District Manager - ON South West

Location: Ontario

Job Description:

Position: District Manager

Type: Full-Time

Location: Ontario

Reports to: Vice Present, Corporate Operations

About Us

Pet Valu is Canada’s leading pet specialty retailer, dedicated to strengthening the bond between dedicated pet lovers and their pets. With 50 years of animal care expertise, we operate over 800 stores across Canada under several banners, including Pet Valu, Bosley’s, Total Pet, Paulmac's Pet, Tisol & Chico. Guided by our mission to deliver products, care, expertise, and memorable moments, Pet Valu is a place where people build meaningful careers while making a positive impact on pets and communities.

What will you do?

Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Operations, the District Manager is responsible for all activities and sales results in the district located in the Ontario South West area. The District Manager will hire, train and develop their management teams to attain sales growth. They will ensure district-wide customer satisfaction and product quality, while managing the territory's financial performance, and managing safety and security within the district.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Regularly reviews outstanding vacancies; ensures all vacancies are filled in a timely manner at store
• Hiring – Create a talent pipeline by developing and maintaining proactive staffing plans for the region; plan & coordinate hiring (pre-screening, interviewing, reference checks) through others for vacancies in stores within their region
• Training – Work with store managers to ensure that all employees are adequately training in procedures and product knowledge; Ensure that the training program is utilized within their region
• Scheduling – conduct reviews of scheduling to ensure labour costs do not exceed projections
• Complete an analysis of the labour reports each pay period
• Performance Management and appraisal – Complete annual performance evaluations of all district’s Store Managers and ensure that Store Managers complete evaluations of staff
• Ensure performance issues are dealt with in a professional and timely manner; staff merit increases and position changes follow HR guidelines
• Health & Safety – ensure store managers enforce all health & safety requirements, i.e., utilizing protective devices, completion of accident reports, etc.

Operational Standards

• Complete monthly store visits
• Ensure all stores adhere to corporate standards by ensuring Store Managers audit and address any lapses
• Monitor inventory levels in stores to ensure that company standards and tolerances are met; Where variances exist, develops and follows up on action plans developed with the store manager
• Monitor freshness tracking in all stores with careful attention to reducing expiring food write-offs
• Ensure the monthly Call to Action program is executed in all stores
• Conducts regular loss prevention checks and coordinates with the Loss Prevention department to proactively address issues of shrinkage in stores within their region.
• Regularly review and analyze sales results for their area; develop and implement individual business strategies for all stores in their area to improve business results (i.e., transferring “best practices” from one store to another within their region); sets targets, Follows up regularly to monitor performance, suggest improvements, and remove obstacles where possible
• Provide after hours phone support to stores

Sales Leadership

• Regularly monitor customer service model within stores to ensure all staff interact with customers in a professional manner; Resolve serious customer complaints and/or where the manager requires assistance
• Provide regular feedback and partnership to Senior Leadership on improvements needed to grow the business and improve processes
• Conduct regular conference calls with district team to review results, provide direction on what is important to drive sales
• Participate in regional conference calls, offering insight on business trends and plans
• Complete quarterly district business plans of action
• Complete annual business review
• Foster a sales and profit focused positive environment in the district

Store and Chain Growth

• Ensure Operation Department’s responsibilities in district store makeovers are completed on time
• Assist in the opening/closing/relocation/makeovers of stores as required
• Ensure that all new stores are operational upon opening— i.e. open on time, with well-trained staff
• Monitor local competition and reports to the Real Estate department on relevant market activity, i.e., construction, anchor tenant changes, mall renovations, new home development

Administration

• Ensure that store deficiencies are reported, and addressed
• Review communication memos, emails and distributes information to the region as required and ensure they are acted upon
• Complete and submit reports on operations – Brand Standards, Quarterly Business plans of action etc.
• Work on special projects as required

Finance/Sales/Reports

• Prepare expense reports, code expenses and submit receipts as directed by corporate.
• Analyze reports, communicate appropriate information to Regional Director to maximize business opportunities and improve district profit
• Review profit and loss statements. Determine areas of opportunity to improve and maximize bottom line profit.
• Control and minimize expenses through POS discounts, store use of supplies, employee discounts, and damaged inventory.
• Drive sales and create a team-oriented environment through customer service role plays, communicating shop scores, and developing in store contests
• Collect and analyze a variety of data sometimes creating, preparing and maintaining spreadsheets and workbooks.
• Participate in loss prevention awareness by overseeing ADT reports and following up on all exceptions. Perform random audits of petty cash; cash pickups, etc. in stores.
• Maintain vendor relations by submitting invoices and purchase orders in a timely manner.
• Ensure loss prevention directives are in place. Work directly with LP Manager in cases of employee theft.

Inventory/Merchandising:

• Assist store management in maintaining inventory levels ensuring stock does not deplete
• Ensure stores are in compliance of organizational standards and stockroom/restroom standards are met.
• Eliminate loss and maintain store ambiance by ensuring 8-week cleaning rotations is implemented in ever store.
• Control loss by destroying damaged goods at store level
• Ensure aquarium systems are to standards and that water tests within proper range to minimize loss in fish.
• Ensure only corporate approved fixtures and advertisement promotional materials are used in stores
• Ensure store ambiance and merchandising execution standards are met in every store.
• Prepare and perform physical inventories ensuring accurate counts are taken

Staffing and Training:

• Ensure the district is fully staffed and maintains quality bench strength.
• Control payroll expenses by assisting the store manager in scheduling budgeted hours. Ensure store manager is scheduling based on business needs
• Interview, hire and train store management
• Motivate, coach, counsel and develop teams focused on selling.
• Manage and approve vacation requests ensuring stores are always adequately scheduled
• Arrange travel for self and managers to attend company meetings and training seminars securing the best rates possible.

Communication

• Shares best practices, successes and opportunities with the organization.
• Streamline all communication and ensure company directives are implemented by deadlines specified
• Participate in special projects administered from corporate office
• Participate in community events through planning, organizing and executing as needed
• Works closely with store and corporate teams to bridge any communication and operational gaps to increase effectiveness and production

Experience, Education, Certifications

• College level graduate (preferably from a Business, Retail or Marketing program and/or extensive retail experience
• Minimum of 2 to 3 years retail chain experience at a District or multi-store management level leading 10+ stores in a large retail chain; ideally gained in a progressive operations roles
• Demonstrate strong retail visual merchandising skills
• Ability to travel, visit stores and attend meetings
• Proficiency with Word and Excel software programs
• Strong time management and prioritization skills and solutions.

Ready to join the team?

We’re looking for passionate people who bring strong skills and live our core values of safety, compassion, expertise, and efficiency every day. If you’re energized by doing meaningful work, taking pride in what you deliver, and making a real impact for pets, people, and communities, you’ll feel right at home here. Join us and build a career where purpose, care, and excellence come together - because love lives here™.

Why work for us?

At Pet Valu, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re passionate about creating an environment where you feel supported, included, and empowered to grow - both personally and professionally. Some of the perks of working with us include:

• Hybrid, Flexible Work Options
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits
• Employee Share Purchase Plan with company matching
• Learning and Development support tailored to you
• An inclusive, collaborative culture where your voice matters
• Fun company events that keep us connected
• Preferred rates for car rentals, hotels, phone plans and gym discounts
• Generous employee discounts on our products

Pet Valu is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and accessibility. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).