Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • New York City, KS

16d • 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 responsible for customer satisfaction, a positive work environment, salon performance, and coaching and developing groomers at all experience levels. It also performs professional grooming services, prioritizing the safety, comfort, and well-being of pets.

The leader oversees daily salon workflows, scheduling, capacity, inventory, and staffing; recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates salon partners; monitors performance metrics and develops improvement plans; and collaborates with store management to meet sales and salon objectives. The role interacts with pet parents, provides grooming recommendations and resolves concerns, performs grooming services to customer instructions and breed standards, and maintains clean and safe salon conditions in accordance with Petco policies.

Most duties take place indoors in a grooming salon. The environment can be noisy and wet, with substantial direct contact with pet parents and dogs and collaboration with salon partners. The position involves bending, kneeling, standing for extended periods, lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary, and potentially using a two-step ladder or other support tools for cleaning and maintenance.

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-level proficiency in breed-specific cuts, styling techniques, and grooming standards.
• Genuine passion for animals and interest in a career in pet grooming.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills in moderately complex situations.
• Results-driven approach and commitment to salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high grooming standards.
• Ability to handle pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy.
• Availability to work at least 35 hours per week, including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed by the grooming schedule.
• Ability to bend, kneel, stand for long periods, lift up to 30 pounds as necessary, and potentially use a two-step ladder or other support tools.

Nice To Haves

• 1–2 years of previous salon management experience or experience in 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 team members, fostering teamwork and professional development.
• Create grooming 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 improvement areas 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 to pet parents, answer grooming questions, make recommendations, and resolve concerns promptly.
• Keep grooming knowledge and practices current and help develop the team's skills.
• Perform professional grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, according to 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 conditions, and temperament to determine individual needs.
• Educate pet parents and recommend grooming maintenance, home-care practices, and products.
• Monitor pets' safety and well-being, watch for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area; disinfect and sanitize tools and equipment; complete daily, weekly, and other 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, 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