Shift Leader / Key Holder - Specialty Pet Retail

Shift Leader – Specialty Pet Store

Do you love animals, enjoy helping people, and take pride in being someone your team can count on? Our locally owned specialty pet store is looking for a dependable, motivated Shift Leader to help lead our team and keep the store running smoothly.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys taking responsibility, working independently, supporting coworkers, and creating a positive experience for both customers and their pets.

As a Shift Leader, you'll play an important role in the day-to-day operation of the store. You'll lead by example, help support your coworkers, assist customers with their pets' needs, and be trusted to open and close the store and keep each shift on track.

What Makes This Role Great

• Work in a specialty pet store where your interest in animals can be part of your everyday work
• Build relationships with customers and help them find products that are right for their pets
• Learn about pet nutrition, wellness, and specialty products
• Take on meaningful leadership responsibility in a small, close-knit team
• Develop your knowledge of the pet industry and grow your leadership skills
• Have the opportunity to work independently and make decisions throughout your shift
• Be part of a locally owned business where your contributions make a real difference

Schedule: 25–35 hours per week

Must be available to work most Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

This is a hands-on leadership position. Some shifts you'll work alongside other team members, while at other times you'll be responsible for running the store independently.

What You'll Do

• Provide friendly, knowledgeable customer service and help customers choose products that best meet their pets' needs
• Learn about pet nutrition, health, and wellness products so you can confidently guide customers toward informed choices
• Lead by example and support team members throughout your shift
• Open and close the store and ensure the store is ready for customers
• Keep daily tasks and shift priorities organized and on track
• Operate the register and accurately handle cash and card transactions
• Restock shelves and maintain a clean, organized, well-stocked sales floor
• Assist with unloading deliveries and organizing inventory
• Help maintain store standards and ensure daily responsibilities are completed
• Use good judgment, solve problems, and take initiative when working independently
• At times, serve as the primary team member in the store, assisting customers, managing the register, and keeping operations running smoothly

What We're Looking For

• Previous leadership or key-holder experience is required — Shift Leader, Key Holder, Team Lead, Assistant Manager, or similar experience
• Previous retail or customer-service experience is required
• Retail leadership experience is preferred
• Comfortable using a register and handling cash/card payments
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Dependable, punctual, and accountable
• Comfortable taking initiative and making decisions independently
• Able to motivate and support others while maintaining a positive, team-focused environment
• Comfortable working independently when needed
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs
• A genuine passion for animals and their health and well-being

We're Looking for Someone We Can Count On

We're a small, close-knit team, so dependability is especially important. We're looking for someone who takes pride in being reliable, communicates proactively when issues arise, and understands that their coworkers count on them to show up ready to contribute and lead each shift.

Pay: Based on experience.

If you're an experienced retail leader who loves animals, enjoys working with people, and is looking for a role where you can make a real difference in a small business, we'd love to hear from you!

To Apply

Please email your resume and references along with a short note about your interest in the position.

Include 2–3 sentences about why you enjoy working with animals or helping pet owners.

No phone calls, please.

Pay: $16.00 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Application Question(s):

• In this role, you’ll help ensure tasks are completed accurately and support the team when something needs attention. Can you share a time you noticed an issue at work and how you helped resolved it?
• Having availability on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays would be required. Please describe your typical availability, the number of hours per week you hope to work, and whether you are looking for a short-term or long-term position
• What interests you about working in a specialty pet store, and why do you enjoy helping pet owners?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $22