Grooming Salon Manager

Petco • Eden Prairie, MN

4d

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

The role oversees salon workflows, schedules, staffing, and inventory; recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates team members; tracks performance and develops improvement plans; and works with store management to meet sales and salon objectives. It also includes direct customer service and grooming work, educating pet parents about maintenance and home care, ensuring salon cleanliness and sanitation, and maintaining Petco grooming safety and quality standards.

Most duties take place indoors in a grooming salon. The role involves regular direct contact with pet parents, dogs, and salon partners. The environment may be noisy and wet. The position requires bending, kneeling, standing for extended periods, and lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary. It may also involve working at heights with a two-step ladder or support tools for cleaning and maintenance.

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 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, including the ability to handle 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 grooming services accurately and to high 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily grooming salon operations, workflows, scheduling, grooming capacity, inventory, and staffing plans.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate grooming team members, supporting teamwork and professional development.
• Create grooming schedules that optimize capacity and productivity, accommodate customer demand, and provide coverage during peak hours.
• Monitor salon revenue, customer satisfaction, and partner productivity; analyze performance 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 customer concerns.
• Keep grooming knowledge and team skills current with industry trends and best practices.
• Perform professional grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts, 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 condition, temperament, and individual needs.
• Educate pet parents and recommend grooming maintenance, home-care practices, and products.
• Monitor the well-being and safety of animals, identify signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report concerns to pet owners and store management.
• Conduct quality checks and clean and sanitize the grooming area, tools, and equipment in accordance with Petco policies; complete assigned daily, weekly, and other cleaning and maintenance tasks.
• Apply and uphold Petco grooming policies, standards, and guidelines, and hold salon team members accountable for safety and quality.

Benefits

• Competitive pay with incentives based on salon performance and tips.
• Medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
• 401(k).
• Paid time off.
• Petco discounts.
• 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