Pet Groomer & Salon Trainer

Pet Groomer & Salon Trainer – Pet Smart

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At Pet Smart, “Anything for Pets” begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families. We empower our teams with tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed.

• Paid weekly
• Health & wellness benefits
• 401k plan with company match
• Paid time off for full‑time associates
• Associate discounts
• Tuition assistance
• Career pathing
• Development opportunities

The Salon Experience Lead (Groomer & Salon Trainer) is responsible for providing exceptional service to pet parents and supporting a high‑performing team while upholding the company’s vision, mission, values, and strategy. This role delivers professional quality services with a focus on pet care and leads the development of bathers and new stylists, guiding them through the entire pet stylist development program.

• Facilitates associate experience and supports development through training, onboarding, mentoring, coaching, performance feedback, disciplinary action, and promotions.
• Develops new and existing associates through bather and/or stylist certification processes.
• Identifies candidates internally for academy training to become stylists.
• Delegates and validates completion of daily salon tasks.
• Addresses associate complaints and grievances.
• Recognizes and celebrates associates contributing to overall engagement.

• Ensures quality pet parent experience on the phone, in person, and online, responding to concerns.
• Greets pet parents, answers questions, and recommends wellness solutions.
• Engages pet parents at checkout to drive connection and rebooking.
• Communicates and promotes pet parent engagement through marketing promotions.
• Uses salon tools, including booking system and call logs, to set reservations and conduct appointment calls.
• Maintains store standards and leads a culture of empowerment by ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and code of ethics.
• Independently performs full menu of bath, brush, and grooming services, plus standalone services such as nail trims, teeth brushing, and sanitary services in accordance with Pet Smart’s standards.
• Promotes opportunities to grow salon sales to help achieve targets and productivity.
• Maintains operational standards of cleanliness, sanitation, and humane conditions for pets.
• Acts immediately on sick or injured pets, including transport to the vet.
• Communicates with Experience Leader on business trends and provides best practices.
• Reports facilities or supply needs to Experience Leader or Leader on Duty.
• Recommends, informs, and sells services and merchandise.
• Assists in other departments as required; other duties may be assigned.

• 2+ years grooming experience; may be required to complete a technical exam.
• Full‑time availability with flexibility for evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Proficiency with tools, equipment, and products for safe technical work.
• Proficiency in computer applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to remain composed under pressure.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and safety.

• No direct reports, but expected to guide and support other associates.
• Provides associate performance feedback to direct supervisor.

• Stand, walk, climb ladders, handle, feel, hold, write, talk, and hear; reach with arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, and have depth perception.
• Frequently lift or move up to 50 lbs and occasionally team lift more than 100 lbs.
• May be exposed to mechanical parts, wet environment with pet hair, moderate to high noise levels, and live animal handling.
• Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

Make a meaningful impact every day by helping customers choose their first fish, celebrating pet birthdays, or seeing the smile on a pet parent’s face after a fresh groom. Create moments that matter. We cherish diversity and unique perspectives among our 50,000 associates.

Pet Smart is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an equal opportunity for all associates and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We offer reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout our application process upon request and as required by law.

Applicants must be over the age of 18 (except in Montana or where otherwise required by local or state law). The employer will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistently with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, and pursuant to the Waterloo and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinances.