District Manager - Ab South

Location: Alberta
Job Description:Position:District Manager
Type:Full-Time
Location:AB South
Reports to: Manager Regional Corporate
About UsPet 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 Manager Regional Corporate, the District Manager is responsible for all activities and sales results in the district located in the Calgary/Red Deer and surrounding area as needed. 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.
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 theopening/closing/relocation/makeoversof 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
Qualifications & Experience
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 role
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:
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).
At Pet Valu, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our hiring practices. This posting is for an existing vacancy. Pet Valu may use AI enabled technology to assist in the recruitment process for positions. While AI tools support our recruitment process, all decisions throughout the process are made exclusively by Pet Valu’s hiring team.
At no stage does AI determine recruitment outcomes.
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