Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • Ellisville, MO

8d

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 performs professional 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 oversees salon workflows, schedules, staffing, inventory, and performance; recruits, trains, and supervises team members; works with store management to achieve sales and salon objectives; and provides customer service and grooming recommendations to pet parents. The leader maintains grooming quality and sanitation standards and operates and cares for grooming equipment.

Most duties take place indoors in a grooming salon. The job involves regular direct contact with pet parents and dogs, as well as collaboration with salon partners. The environment can be noisy and wet. Physical requirements include bending, kneeling, standing for long periods, lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary, and potentially working at heights with 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 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, including the ability to handle moderately complex situations with guidance when necessary.
• Results-driven focus on salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality grooming services.
• Ability to handle pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy.
• Available to work at least 35 hours per week, including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.
• Able to bend, kneel, lift up to 30 pounds as necessary, and stand for long periods; may need to work at heights using a two-step ladder or other support tools.

Nice To Haves

• One to two years of previous salon management experience or experience in a related field.
• High school diploma or GED (preferred, though the posting’s wording is incomplete).

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day salon operations, workflows, scheduling 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, optimize productivity, and provide coverage during peak hours.
• Monitor salon revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity; identify improvement opportunities and create action plans.
• Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives and grow the customer base and profitability.
• Provide professional customer service to pet parents, answer grooming questions, make recommendations, and resolve 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, 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 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, identify signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Conduct quality checks and maintain a clean, safe salon; disinfect and sanitize tools and equipment; complete daily and weekly cleaning and maintenance duties in accordance with hygiene and sanitation policies.
• Apply and uphold Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines, and hold salon team members accountable for safety and quality.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentive based on salon performance, and tips, according to the Grooming Salon Leader Incentive Plan.
• Medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
• 401(k) and more.
• Paid time off.
• Petco discounts.
• Supplies and equipment needed for grooming.
• State-of-the-art grooming equipment.
• 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: High school or GED