Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • Harrisonburg, VA

15h

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. The leader also performs grooming services—including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning—while prioritizing each pet’s safety, comfort, and well-being.

The position combines salon leadership and hands-on grooming. It involves managing schedules, staffing, inventory, workflows, and performance; providing customer service and grooming recommendations; maintaining grooming quality and safety standards; and keeping the salon clean and sanitary. The role works primarily indoors in a grooming salon, with substantial direct contact with pets, pet parents, and salon partners. The environment may be noisy and wet. The schedule is at least 35 hours per week and may include 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.
• Very 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 a continuing 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 commitment to salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to deliver accurate, high-quality grooming services.
• 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 perform duties involving bending, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary, and standing for long periods.
• Ability to work in a potentially noisy and wet grooming salon and possibly use a two-step ladder or other support tools for cleaning and maintenance.

Nice To Haves

• One to two 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 salon team members, fostering teamwork and professional development.
• Create and manage grooming schedules that balance team availability, customer demand, productivity, and peak-hour coverage.
• Monitor salon revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity; analyze results and develop improvement plans.
• Collaborate with store management to meet sales targets and salon objectives, grow the customer base, and improve profitability.
• Provide professional customer service, answer grooming inquiries, make recommendations, and resolve concerns promptly.
• Keep grooming knowledge and skills current, and support the development of the team’s 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 and equipment, including clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers.
• Assess each pet’s coat, skin conditions, and temperament to determine individual needs.
• Educate pet parents and provide tailored recommendations for grooming maintenance, home care, and products.
• Safeguard pets, monitor for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Perform quality checks and maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary salon, including disinfecting tools and equipment and completing daily, weekly, and other assigned cleaning and maintenance tasks.
• Apply Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines consistently and hold salon team members accountable for safety and quality.

Benefits

• Competitive pay with salon-performance incentives and tips, according to the Grooming Salon Leader Incentive Plan.
• Medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
• 401(k).
• Paid time off.
• Petco discounts.
• Supplies and equipment for grooming, including brushes, nail trimmers, clippers, blades, shampoo, sprays, and tools.
• State-of-the-art equipment, including a bathing system, kennels, tables, and dryers.
• 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