Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • Portage, IN

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Grooming Salon Leader leads and manages grooming salon operations and team members while delivering expert grooming services. The role is accountable for customer satisfaction, salon performance, a positive work environment, and developing groomers at different experience levels. The leader also performs professional grooming services, prioritizing each pet’s safety, comfort, and well-being.

The position oversees salon workflows, scheduling, capacity, inventory, and staffing. It includes recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, coaching, and evaluating salon staff; monitoring performance metrics; and working with store management to meet sales and salon objectives. The role also provides customer service and grooming recommendations, maintains grooming skills and industry knowledge, and ensures grooming and sanitation standards are followed.

Grooming work includes bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning. The role is primarily indoors in a grooming salon, involves direct contact with pets and pet parents, and may be noisy and wet. The position requires bending, kneeling, standing for extended periods, lifting up to 30 pounds as needed, and may involve using a two-step ladder or support tools for cleaning and maintenance. Full-time availability of at least 35 hours per week is required, including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of professional grooming experience and/or completion of a technical grooming training program.
• Strong leadership skills and a desire to lead, train, and develop people.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and grooming team members.
• Expert knowledge of dog breeds, grooming requirements, common health issues, and behaviors.
• Expert proficiency in breed-specific cuts, styling techniques, and grooming standards.
• Genuine passion for animals and interest in continuing a career in pet grooming.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, including handling moderately complex situations with guidance from a Solutions Manager or Store General Manager when necessary.
• Results-driven focus on salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, high-standard grooming services.
• Ability to handle pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy.
• Availability to work full time, at least 35 hours per week, including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to bend, kneel, lift up to 30 pounds as needed, and stand for long periods.
• Ability to work in a noisy and wet grooming environment and potentially use a two-step ladder or other support tools for assigned cleaning and maintenance duties.

Nice To Haves

• 1–2 years of previous salon management experience or experience in a related field.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily salon operations, workflows, scheduling and grooming capacity, inventory, and staffing plans.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate grooming team members, fostering teamwork and professional development.
• Create grooming schedules that balance team availability and business needs while accommodating customer demand and peak hours.
• Monitor salon revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity; identify opportunities and develop action plans.
• Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives and to grow the customer base and profitability.
• Provide professional customer service, answer grooming-related questions, make recommendations, and resolve concerns.
• Keep grooming knowledge and skills current with industry trends and best practices, and support the development of team skills.
• Perform professional grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, following customer instructions, breed standards, and company policies.
• Operate and maintain grooming instruments, including clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers.
• Assess each pet’s coat, skin condition, temperament, and individual needs.
• Educate pet parents and recommend grooming maintenance, home-care practices, and products.
• Safeguard pets in the salon, monitor for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Maintain a clean and safe salon; disinfect and sanitize tools and equipment; complete daily and weekly cleaning and assigned maintenance tasks.
• Apply Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines and hold salon team members accountable for safety and quality.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives based on salon performance, and tips.
• Medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
• 401(k).
• Paid time off.
• Petco discounts.
• Grooming supplies and equipment provided.
• State-of-the-art grooming equipment provided.
• Career development and growth opportunities, including Grooming Mentor and Grooming Instructor paths.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED