Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • Port Hueneme, CA

18d

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 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.

Most duties take place indoors in the grooming salon. The role involves direct contact with pet parents and dogs, as well as collaboration with salon partners. The environment may be noisy and wet. Physical duties include bending, kneeling, standing for extended periods, lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary, and possibly using a two-step ladder or support tools for cleaning and maintenance. The schedule is 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 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 continuing a career in pet grooming.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills for moderately complex situations; guidance from a Solutions Manager or Store General Manager is available when necessary.
• Results-driven commitment to salon productivity, performance, growth, and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to deliver grooming services accurately 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.
• Ability to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation, including bending, kneeling, standing for long periods, and lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary.

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, grooming capacity, inventory, and staffing plans.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate grooming staff, fostering teamwork and professional development.
• Create grooming schedules that balance team availability, customer demand, productivity, and business needs, including peak-hour coverage.
• Monitor revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity; identify opportunities and develop improvement plans.
• Collaborate with store management to achieve sales targets and salon objectives and to grow the customer base and profitability.
• Provide professional customer service, answer grooming questions, make recommendations, and resolve concerns promptly.
• Stay current with grooming trends and best practices and develop personal and team grooming skills.
• Perform professional grooming services according to pet-parent instructions, breed standards, and company policies and procedures.
• Operate and maintain grooming instruments, including clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers.
• Assess each pet’s coat, skin condition, temperament, and individual grooming needs.
• Educate pet parents and recommend grooming maintenance, home-care practices, and products.
• Protect animal safety and well-being, monitor pets for signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Maintain a clean and safe salon; perform quality checks, 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 standards.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, salon-performance-based incentives, and tips, in accordance with 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 bathing systems, kennels, tables, and dryers.
• Career development and growth opportunities, such as Grooming Mentor and Grooming Instructor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED