Job Description

Assistant Manager

The Dog Stop® – West Broad

9132 West Broad Street Henrico, VA 23294

Position Type

Full-Time | Salaried/Hourly (Based on Experience)

Compensation

Competitive Salary Based on Experience

About The Dog Stop®

The Dog Stop® is a premium dog daycare, boarding, grooming, retail, and training facility dedicated to providing exceptional care for every dog while delivering an outstanding customer experience. We are seeking a mature, experienced, hands-on Assistant General Manager who is passionate about dogs, possesses exceptional leadership skills, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

This is not a desk job.

The Assistant Manager is expected to lead by example, work alongside the team, solve problems quickly, coach employees, ensure the safety of every canine guest, and maintain the highest standards of customer service and operational excellence.

The successful candidate will be dependable, accountable, emotionally mature, and capable of making sound decisions in the absence of the Owner or General Manager.

Position Summary

The Assistant Manager serves as the second-in-command of the facility and is responsible for overseeing daily operations, supervising staff, ensuring the health and safety of all dogs, delivering exceptional customer service, driving revenue growth, and maintaining operational efficiency.

This position requires flexibility and dedication. The Assistant Manager must be willing to work evenings, weekends, holidays, extended hours during peak seasons, and be available when operational needs arise.

Essential Responsibilities Leadership & Operations

• Lead, motivate, coach, and develop a team of up to 20 employees.
• Hold team members accountable to company policies, procedures, and performance standards.
• Serve as Manager-on-Duty in the absence of the Owner or General Manager.
• Maintain a positive, professional, and respectful work environment.
• Address employee performance concerns through coaching, documentation, and corrective action.
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, hiring, on-boarding, and training new employees.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide continuous coaching.
• Develop daily staffing plans and adjust assignments based on business needs.
• Ensure all opening and closing procedures are completed accurately.
• Assist in scheduling while maintaining labor cost goals.

Canine Care & Safety

• Supervise all daycare, boarding, and playgroup operations.
• Ensure safe handling of dogs using proper canine body language and behavior assessment techniques.
• Monitor canine interactions and intervene appropriately to prevent conflicts.
• Perform dog introductions safely.
• Recognize signs of illness, injury, stress, aggression, and behavioral changes.
• Ensure all sanitation and disease prevention protocols are followed.
• Maintain accurate feeding, medication, and enrichment records.
• Ensure all dogs receive exceptional care consistent with The Dog Stop standards.

Customer Service Excellence

• Deliver an exceptional client experience at every interaction.
• Professionally resolve customer concerns and complaints.
• Conduct facility tours for prospective clients.
• Build long-term relationships with customers.
• Promote daycare memberships, boarding, grooming, retail products, and training services.
• Maintain accurate customer records using MyTime.

Sales & Business Development

• Meet and exceed monthly sales goals.
• Increase daycare memberships and boarding reservations.
• Promote grooming, retail, and training services.
• Build relationships with local businesses and community organizations.
• Coordinate marketing initiatives and community outreach events.
• Assist in managing social media content and customer engagement.

Inventory & Facility Management

• Manage inventory levels and ordering.
• Monitor retail merchandising and product displays.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization throughout the facility.
• Ensure equipment is functioning properly.
• Report maintenance issues promptly.
• Maintain compliance with all safety standards.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Process invoices and payments accurately.
• Prepare reports and operational documentation.
• Monitor daily revenue and key performance indicators.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and state regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding company operations and client information.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must possess:

• Minimum of three years of management or supervisory experience leading teams of five or more employees.
• Minimum of two years of professional canine handling experience in daycare, boarding, veterinary medicine, animal shelters, grooming, or training.
• Extensive knowledge of canine behavior, body language, playgroup management, and safety procedures.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management abilities.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm and decisive during emergencies.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to earn respect through professionalism and accountability.
• High level of integrity and sound judgment.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Proficiency with Canva, Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience using scheduling, point-of-sale, or kennel management software preferred.
• Reliable transportation with excellent attendance and punctuality.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Bend, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs frequently.
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Safely restrain dogs of all breeds and sizes.
• Maintain awareness in a fast-paced environment with multiple simultaneous responsibilities.

Desired Personal Characteristics

We are seeking someone who is:

• A mature, dependable professional.
• A servant leader who leads by example.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Honest, trustworthy, and accountable.
• Emotionally intelligent and respectful.
• Calm under pressure.
• Comfortable making difficult decisions.
• Results-driven.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Passionate about delivering exceptional customer service.
• Able to inspire and develop others.
• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Willing to roll up their sleeves and work alongside the team.

Schedule Expectations

This position requires flexibility and may include:

• Early mornings
• Evenings
• Weekends
• Holidays
• Overtime during peak seasons
• Emergency call-ins when operational needs require management support

Preferred Experience

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in:

• Dog daycare operations
• Boarding facilities
• Veterinary hospitals
• Animal behavior
• Grooming operations
• Retail management
• Hospitality management
• Multi-unit operations
• Sales leadership
• Business development
• Team development and coaching

Why Join The Dog Stop?

This is an opportunity to build a career with a growing, Veteran-Owned business committed to excellence in pet care. We are looking for a leader who shares our commitment to safety, accountability, teamwork, and exceptional customer service.

If you are a hardworking, dependable leader with professional canine handling experience and a passion for developing people while ensuring every dog receives outstanding care, we encourage you to apply.

The Dog Stop® is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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