Technical Associate Jobs in Waterloo, ON (NOW HIRING)

PetSmart does Anything for Pets – JOIN OUR TEAM! 

Pet Groomer and Salon Trainer

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 

Take care of yourself and your family members—whether they be two-legged or four, have feathers, fur, or fins. Enjoy true rewards (plus lots of warm, fuzzy feelings)! Check out some of our AWEsome offerings: 

• Paid Weekly
• Health & Wellness Benefits*
• Group Registered Retirement Plan (RRSP) with company match
• Paid Time off for full-time associates
• Associate discounts 
• Tuition Assistance 
• Career pathing 
• Development opportunities 

Job summary  

PetSmart’s Salon Experience Lead (Groomer & Salon Trainer) is responsible for providing exceptional service to pet parents and supporting a high performing team while upholding the company’s vision, mission, values, and strategy. This role will deliver professional quality services with the upmost focus on quality and care of pets. The Salon Experience Lead will support the development of bathers and new stylists, seeing them through the entire pet stylist development program.  

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. 
• Responsible for developing new and existing associates through bather and/or stylist certification process. 
• Identifies candidates internally to attend academy training to become stylists. 
• Delegate and validate completion of daily tasks for salon. 
• Address and administer associate complaints and grievances.  
• Recognizes and celebrates associates driving overall associate engagement. 

Salon and Overall Store Experience:  

• Responsible for pet parent experience and the outcomes of interactions conducted over the telephone, in person or online, and responding to general pet parent concerns. 
• Greets and supports pet parents, answers their questions and recommends wellness solutions based on the pets’ need. 
• Engages with pet parents at checkout to drive connection and rebooking.  
• Communicates and drives pet parent engagement around marketing promotions. 
• Utilizes salon tools including the booking system and call logs to make reservations and conduct necessary appointment calls. 
• Maintains store standards and leads a culture of empowerment by ensuring compliance to our policies and procedures (P&Ps) and code of ethics. 
• Independently performs full menu of bath, brush and grooming services and standalone services, such as nail trims, teeth brushing, and sanitary services in accordance with PetSmart’s bathing standards and procedures.  
• Promotes opportunities to grow salon sales to help achieve sales targets and productivity, and any other relevant salon metrics.  
• Maintains operational standards including cleanliness, sanitation, and humane conditions for all pets in the grooming area.  
• Responsible for taking immediate action and reporting when a sick/injured pet is identified in the store; transport to the vet as needed.  
• Maintains communication with Experience Leader on business trends and provides best practices to suggest for implementation. 
• Communicates and reports any facilities or supply needs to the Experience Leader or Leader on Duty. 
• Recommends, informs, and sells services and merchandise. 
• Assists and works in other departments as required. Other duties may be assigned. 

Qualifications

• 2+ years grooming experience; may be asked to complete a technical exam.  
• Full time availability required, flexibility in schedule, able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed  
• Proficiency with use of tools, equipment and products to perform technical work safely. 
• 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 and safety measures. 

Supervisory responsibilities

• No direct reports, however, are expected to guide and support the development of other associates. 
• Provides feedback on associate performance to direct supervisor.  

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!  

This posting reflects an existing vacancy, and we are actively seeking candidates for this role.

PetSmart is an Equal Opportunity Employer  

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, colour, 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/ca/

*Part-time employees in Saskatchewan only may be eligible for medical and other benefits after completing six months of continuous service and working an average of at least 15 hours per week.