Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • Homewood, IL

19d

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 all experience levels. The leader also independently performs professional grooming services and prioritizes the safety, comfort, and well-being of pets in the salon.

The position oversees daily salon operations, staffing, scheduling, inventory, and performance. It involves recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating salon staff; collaborating with store management on sales and salon objectives; and providing attentive service and grooming guidance to pet parents. The leader maintains grooming quality and sanitation standards, keeps current with industry practices, and ensures the salon team follows Petco policies and procedures.

Most duties take place indoors in the grooming salon. The role involves direct contact with pet parents and dogs, as well as time with salon colleagues. The environment may be noisy and wet. The position requires bending, kneeling, standing for long periods, and lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary. It may also involve working at heights using a two-step ladder or other support tools for cleaning and maintenance. The schedule is full-time, at least 35 hours per week, and may include 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 the 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 career in pet grooming.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills in moderately complex situations; guidance from the Solutions Manager or Store General Manager may be available when necessary.
• Results-driven 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.
• Available to work full-time, at least 35 hours per week, including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed by the Pet Care Center grooming schedule.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day grooming salon operations, workflows, scheduling and capacity, inventory, and staffing plans.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate grooming salon employees, fostering teamwork and professional development.
• Create and manage grooming schedules that balance team availability, customer demand, salon capacity, and peak-hour coverage.
• Monitor revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity; analyze performance and develop improvement plans.
• Work with store management to meet sales targets and salon objectives and to grow the customer base and profitability.
• Serve pet parents professionally, answer grooming questions, make recommendations, and resolve concerns promptly.
• Keep current with grooming industry trends and best practices and develop personal and team skills.
• Perform professional grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, following pet-parent instructions, breed standards, and company policies.
• Operate and maintain grooming instruments and equipment.
• Assess each pet’s coat, skin condition, temperament, and individual needs.
• Educate pet parents about grooming maintenance, home care practices, and products that support pet well-being.
• Monitor pets’ safety and well-being, watch for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Conduct quality checks; clean and sanitize grooming tools, equipment, and salon areas; complete daily and weekly cleaning and maintenance duties.
• Apply and enforce Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to maintain safety, quality, and consistency throughout the salon.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, salon-performance-based incentives, and tips, subject to the Grooming Salon Leader Incentive Plan.
• 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 paths.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed