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Pet Food Express

Curated pet foods and supplies retailer

Retail Shift Lead

Full-TimePosted on 10/16/2026
$22/hr+ 401(k) match
Junior
Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA, USA
In PersonWillingness to travel among neighboring stores.
RetailRetail Store Management

About the job

Requirements
  • A passion for pets and a desire to help pet parents find the best solutions.
  • At least one year of previous leadership and keyholder experience is required; retail experience is preferred, and pet retail experience is a plus.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays, to meet business needs.
  • Willingness to travel among neighboring stores.
  • Ability to lift, move, and carry up to 35 pounds using appropriate lifting techniques and following safety rules.
  • Ability to climb and balance using a ladder or step stool.
  • Ability to continuously stand, walk, bend, stretch, and engage in repetitive motions throughout a shift.
Responsibilities
  • Actively approach and engage with customers and their pets.
  • Ask questions to understand customer needs and build lasting relationships.
  • Use the PFE Whole Life Approach to provide tailored recommendations that help customers and their pets live their best possible lives.
  • Participate in and lead daily training and ongoing educational programs to improve personal and team product knowledge and sales skills.
  • Stay current on new products and the pet community, and share that knowledge with the store.
  • Educate Sales Associates on product benefits to help customers find solutions for their pets’ needs.
  • As a keyholder, lead Sales Associates through store opening and closing procedures.
  • Handle cash securely and accurately by following company procedures, including opening and closing registers, processing cash drops, balancing drawers, and maintaining transaction accuracy.
  • Lead shipment unloading, restocking, and product placement while maintaining visual and display standards.
  • Ensure store displays and visual merchandising are updated according to company guidelines.
  • Clean and maintain the store, including delegating and participating in sweeping, mopping, and cleaning pet messes as needed.
  • Support loss prevention by fostering honesty and connecting customer service with shrink prevention.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned to support overall store operations.
Desired Qualifications
  • Retail environment experience is preferred.
  • Experience in pet retail is a plus.

About the company

Pet Food Express is a pet-supply retailer in California that focuses on selling a curated selection of high-quality pet products with knowledgeable, customer-focused service. Its product approach centers on carefully chosen items rather than a broad catalog, and it supports both in-store shopping and online purchasing to meet customer needs. The company differentiates itself from large, big-box competitors by prioritizing quality and personalized service, building a loyal customer base through expertise and a strong regional presence. Its goal is to continue growing its brick-and-mortar footprint and e-commerce capabilities, expanding its reach with strategic investment and leadership to fuel the next phase of expansion.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Concord, California

Founded

1986

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Pet Food Express opened a Presidio flagship in May 2025, showing ongoing expansion.
  • Pet Food Express runs veterinary clinics across California, boosting convenience and repeat visitation.
  • More than 300 rescue partnerships strengthen community goodwill and local customer loyalty.

What critics are saying

  • Rainier Partners ownership pressures a growth sale or margin expansion by 2027.
  • Chewy and Petco keep compressing pricing power while Pet Food Express stays California-bound.
  • If store traffic weakens, clinics and retail cross-sell lose leverage and growth stalls.

What makes Pet Food Express unique

  • California-only footprint gives Pet Food Express dense local brand recognition.
  • In-store veterinary clinics via VIP Petcare create sticky traffic and recurring visits.
  • Curated premium assortment and trained staff differentiate it from big-box commodity pet retail.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
  • Paid Vacation
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Employee Discounts
  • Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

3%

1 year growth

4%

2 year growth

4%
VCA Online
Aug 11th, 2022
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