Animal Care Supervisor

Petco•River Forest, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Companion Animal Supervisor is a subject-matter leader responsible for the health, care, and presentation of live animals while supporting sales, customer experience, and operational excellence in the Companion Animal and Aquatics departments. The role combines a commitment to animal welfare with operational discipline and business acumen, and leads through expertise, coaching, and influence. The supervisor ensures animals receive appropriate care and that teams follow Petco standards, policies, and veterinary protocols. They coach partners to provide knowledgeable, compassionate service; maintain high standards of cleanliness and presentation; and support department performance through sales, margin, inventory, and shrink management. The role also serves as Leader on Duty in support of Pet Care Center operations. This full-time position is primarily based in a Pet Care Center retail environment, with regular presence on the sales floor and occasional work outside the center for duties such as bank deposits, merchandise transport, or community events. Limited travel may be required for training, meetings, or community engagement. Flexible availability is required to support operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

At least 1 year of supervisory experience; preferably in a pet retail environment.
Strong knowledge of companion animals, aquatics, and animal-care practices.
Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Strong focus on customer service and people development.
Ability to safely lift and move merchandise, supplies, or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
Flexible availability to support Pet Care Center operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to work in proximity to animals, including exposure to animal dander, odors, noises, and cleaning chemicals.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Supervisory experience in a pet retail environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of live animals by following Petco standards, policies, and veterinary protocols.
Complete and oversee hourly animal health checks, wellness cards, and required documentation.
Ensure proper handling, care, and documentation of adoption animals, and respond appropriately to sick or injured animals in alignment with veterinary protocols.
Coach and mentor partners in compassionate, knowledgeable customer interactions and Petco selling behaviors.
Create a welcoming and engaging environment in the Companion Animal and Aquatics areas through high presentation standards.
Promote teamwork, inclusion, and collaboration, and model customer service expectations.
Drive Companion Animal and Aquatics sales, margin, and shrink performance through disciplined execution.
Analyze business trends, identify opportunities, and implement improvement plans.
Order live animals to balance animal welfare, inventory, sales, and margin goals.
Support Omni-Channel execution, including BOPUS, ship-from-store, curbside, and endless aisle.
Serve as Leader on Duty, supporting Pet Care Center operations, communication, safety, and compliance.
Execute Companion Animal and Aquatics operations, including animal care, maintenance, ordering, regulatory compliance, CAPI, HAHC, CAPC, and veterinary partnerships.
Ensure animal maintenance tasks are completed according to the Maintenance Task List and maintain operational, safety, and regulatory standards.
Maintain cleanliness, care, and visual presentation in animal areas.
Process transactions efficiently while delivering a positive customer experience.
Monitor sales, margin, and inventory reports to support department performance.
Share product and animal-care knowledge to help customers make informed decisions using Petco’s selling strategy.
Train, coach, and develop partners in animal care, selling behaviors, and operational routines.
Provide ongoing feedback and support to strengthen partner performance and engagement.
Assist with additional duties as needed to support business needs.