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Lead Store Associate Jobs in Riley, KS (NOW HIRING)

Retail Customer Service Lead

Manhattan, KS

$13.25 - $16.25/hr

Retail Customer Service Lead (Key Holder) About Life at PetSmart Our associates are the heart of ... Acts as the Leader when other Leaders are not in the store. This includes supervising associates ...

Assistant Store Manager

Manhattan, KS · On-site

$56K - $77K/yr

Enjoy Associate discounts at our stores, available to you and eligible family members. * We have a ... Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and empower a large team. * Excellent organizational and ...

Enjoy Associate discounts at our stores, available to you and eligible family members. * We have a ... Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and empower a large team. * Excellent organizational and ...

Assistant Store Manager

Manhattan, KS · On-site

$56K - $77K/yr

Enjoy Associate discounts at our stores, available to you and eligible family members. * We have a ... Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and empower a large team. * Excellent organizational and ...

Part-Time Sales Lead - Famous Footwear

Manhattan, KS · On-site

$13.25 - $16.50/hr

As a Famous Footwear Sales Lead , you are passionate about providing the best shoe store experience ... fit covered with a 30% Associate Discount across Caleres's retail stores - Famous Footwear ...

Helps oversee the daily activities of all store associates, ensuring they are performing their duties effectively and providing excellent customer service. * Assists with the receiving, unpacking ...

Helps oversee the daily activities of all store associates, ensuring they are performing their duties effectively and providing excellent customer service. * Assists with the receiving, unpacking ...

Showing results 41-60

Lead Store Associate information

See Riley, KS salary details

$21.9K

$37.5K

$71.2K

How much do lead store associate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead store associate in Riley, KS is $37,550.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31,500.00 and $37,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead store associate?

Lead Store Associates are experienced retail employees who oversee daily store operations, assist customers, and support store management. They often help train new staff, manage inventory, and ensure the store is organized and running efficiently. Lead Store Associates serve as a bridge between the sales team and management, handling customer concerns and helping to implement store policies. This role is key to maintaining high customer service standards and supporting the overall success of the retail location.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead store associate?

To thrive as a Lead Store Associate, you need strong retail sales experience, inventory management skills, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory tracking software, and basic Microsoft Office applications is typically required. Leadership, customer service excellence, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this position. These abilities are crucial for ensuring smooth store operations, motivating team members, and delivering a positive customer experience.

What are some common challenges faced by lead store associates, and how can they effectively manage them?

Lead Store Associates often encounter challenges such as balancing customer service with managerial responsibilities, handling difficult customer situations, and ensuring team productivity during busy periods. Effective time management, clear communication, and delegation are key to overcoming these challenges. Regularly checking in with team members, staying organized, and remaining adaptable can help Lead Store Associates maintain a positive store environment while meeting sales and operational goals.

What is the difference between Lead Store Associate vs Sales Associate?

AspectLead Store AssociateSales Associate
ResponsibilitiesSupervises team, assists with training, manages daily store operationsAssists customers, processes transactions, maintains product displays
CredentialsExperience in retail, leadership skills often preferredBasic retail experience, good communication skills
Work EnvironmentLeads team, involved in store management tasksCustomer-facing, sales-focused role
UsageCommonly used in retail stores for supervisory rolesCommonly used for entry-level sales positions

The main difference between a Lead Store Associate and a Sales Associate is that the Lead Store Associate has supervisory responsibilities, overseeing team members and store operations, while the Sales Associate primarily focuses on customer service and sales. Both roles require retail experience, but the Lead Store Associate often needs leadership skills and experience in store management tasks.

Infographic showing various Lead Store Associate job openings in Riley, KS as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,550 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Retail Customer Service Lead

Manhattan, KS

PetSmart
Retail • 10K+ employees

$13.25 - $16.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


PetSmart rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 1,121 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

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Job Description  

PetSmart does Anything for Pets - JOIN OUR TEAM! 

Retail Customer Service Lead (Key Holder)

About Life at PetSmart 

Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together, we're building the best team in retail through our values-based culture, connection, and teamwork. Our goal is to create a culture where associates learn and grow together, thrive as effective teams, and challenge each other to be the best they can be.

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 Experience Lead (Retail Customer Service Lead) provides exceptional pet parent service to Pet Parents while upholding the company's vision, mission, values, and strategy. This role is expected to drive the pet parent experience strategies through loyalty and promotions, and pet parent interaction throughout the store while achieving targeted results. This role has shared responsibility for the oversight of the safety of people and pets and store cleanliness, merchandising and associate engagement.   

Essential Responsibilities

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

People Leadership:  

  • 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. 
  • Validates completion of assigned operational messages and engagement video compliance.  
  • Supports the various Services businesses as needed when the Experience Leader is not available 
  • 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.  

Brand Integrity and Overall Store Experience:  

  • Responsible for pet parent experience and outcomes conducted over the telephone, in person or online, and responding to pet parent concerns. 
  • Promotes and coordinates store events and marketing for Adoptions, Vet partnerships and Shot Clinics. 
  • Responsible for live pet sales and pet adoptions. 
  • Supports with monthly live cycle counts, addresses discrepancies. 
  • Recommends, informs, and sells merchandise and services and promotes pet parent facing initiatives.  
  • Prepares online orders for pick-up in store and ensures a smooth, positive, pick-up experience  
  • Backup to 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 to our policies and procedures (P&Ps) and code of ethics. 
  • Ensures a safe environment for our associates, pets, and pet parents. 
  • Responsible for taking immediate action and reports when a sick/injured pet is identified in the store; transport to the vet as needed. 
  • Maintains sales floor, pet training, adoption center, breakroom and restroom cleanliness standards. 
  • Shared responsibility with store opening and closing procedures to ensure we uphold our brand promise. 
  • Assists and works in other departments as required. Other duties may be assigned. 
  • Follows all company policies and procedures. 

Qualifications

  • 2+ years of retail experience in a customer-focused environment. 
  • Leadership experience preferred.  
  • 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. 

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 work 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.

Pay Details 
$13.66 - 23.76
Pay Rate Type 
Hourly
Apply Now

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About PetSmart

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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. With 50,000+ associates nationwide, we foster a culture grounded in integrity, teamwork, and inclusion - where your voice is heard, your efforts are valued and your career can thrive. Together, we make a difference for pets, their people and each other.

Industry

Retail and legal services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Phoenix, AZ, US