Store Manager - Alexandria, VA

Want to help pets live their best lives?

We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. 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 and people.

Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.

Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

As a Store Manager , you are the owner of the business for your Pet Care Center. You are fully accountable for day-to-day operations, team leadership, customer experience, and store performance ensuring the location operates safely, efficiently, and in alignment with Petco standards.

This role requires a hands-on leader who can balance people leadership, operational execution, and business results while setting the tone for culture, accountability, and service excellence.

What You’ll Do

Pet First

• Own the safety, care, and well-being of pets and pet parents within the Pet Care Center.
• Ensure all policies, procedures, and safety standards are executed consistently and without exception.
• Create a clean, safe, and welcoming environment that reflects Petco’s commitment to responsible pet care.
• Lead with integrity and sound judgment in all decisions impacting pets, customers, and partners.

Foster the Fun

• Build, lead, and develop a high performing, engaged team that delivers exceptional service.
• Set clear expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and hold partners accountable for results and behaviors.
• Create a culture of inclusion, teamwork, and trust where partners feel supported, recognized, and motivated.
• Lead visibly from the sales floor, modeling Petco’s selling behaviors and service standards.

Let’s Go!

• Own total store performance, including sales results, labor productivity, expense control, and operational execution.
• Translate company strategy into clear store priorities and daily execution plans.
• Analyze sales and operational data, identify trends, and take decisive action to drive results.
• Plan and manage labor schedules to meet business needs while supporting customer experience.
• Execute merchandising, inventory, and promotional standards with precision and consistency.
• Serve as Leader on Duty, making timely decisions and resolving issues to keep the business moving forward.

Key Responsibilities

Business & Operational Performance

• Act as the single point of accountability for store performance, compliance, and culture.
• Ensure the store is opened and closed according to security and safety procedures.
• Protect company assets through strong inventory control, shrink awareness, and loss prevention practices.
• Ensure all administrative, payroll, and operational tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Maintain store appearance, cleanliness, and brand standards at all times.

People Leadership

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and develop talent aligned to store needs and volume.
• Lead performance management, coaching, and development conversations.
• Build a sustainable talent pipeline and succession plan appropriate to store size.
• Address performance or conduct concerns promptly and professionally.

What Success Looks Like

• The store consistently meets or exceeds sales and operational expectations for its volume.
• Customers experience friendly, knowledgeable, and reliable service every visit.
• Partners are engaged, accountable, and proud of their store.
• The Pet Care Center operates safely, compliantly, and efficiently — without surprises.

What You Bring

Experience & Skills

• 2+ years of management experience (retail leadership preferred).
• Strong people leadership, coaching, and talent development skills.
• Solid business, financial, and operational acumen.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.
• A genuine passion for pets and customer service.

Education

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Completion of Petco leadership development programs may be required for internal candidates.

Essential Functions & Work Environment

This role is primarily performed in a Pet Care Center retail environment . The Store Manager is expected to be regularly present on the sales floor, leading by example and engaging with partners, customers, and pets.

• Majority of work is conducted indoors; however, occasional duties may require leaving the Pet Care Center for tasks such as bank deposits, merchandise transport, or community events.
• The role requires frequent standing and walking, as well as bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to safely lift and move merchandise, supplies, or animals weighing up to 50 pounds. 
• Regular engagement with customers on the sales floor, including providing customer assistance and performing cashiering and point-of-sale transactions.
• Must be able to work in proximity to animals, including exposure to animal dander, odors, noises, and cleaning chemicals.
• Flexible availability to support Pet Care Center operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• This is a full-time position. Eligibility for full-time status is based on average hours worked, as defined by company policy and applicable law.
• A limited amount of travel may be required for training, meetings, or community engagement.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Purpose-driven work that makes a real difference.
• Growth opportunities through development programs and career pathways.
• A culture that values authenticity, inclusion, and teamwork.
• The chance to lead, own, and shape your business — every day. #LI-LF2 #PetcoGM

The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.

Salary Range: $23.00 - $37.30

Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO - see

About Petco:

We’re proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years – from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood – the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

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