Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • Clemson, SC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Grooming Salon Leader leads and manages grooming salon operations and team members while delivering expert grooming services to customers’ pets. The role is responsible for customer satisfaction, a positive work environment, salon performance, and coaching and developing groomers at varying experience levels. The leader also performs expert grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, while prioritizing pets’ safety, comfort, and well-being.

The position oversees salon workflows, scheduling, staffing, inventory, team development, performance metrics, customer interactions, and compliance with Petco grooming, safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards. The role works primarily indoors in a grooming salon and involves direct contact with pets, pet parents, and salon team members. The environment may be noisy and wet.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience as a professional groomer and/or completion of a technical grooming training program.
• Strong leadership skills and a desire to lead, train, and develop people.
• Very 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-level 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 the ability to resolve moderately complex situations with guidance from the Solutions Manager or Store General Manager when necessary.
• Results-driven commitment to salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to execute grooming services accurately and to high standards.
• 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 by the grooming schedule.
• Ability to bend, kneel, lift up to 30 pounds as necessary, and stand for long periods.
• Ability to work in a potentially noisy and wet environment and, when needed, work at heights using a two-step ladder or support tools for cleaning and maintenance.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day grooming salon operations, workflows, scheduling, grooming capacity, inventory, and staffing plans.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate grooming salon team members, fostering teamwork and professional development.
• Create and manage grooming schedules that optimize capacity and productivity, accommodate customer demand, and provide coverage during peak hours.
• Monitor salon performance metrics, including revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity, and develop improvement plans.
• Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives and drive growth, customer expansion, and profitability.
• Provide professional customer service to pet parents, respond to grooming inquiries, make recommendations, and resolve concerns.
• Keep current with grooming industry trends and best practices and develop personal and team grooming skills.
• Perform professional grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, in accordance with customer instructions, breed standards, and company policies.
• Operate and maintain grooming instruments, including clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers.
• Evaluate each pet’s coat, skin condition, temperament, and individual needs.
• Educate pet parents and provide custom recommendations for grooming maintenance, home care, and products.
• Monitor pets’ well-being and safety, identify signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Maintain a clean and safe salon, perform quality checks, disinfect and sanitize tools and equipment, complete daily and weekly cleaning duties, and carry out other assigned cleaning and maintenance tasks.
• Apply Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines and hold salon team members accountable for safety and quality.

Benefits

• Competitive pay with incentives based on salon performance and tips.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k).
• Paid time off.
• Petco discounts.
• Supplies and equipment for grooming.
• Career development and growth opportunities, including Grooming Mentor and Grooming Instructor roles.

What This Job Offers

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