all levels, Finance, Accounting, IT, and Store Operations.

Essential Job Functions

The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of core services projects from initiation through closure using project management methodologies
• Develop project scope, deliverables, schedules, resource requirements, and budget estimates in collaboration with leadership and stakeholders
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including detailed master project plans, risk logs, action items, and status dashboards
• Coordinate internal resources and third-party vendors to ensure smooth project execution and milestone delivery
• Monitor, evaluate, and recommend and develop improvements to internal controls, systems, and processes for core services.
• Coordinate internal resources and third-party vendors to ensure smooth project execution and milestone delivery
• Track and monitor project budgets, expenses, financial forecasts to maintain cost controls
• Identify and upscale critical issues to leadership and key stakeholders with risk assessments and recommended solutions
• Utilize PMO standards, tools, and best practices across all core services project workflows
• Conduct post-review reviews (retrospectives) to capture key lessons learned and incorporate insights into future project frameworks
• Serve as a subject matter resource and project lead for cross-functional partners, providing guidance and expertise to support successful project delivery.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position is an individual contributor role and does not have direct supervisory responsibility.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Perform additional duties and special projects with pet services as a whole, as assigned
• Work with cross-functional partners to continue to innovate and improve pet the client and partners

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field or equivalent experience. Project Management certification or similar preferred.
• 8+ years of project management experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (including strong Excel and PowerPoint skills) and Project Management collaboration tools.
• Must have excellent writing, interpersonal communication and multi-tasking skills and be detail oriented.
• Self-starter and ability to manage and drive projects to completion.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for innovation and using technology to drive efficiency. Aspire to continuously provide exceptional client service to all internal business partners.
• Desire to Learn
  • Demonstrates flexibility and resilience in response to obstacles, constraints, adversity, and mistakes.
  • Constructively and resourcefully adapts to changing needs, conditions, priorities, or opportunities.
  • Seeks out opportunities to learn from new discoveries, innovations, ways of looking at things, knowledge, and ideas.
  • Invites and incorporates both giving and receiving productive and well-intentioned feedback.
• Drives for Results
  • Initiates decisive, timely action to address critical issues.
  • Demonstrates a strong sense of ownership and a commitment to achieving meaningful results.
  • Sets challenging, clear goals/targets and expectations for achieving business results.
  • Drives initiatives/efforts while taking personal responsibility to make decisions and execute on actions.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Salary Range: $100,100.00 - $166,100.00

Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO - see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits

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.

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