Store Leader - 1489 - Montrose, CO

Our vision at Petco is Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We're making things better for pets, people and the planet through our Think Adoption First philosophy, the Petco Foundation and other important initiatives that focus on putting animals first, educating pet parents and reducing our carbon footprint. The journey starts with knowledgeable, passionately engaged associates who are proud to recommend Petco as a place to work, who believe in our Vision and who are committed to delivering a superior customer experience.

From our retail stores and our network of Distribution Centers to our Corporate offices, you'll work with others who share your values and commitment. We seek individuals who are passionate about animal welfare, have great people skills and are driven to grow and advance in their careers with us. Our ongoing growth is creating exceptional opportunities for professional development and personal enrichment throughout our organization.

Purpose Statement

Oversee the daily operation and management of a Petco store to ensure it meets profitability projections.

Lead, train and develop department level leaders and hourly store partners in all areas and functions required to run the store efficiently and to Petco standards. Ensure all partners provide quality service to satisfy the needs of Petco guests. Ensure merchandise is properly priced, displayed, and stocked according to inventory levels appropriate for the store. Complete and submit accounting, inventory management, and payroll paperwork in a timely manner. Ensure all expenses are maintained within budgeted levels. Guarantee the store's appearance adheres to company standards and safety protocol. This job is composed of a variety of tasks, that are covered by general operating procedures but also require extensive individual judgment to ensure successful operation of the store. Responsibilities will vary depending on the store size and location, the number of specialty departments, the sales volume, number of partners and the leadership structure. It is expected that every Store Leader will:

1) Hire and make effective recommendations to hire partners. Accurately forecast and prepare for staffing and turnover needs in alignment with business demands.

2) Make effective recommendations with respect to partner separations and corrective action.

3) Regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment. The Store Leader will have authority to make independent decisions on matters of consequence to the business and/or its guests free from immediate supervision and will also make recommendations that are subject to final authority of a District Leader or Regional Partner.

4) Regularly direct all store partners on subjects including hiring, training and development, assignment delegation, scheduling and follow through, performance reviews and disciplinary action including separation when necessary.

Key Accountabilities

1. Interact professionally and effectively through verbal and written communication with all professional contacts with emphasis on company interests.

2. Hire, train, develop, manage and motivate a team to drive sales through effective leadership and merchandising techniques as well as quality guest service.

3. Independently prioritize and accomplish multiple leadership tasks within established timeframes by effectively planning and managing workload, delegating work and supervising, monitoring and directing department level leaders and other partners.

4. Exercise sound business and personnel leadership skills and the ability to exercise appropriate discretion.

5. Meet and manage store profitability projections and shrink budgets.

6. Possess a high level of interest in animal welfare.

7. Move merchandise up to 50 pounds.

Core Job Description:

1. Leadership of Partners. This includes recruiting, reviewing job applications and interviewing job applicants, checking references, conducting pre-employment background checks, hiring and training. Guarantee that all required personnel paperwork is completed accurately and within three days of an partner's date of hire. Development of partners, planning work assignments, prioritizing tasks to be completed in the store and assigning those tasks to partners, determining the techniques to be used to accomplish the task and ensuring the satisfactory completion of the assigned work. Management of partners also includes discipline and counseling of partners on company policies and on performance issues and preparation of related paperwork, terminating partners including consultation with superiors and/or the corporate human resources department regarding appropriate discipline/termination decisions and completion of termination-related paperwork and meeting with terminated partner. This also includes scheduling of partners to ensure store is staffed in a way that maximizes sales in all product and service areas and coordination of meal periods and breaks for hourly partners. It also includes partner record keeping and tracking such as maintaining confidential documentation, maintaining and preparing EPNs and OPA's, tracking partner attendance, preparation of confidential new hire paperwork, obtain valid work permits for minors (if applicable), day-to-day evaluation for purposes of supervising, directing and providing feedback as well as writing and delivering or contributing to formal performance evaluations. All partner management functions must be accomplished within budgetary limits and within legal guidelines.

2. Complaint Resolution. The Store Leader will be expected to hear and resolve complaints including partner concerns (such as those regarding scheduling, co-worker disputes or disagreements, store merchandise or facilities issues, problems with guests) and non-routine guest complaints, including complaints about partners. Facilitate appropriate partnership with Regional support to fully resolve matters involving harassment, discrimination, theft or animal abuse.

3. Guest Service. Ensure quick and courteous service to all Petco guests by helping partners determine the guest's needs and by sharing product knowledge with partners to enable them to suggest the appropriate merchandise to meet the guest's needs. Demonstrate and coach effective suggestive selling techniques for partners to increase sales.

4. Reporting. Complete and submit all accounting, inventory management and payroll reports accurately and on time. Reconciliation of daily grooming reports.

5. Inventory Control and Management. Make decisions regarding damaged or discontinued merchandise. This includes evaluating products to be returned to vendors for repair, refund or replacement and determining disposition of products that cannot be returned. Coordinate and ensure completion of weekly screen corrections and zero counts. Coordinate all periodic physical inventory counts. Manage and control ongoing Shrink concerns and ensure that all store leadership and partners understand their roles and responsibilities in reducing Shrink.

6. Ensuring the Proper Healthcare, Appearance and Maintenance of Companion Animals. Ensure the health and well being of live animals by providing the correct care in accordance with the established Petco standards, policies and procedures. Manage the appropriate stock levels of live animals and ensure a clean, healthy and safe environment for all animals and partners.

7. Cash Handling. This includes cash counting, supervision of cashiers and cash register service to maximize guest experience and minimize loss of assets. This will also include ensuring cashier drawers balance at the end of the shift, investigation of any shortages/overages (in partnership with Loss Prevention leaders), voiding and correcting cash register transactions and ensuring that bank deposits of store funds are completed accurately and in a timely manner and that all required paperwork has been correctly completed. Will include cash register operation in order to relieve cashiers during breaks and/or to ensure prompt guest service during busy sales periods or in the event of a shortage of cashiers on duty. Ensure that sufficient precautionary steps are taken to reduce exposure to refund fraud - including working and reviewing regularly the DLPR and Daily Cashier's Reports. Maintain accountability for store credit card.

8. Store Opening/Closing. This includes ensuring that the store is opened/closed in accordance with policies and procedures, especially those relating to safety and security. It also includes opening and closing the safe and accessing high-level security information. When opening, the Store Leader will assign work tasks to store partners, oversee opening of cash registers, and troubleshoot problems with the store, equipment and partners. When closing, the Store Leader will complete or ensure the completion of deposit worksheets, store sales logs and supply orders and oversee security of property before leaving store, secure bank deposits and ensure that related paperwork is completed in an accurate and timely manner. Responsible for the physical security of the store and ensuring all security mechanisms, procedures, and systems are in intended working order at all times. During operating hours, the Store Leader will ensure the store is supervised by a member of leadership or a formally designated key-holder (Leader on Duty). Employ loss prevention strategies to ensure deposits arrive safely at the bank.

9. Store Merchandising. Manage store merchandising and independently make or participate in making decisions regarding store layout and displays, to enhance visual presentation of store and sales. Make merchandising decisions with consideration of visual standards, special ad set-up and monthly ad planner guidelines, adjusting these as necessary to best implement in each individual store.

10. Providing for Safety of Guests, Partners, Live Animals and Property. This includes providing direction for changes needed in store set up and/or required clean-up to correct hazardous situations. It also includes responsibility for training on, oversight of and implementation of safety procedures and safety awareness program, safety monitoring, conducting safety meetings and maintaining records of safety training meetings, including topics discussed and attendance log. Ensure all safety-related documentation is maintained in the store for a minimum of three years. This also includes conducting safety inspections and preparing monthly safety inspection reports.

11. Housekeeping Oversight. Coordinate and assign routine housekeeping tasks as required to maintain the professional image, appearance and cleanliness of the store, to include sweeping/mopping the floors, dusting, washing the windows, facing the merchandise on the shelves, etc.

12. Marketing. Market the store and its products, oversee planning of in-store and community events, such as adoptions, school visits and other local promotions and animal-welfare events. Supervise and train all partners to effectively boost sales volume. Ensure that each partner and the store projects a professional image at all times and in all situations.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Job duties include leadership responsibility for the following:

1. Recruitment, hiring, training, development and daily supervision of all store partners, including subordinate leaders and hourly store partners to include assignment delegation, instruction, follow-through, periodic performance reviews, safety and disciplinary action including separations when necessary.

2. Demonstration of exemplary guest service skills and coaching of store partners on Company standards.

3. Meet and/or exceed sales goals and instruct store partners on selling techniques through daily sales and promotional events.

4. Control of expenses, inventory, and profitability in accordance with budgetary guidelines.

5. Communication of irregular or problematic situations to appropriate leaders or department at the Support Center(s).

6. Maintenance of clean, safe and healthy environment for store partners, guests and animals.

Work Environment:

The majority of job duties are conducted indoors, although occasional merchandise stocking, guest carry-outs, and bank deposits will require that a partner leave the store briefly. Because this position requires bending, kneeling, moving merchandise (up to 50 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time, there may be risk of injury resulting from failure to follow safety precautions and procedures. A limited amount of travel will be required.

Qualifications

Educational Background:

In addition to a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED), an applicant must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the areas of mathematics, basic accounting relationships, analysis and problem-solving skills. Excellence in communication and computer skills are also required. Some college level business/management courses preferred.

Prior Experience:

One or more years of management experience or the equivalent is required, while previous retail management experience is preferred. A working knowledge of general business practices is highly desirable, as are strong organizational skills. A qualified applicant will possess an aptitude for demonstrating basic sales techniques and the ability to instruct others in their application. In addition to having a professional appearance and demeanor, the applicant must also demonstrate a keen and genuine interest in all kids of animals.