Groomer in Stafford

Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents and people! If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets, people and our planet:

• We love all pets like our own
• We’re the future of the pet industry
• We’re here to improve lives
• We drive outstanding results together
• We’re welcome as we are

Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco partners. We are 29,000 strong and operate 1,500+ pet care centers in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. We’re focused on purpose-driven work, and strongly believe what’s good for pets, people and our planet is good for Petco.

Your Petco Grooming Career: As a Pet Stylist at Petco, you will be responsible for providing professional grooming services to our valued customers' pets. With your expertise and attention to detail, you will ensure that each pet receives exceptional care, leaving them looking and feeling their best.

In addition to the opportunity to showcase your grooming skills, creativity and passion for animals, Petco also offers a dynamic and rewarding environment, including:

• Competitive base pay
• Medical, dental, vision and more
• 401k and more
• Paid Time Off
• Petco Discounts
• All the supplies & equipment you need, including brushes, nail trimmers, clippers, blades, shampoo, sprays, tools, etc.
• State of the art equipment, including bathing system, kennels, tables, and dryers
• Career development and growth opportunities, such as a Grooming Salon Leader, Grooming Mentor and Grooming Instructor

Purpose: The Pet Stylists' primary purpose is to perform expert-level professional grooming services, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning. The Pet Stylist is responsible for prioritising the safety, comfort, and well-being of the pets in our care and delivering a high level of customer satisfaction and customer service to pet parents.

Essential Job Functions: The incumbent must be able to consistently perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Under moderate to limited supervision, perform professional grooming services including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, according to pet parent's instructions and adhering to breed standards and company policies and procedures
• Operate and maintain various grooming instruments, including clippers, blades, shears, brushes, and dryers
• Always prioritise the well-being and safety of every animal in the salon, monitor pets for any signs of discomfort, illness, or injury, and promptly report any concerns to pet owners and store management
• Evaluate individual needs of each pet, taking into consideration coat type, skin conditions, temperament
• Interact professionally and effectively with pet parents, provide optimal customer service, address grooming related inquiries, offer grooming recommendations, and provide timely resolution to questions or concerns
• Educate and provide custom recommendations to pet parents on grooming maintenance and at home care practices & products to promote the overall well-being of the pet
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area and salon, disinfect, and sanitise grooming tools and equipment, perform daily and weekly cleaning duties in the salon and in adherence to Petco hygiene and sanitation policies, other cleaning and maintenance tasks as assigned
• Utilise knowledge and understanding of Petco's grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure safety, quality, and consistency in all activities and areas of the grooming business, ensure standards are maintained in grooming salon
• May need to train, support, and supervise entry-level trainees in the absence of a Grooming Salon Leader

Education/Experience:

• Successful completion of the Pet Stylist Apprentice program with Petco, or previous experience as a professional groomer and/or completion of a technical grooming training program
• High-school diploma or GED preferred, though not required
• Latitude for independent judgement and problem solving, using grooming skills and knowledge to solve problems in routine to moderately complex situations, with some guidance from Grooming Salon Leader, Solutions Manager, or Store General Manager when necessary
• Results-driven with commitment to productivity, performance, and ownership of role in the grooming salon
• Strong attention to detail, ensuring grooming services are executed accurately and to the highest standards
• Genuine passion for animals with a desire to continue a career in pet grooming
• Expert knowledge of various dog breeds, grooming requirements, common health issues and behaviours
• High level of proficiency in breed-specific cuts, styling techniques, and grooming standards
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and grooming team members
• Capable of handling pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy
• Available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays, as required by the Pet Care Center's grooming schedule

Work Environment: The majority of job duties are conducted indoors in the grooming salon. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. Position may require exposure to heights using a two-step ladder or other support tools, such as vacuums, to perform assigned cleaning and maintenance duties. A large amount of this partner's time will be spent in direct contact with our pet parents and their dogs, and the remaining time will be with the other salon partners. The work environment can be noisy and wet.