Pet Groomer & Salon Trainer

PetSmart; East Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in pet care is seeking a passionate Salon Experience Lead who thrives in a dynamic environment. This role involves providing exceptional grooming services and leading a team of associates to ensure the highest standards of pet care. You'll play a key role in developing new talent while engaging with pet parents and enhancing their experience. If you have a love for pets and a knack for leadership, this position offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day. Join a team that celebrates diversity and values the unique contributions of every associate.

Benefits

Health benefits: medical, dental, vision

401k

Tuition assistance

Associate discounts and perks

Paid time off for fulltime associates

Career pathing

Development opportunities

Paid weekly

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of grooming experience required.
• Strong communication and organizational skills essential for this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the development of grooming associates.
• Ensure high-quality service and pet care standards are met.
• Engage with pet parents and promote salon services.

Skills

Grooming experience

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Technical proficiency with tools

Ability to work under pressure

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Grooming tools and equipment

Computer applications

Job description

PetSmart does Anything for Pets and Everything for You – JOIN OUR TEAM!

Pet Groomer and Salon Trainer

About Life at PetSmart

At PetSmart, we’re more than just a company obsessed with pets; we’re obsessed with our people too. Our values are rooted in unconditional love—a lesson we learn from our pets—and staying united together. We believe when our associates are happy and healthy, they can provide the best possible care for our furry, scaled, and feathery friends while enjoying a work experience that celebrates them as their authentic selves.

Benefits that benefit you

Take care of yourself and your family members—whether they be two-legged or four, have feathers, fur or fins. Enjoy true rewards (plus lots of warm, fuzzy feelings)! Check out some of our awesome offerings:

• Paid weekly
• Full time hours
• Health benefits: medical, dental, vision
• 401k
• Tuition assistance
• Associate discounts and perks
• Paid time off for fulltime associates
• Career pathing
• Development opportunities

JOB SUMMARY

PetSmart’s Salon Experience Lead (Groomer & Salon Trainer) is responsible for providing exceptional service to pet parents and supporting a high performing team while upholding the company’s vision, mission, values, and strategy. This role will deliver professional quality services with the utmost focus on quality and care of pets. The Salon Experience Lead will support the development of bathers and new stylists, seeing them through the entire pet stylist development program.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following and may vary depending on store characteristics and needs:

People Leadership:

• Facilitates the associate experience and supports associate development. This includes but is not limited to training, onboarding, mentoring, and coaching for growth, as well as providing feedback into associate performance reviews, disciplinary action, and promotions.
• Responsible for developing new and existing associates through bather and/or stylist certification process.
• Identifies candidates internally to attend academy training to become stylists.
• Delegate and validate completion of daily tasks for salon.
• Address and administer associate complaints and grievances.
• Recognizes and celebrates associates driving overall associate engagement.

Salon and Overall Store Experience:

• Responsible for pet parent experience and the outcomes of interactions conducted over the telephone, in person or online, and responding to general pet parent concerns.
• Greets and supports pet parents, answers their questions and recommends wellness solutions based on the pets’ need.
• Engages with pet parents at checkout to drive connection and rebooking.
• Communicates and drives pet parent engagement around marketing promotions.
• Utilizes salon tools including the booking system and call logs to make reservations and conduct necessary appointment calls.
• Maintains store standards and leads a culture of empowerment by ensuring compliance to our policies and procedures (P&Ps) and code of ethics.
• Independently performs full menu of bath, brush and grooming services and standalone services, such as nail trims, teeth brushing, and sanitary services in accordance with PetSmart’s bathing standards and procedures.
• Promotes opportunities to grow salon sales to help achieve sales targets and productivity, and any other relevant salon metrics.
• Maintains operational standards including cleanliness, sanitation, and humane conditions for all pets in the grooming area.
• Responsible for taking immediate action and reporting when a sick/injured pet is identified in the store; transport to the vet as needed.
• Maintains communication with Experience Leader on business trends and provides best practices to suggest for implementation.
• Communicates and reports any facilities or supply needs to the Experience Leader or Leader on Duty.
• Recommends, informs, and sells services and merchandise.
• Assists and works in other departments as required. Other duties may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years grooming experience; may be asked to complete a technical exam.
• Full time availability required, flexibility in schedule, able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Proficiency with use of tools, equipment and products to perform technical work safely.
• Proficiency in computer applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to react under pressure and maintain composure.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and safety measures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct reports, however, are expected to guide and support the development of other associates.
• Provides feedback on associate performance to direct supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Associate required to stand, walk, climb a ladder, and use hands to handle, feel, hold, write, etc. The associate frequently is required to reach with hands and arms: stoop, kneel, crouch, talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally team lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, as well as a wet environment with an abundance of pet hair. The noise level is moderate in the work environment; however, associates may be exposed to high levels of noise at times. Exposure to live animals and their handling is common.

Do what you love

Join us for a chance to make a meaningful impact every day. Whether it's helping a customer choose their first fish, celebrating a pet's birthday, or seeing the smile on a pet parent’s face after a fresh groom—you'll create moments that matter. At PetSmart, we cherish diversity and the unique perspectives of our 50,000 associates, all united by a passion for pets.

We’re delighted you’re interested in joining our pack and helping us in our commitment to doing Anything for Pets, and the people who love them. We're excited to hear your story and learn more about you! Apply Now!