Retail Operations Lead at PetSmart in Chicago, IL

PetSmart does Anything for Pets – JOIN OUR TEAM!

Retail Operations Lead

About Life at PetSmart

At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. This posting reflects an existing vacancy, and we are actively seeking candidates for this role.

Benefits that benefit you

• 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

Job Summary

PetSmart’s Process Lead (Retail Operations Lead) has shared responsibility to drive operational excellence in our stores while upholding the company’s vision, mission, values, and strategy. This role is responsible for merchandising and inventory management, pet care operations, opening and/or closing the store, overseeing associates, and maintaining a safe and organized environment.

Essential Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following and may vary depending on store characteristics and needs:

People Leadership:

• Support and guide sales associates in merchandise handling, providing training on product knowledge and presentation standards.
• Facilitates the associate experience and supports associate development. This includes but is not limited to training, onboarding, mentoring, and coaching for growth as well as providing feedback into associate performance reviews, disciplinary action and promotions.
• Delegate and validate completion of daily tasks.
• Leads and directs associates when acting as the leader on duty.
• Address and administer associate complaints and grievances.
• Recognizes and celebrates associates driving overall associate engagement.

Store Operations and Overall Store Experience:

• Execute merchandise strategies to optimize sales, including receiving of product, product placement, seasonal displays, and promotional setups.
• Manages inventory levels, conducts regular audits, and analyzes sales trends to make informed recommendations for stock replenishment and markdowns.
• Assists in maintaining accurate inventory records, conducting regular audits, and addressing discrepancies.
• Operate point-of-sale (POS) systems and handle cash transactions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies.
• Maintains store standards and leads a culture of empowerment by ensuring compliance with our Policies and Procedures (P&Ps) and Code of Ethics.
• Shared responsibility with store opening and closing procedures to ensure we uphold our brand promise.
• Completes monthly live cycle counts, addresses discrepancies.
• Responsible for pet care maintenance, commitment standards (cleaning, feeding, providing water, etc.) and caring for new arrival and sick pets.
• Ensures pet parents have a positive experience with online orders including pick-up in store or ship from store.
• Supports the associate and pet parent experience at all levels and ensures pets in our care are safe and healthy.
• Responsible for taking immediate action and reports when a sick/injured pet is identified in the store; transport to the vet as needed.
• Follows company Policies and Procedures to prepare for and receive new store owned pet arrivals. Ensures pets are healthy to move to sales floor after quarantine period.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of retail supervisory experience in a customer-focused environment.
• Full-time availability required, flexibility in schedule, able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Proficiency in computer applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to react under pressure and maintain composure.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in maintaining a visually appealing store layout.

Supervisory responsibility

• No direct reports, however, are expected to guide and support the development of other associates.
• Provides feedback on associate performance to direct supervisor.
• Acts as the Leader when other Leaders are not in the store. This includes supervising associates, assigning tasks and addressing any concerns.

Essential physical demands and worn environment

• Associate required to stand, walk, climb a ladder, and use hands to handle, feel, hold, write, etc. The associate frequently is required to reach with hands and arms: stoop, kneel, crouch, talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally team lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, as well as a wet environment with an abundance of pet hair. The noise level is moderate in the work environment; however, associates may be exposed to high levels of noise at times. Exposure to live animals and their handling is common.

Do what you love

Join us for a chance to make a meaningful impact every day. Whether it's helping a customer choose their first fish, celebrating a pet's birthday, or seeing the smile on a pet parent’s face after a fresh groom—you'll create moments that matter. At PetSmart, we cherish diversity and the unique perspectives of our 50,000 associates, all united by a passion for pets.

We’re delighted you’re interested in joining our pack and helping us in our commitment to doing Anything for Pets, and the people who love them. We're excited to hear your story and learn more about you! Apply Now!

PetSmart is an Equal Opportunity Employer

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job 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.

This job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work associates/leaders assigned to this job perform. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. You will be provided with a copy of a job description for the actual position you are hired into. Exact rate of pay will be based on relevant experience level, training, skills or knowledge and store location. This position is paid on a per hour basis. In no instance will PetSmart pay less than the local minimum wage. This position is also eligible for benefits as described at https://benefits.petsmart.com/us/

Applicants must be over the age of 18 (except in Montana or where otherwise required by local or state law)

For applicants in our Waterloo, San Francisco, or Los Angeles locations: Pursuant to the Waterloo and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, as well as the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, we will consider for employment, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with the law.