General Manager - Columbia, MD

Petco•Columbia, MD

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Petco is a company dedicated to helping pets live their best lives, guided by core values: Pet First, Foster the Fun, and Let’s Go! Own & Commit. For over 60 years, Petco has been a trusted resource for pet parents, offering everything from food and toys to expert support. The company operates over 1,500 Petco stores, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics, and eight distribution centers, employing over 29,000 individuals. Petco also founded Petco Love in 1999, which supports animal welfare groups and has helped approximately 7 million animals find homes. As a General Manager, you are responsible for leading a high-performing Pet Care Center, ensuring pets are prioritized, partners are inspired, customers are delighted, and strong business results are achieved. This role involves owning the business, being accountable for people, performance, and process, and serving as a role model for leadership. With a passion for pets and people, you will build engaged teams, drive profitable growth, and maintain the highest standards of animal care, safety, and customer experience.

Requirements

3+ years of management experience
Strong people leadership, coaching, and talent development skills
Solid business, financial, and operational acumen
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational abilities
A genuine passion for pets and customer service
Completion of Petco leadership development programs may be required for internal candidates

Nice To Haves

Retail leadership experience
High school diploma or GED

Responsibilities

Champion the health, safety, and humane care of all animals, ensuring Petco standards and policies are consistently met.
Create an environment where pets and pet parents feel welcomed, supported, and cared for.
Lead with integrity, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right for pets.
Build and lead an inclusive, energized team that embodies the Petco brand and delivers exceptional service.
Attract, hire, train, coach, and develop diverse talent across all roles within the Pet Care Center.
Create a positive, collaborative culture where partners feel engaged, supported, and empowered to grow.
Lead by example — coaching in the moment, celebrating wins, and making work meaningful and fun.
Own the business: drive sales growth, profitability, and operational excellence.
Analyze financial and operational results, identify opportunities, and take decisive action to improve performance.
Manage labor, payroll, and expenses to maximize productivity and results.
Execute merchandising, inventory, and operational processes to brand and safety standards.
Represent Petco in the community by leading local events, adoption initiatives, and partnerships that strengthen our impact.
Develop a strong leadership bench and succession plan.
Lead performance management, coaching, and accountability for all partners.
Promote continuous learning, growth, and career development.
Foster a culture of teamwork, inclusion, and shared ownership.
Meet or exceed sales, profitability, and operational goals.
Leverage Petco tools, programs, and insights to grow the business.
Review and act on reporting, audits, and Pet Care Center visits.
Ensure safe opening and closing procedures and adherence to security protocols.
Maintain store appearance, cleanliness, and safety standards.
Protect pets, partners, and merchandise through strong loss prevention and inventory controls.
Complete required administrative, payroll, and inventory tasks accurately and on time.