Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • Sterling, VA

16d • 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 the coaching and development of groomers at different experience levels. The leader also independently performs grooming services—including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning—while prioritizing the safety, comfort, and well-being of every pet.

This position oversees daily salon workflows, scheduling, capacity, inventory, and staffing. It recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates salon team members; monitors salon performance; works with store management to meet sales and salon objectives; and provides professional customer service and grooming recommendations. The role maintains grooming quality and safety standards, keeps the salon and equipment clean and sanitary, and educates pet parents about grooming maintenance and home care.

Most duties take place indoors in the grooming salon. The position involves frequent direct contact with pet parents, dogs, and salon partners. The environment may be noisy and wet. Work includes bending, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary, standing for extended periods, and potentially working at heights using a two-step ladder or other 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 by the grooming schedule.

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.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting 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 using grooming experience to address moderately complex situations.
• 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.
• Availability to work full time, at least 35 hours per week, including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed by the grooming schedule.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily 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 schedules that balance team availability and business needs, accommodate 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, grow the customer base, and improve profitability.
• Provide professional customer service, respond to grooming inquiries, recommend services, and resolve questions or concerns.
• Stay current on grooming industry trends and best practices and develop the grooming skills of self and team.
• 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 provide tailored recommendations for 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.
• Perform quality checks and keep the grooming area and salon clean and safe; disinfect and sanitize tools and equipment and complete daily, weekly, and 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, vision, and other benefits.
• 401(k).
• Paid time off.
• Petco discounts.
• Grooming supplies and equipment provided.
• 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