Retail Store Manager

About Pet Food Express

Founded in San Francisco, Pet Food Express is one of the country’s leading independent pet food and supply retailers, with customer loyalty built on our philosophy of providing the best for pets. Our employees are sales-driven individuals who thrive on helping pet parents find the best products for their furry family members. We don’t just sell products—we provide tailored solutions and trusted advice to create a memorable shopping experience.  

We’re looking for a confident, experienced Store Manager who thrives in running efficient store operations and looks for opportunities to make an impact through the success of the team. The ideal candidate leads by example and holds themselves accountable - modeling our values in action, communication, decision-making, and achieving results. We are seeking candidates committed to employee development, equity and inclusion; creating processes and opportunities to engage employees in meaningful ways and ensure all voices are heard and valued.  

Responsibilities:

On an average day, Store Managers: 

Engage & Sell 

• Coach and lead your team of passionate pet people to engage and build a loyal customer base.  

• Understand the needs of both our two-legged and four-legged customers and educate customers on how our products will enhance their pets wellbeing.  

• Demonstrate a commitment to the health and safety of employees and customers while teaching employees how to maintain excellent floor awareness. 

• Become an expert in pet parenthood and nutrition staying up-to-date on new products, industry trends, developments and opportunities and share your knowledge with your team. 

People Development

• Connect all store employees to the ‘why’ behind the vision and get buy-in by connecting policies and programs to Pet Food Express’ core values, brand promise and the big picture. 

• Develop and upskill your team in understanding, setting and achieving store and individual sales goals, customer service, and visual merchandising standards. As well as soft skills, such as adapting to changes and rebounding from setbacks.  

• Use our Skill Level Program to mentor your team through each stage of their professional development. Ensure Store Team members have a clear, detailed understanding of their roles and are accountable for learning, skill development and follow-through on tasks to meet the expectations of their position. 

• Evaluate and manage the performance of Store Team members through dialogues, development plans, feedback, and follow-ups, and take actions to improve performance to support the business needs. 

Recruitment & Retention

• Create an equitable, inspiring, and inclusive work environment that encourages and fosters collaboration, honesty, openness, and is welcoming for all. 

• Hire and develop a strong and diverse team that includes team members with various experiences, backgrounds, and skillsets to drive store operations. 

• Partner with Recruiting/HR, District Managers, and store teams to identify and attract strong talent from both internal and external sources to successfully fill open positions. 

Operate & Delegate 

• Leverage tools, reports, and insights to make appropriate adjustments that result in increased sales and service for customers. 

• Execute the store operations playbook to ensure a clean, friendly, and efficient store.  

• Achieve financial and operational store objectives including expense control, loss prevention, and store audits.  

• Clean and maintain the store; we lead by example, meaning all team members participate regularly in store cleaning tasks. 

• Lead store team through store opening and closing, implementation of visual merchandising directives while maintaining standards consistent with Pet Food Express’ brand guidelines. Communicate with corporate partners regarding assortments, trends, and replenishment. 

• Support overall store operations by performing additional duties as assigned, including tasks not necessarily covered by this listing. 

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3+ years of successful retail store management experience demonstrating dynamic leadership skills with the ability to lead, motivate and develop future leaders. 

• Drive and Ambition. We’re growing and need people who can grow with us.  

• Eagerness to learn and a willingness to lead and participate in daily educational activities. 

• Proficiency in interpreting and using retail financial metrics to drive key performance indicators (KPI). 

• Demonstrated ability to set standards and hold self and team accountable. 

• Commitment to deliver an outstanding customer experience. 

• Willingness to travel between multiple store locations. 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business; will require weekends, evenings, and holidays. 

• Must be able to lift, move and carry up to 35 pounds while using the appropriate lifting techniques and following all safety rules. 

• Ability to climb and balance using a ladder and/or step stool. 

• Ability to continuously stand, walk, bend, stretch and engage in repetitive motions throughout shift. 

PFE Perks:

• Grow with us: Many potential career paths and options for advancement within the company 

• Continued Learning: A focus on your development and leadership training. Investment in your pet and product knowledge, you'll never see pets the same way!  

• In-store employee discount that extends to your family. 

• Benefits: All employees are eligible to participate in a number of Company-sponsored benefits, such as life insurance, pet insurance, Employee Assistance Program(EAP) and more.  

• FT employees are eligible for Health coverage, FSA options, dental, and vision insurance. 

• Plan for the future: 401k with employer match. 

• Bring your well-behaved pet to work. 

• Opportunities to make an impact in the community through the Pet Food Express Pet Fair, in-store fundraisers and adoption events benefiting local rescue and shelter partners, and more!  

The salary range for this position is expected to be $28.00 - $30.00 per hour. Pet Food Express determines starting salary based on many factors, including but not limited to, local market rate, the qualified pool of candidates, internal compensation practices, a candidate’s actual skills and experience, and budget constraints. 

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.

Pet Food Express is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. This applies to all Pet Food Express activities, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline and discharge. Pet Food Express also provides reasonable accommodation of religion and disability in accordance with applicable law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Pet Food Express is a place where everyone can learn and grow. However you identify and whatever your background, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come to work every day.

For applicants in our San Francisco, or Los Angeles locations: Pursuant to the 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.