Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • Charlottesville, VA

17d • Onsite

About The Position

The Grooming Salon Leader leads grooming salon operations and team members while delivering expert grooming services. The role is responsible for customer satisfaction, a positive work environment, salon performance, and the coaching and development of entry-level and experienced groomers. The leader also performs grooming services such as bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, prioritizing each pet’s safety, comfort, and well-being.

This position oversees salon workflows, scheduling, capacity, inventory, and staffing. It recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates team members; monitors performance metrics; and works with store management to meet sales targets and salon objectives. The leader serves pet parents, provides grooming recommendations, and resolves questions or concerns.

The role also independently performs professional grooming to pet-parent instructions, breed standards, and company policies. It assesses each pet’s coat, skin, needs, and temperament; advises pet parents on at-home care; maintains grooming tools and equipment; and ensures animal safety, cleanliness, sanitation, and consistent quality standards.

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.
• 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 solving moderately complex situations with guidance when necessary.
• Results-driven commitment to salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to deliver grooming services accurately and to high standards.
• Ability to handle pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy.
• Available 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 necessary, and stand for long periods.

Nice To Haves

• One to two years of previous salon management experience or experience in a related field.
• High school diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day salon operations, workflows, scheduling, 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 optimize salon capacity and productivity, meet customer demand, and provide coverage during peak hours.
• Monitor salon revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity; identify opportunities for improvement and develop action plans.
• Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives and to grow the customer base and profitability.
• Provide pet parents with professional customer service, grooming recommendations, and timely resolution of questions or 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.
• Operate and maintain grooming instruments and equipment.
• Assess each pet’s individual needs, including coat type, skin conditions, and temperament.
• Educate pet parents and recommend grooming maintenance, home-care practices, and products.
• Monitor pets’ safety and well-being, recognize signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Conduct quality checks and clean, disinfect, and sanitize the grooming area, tools, and equipment according to Petco policies; perform assigned cleaning and maintenance duties.
• Apply Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines and hold salon team members accountable for safety and quality.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, salon-performance incentives, and tips.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k).
• Paid time off.
• Petco discounts.
• Supplies and equipment needed for grooming.
• 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: No Education Listed