Job Details

Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents and people!

If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we workto improve lives by doing what's right for pets, people and our planet.

• We love all pets like our own
• We're the future of the pet industry
• We're here to improve lives
• We drive outstanding results together
• We're welcome as we are

Petco isa category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco partners. We are 29,000 strong and operate 1,500+ pet care centers in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. We're focused on purpose-driven work, and strongly believe what's good for pets, people and our planet is good for Petco.

The Buyer is an elevated omnichannel merchandising leader responsible for owning and driving the end-to-end performance of 1-2 departments across all channels. This role combines strong commercial ownership with trend leadership, product innovation, and strategic vendor partnership. The Buyer develops and executes category strategies that deliver compelling assortments, differentiated product, and a steady flow of newness at the right price and right time to meet evolving customer expectations.

This role operates with high autonomy, strong financial acumen, and a customer-first mindset. The Buyer leads product, price, promotion, and placement decisions; partners closely across cross-functional teams; and regularly represents the category in executive product style-outs and walks with the Chief Product & Customer Officer and senior leaders.

This role is based out of our National Support Center in San Diego and has a hybrid work schedule, with in-office work on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Key Responsibilities

Category Ownership & Strategy

• Own the omnichannel category strategy and performance for 1-2 departments, aligned to DMM vision and company goals.
• Develop and execute seasonal and annual category plans that drive sales, margin, market share, and customer relevance.
• Translate trends, insights, and customer behavior into actionable assortment strategies.
• Lead product architecture across good/better/best, price tiers, and use-case segmentation.
• Deliver a consistent flow of innovation and product newness tied to trends, white space, and customer needs.

Product, Assortment & Trend Leadership

• Lead end-to-end assortment decisions across channels (store + digital).
• Identify emerging trends, competitive gaps, and innovation opportunities through market analysis and competitive shopping.
• Champion differentiated, compelling product that strengthens brand positioning and customer value.
• Regularly participate in product reviews, style-outs, and executive walks; confidently present product strategy and decisions.
• Ensure assortments reflect customer, channel, and space needs.

Financial & Business Performance

• Own and deliver to sales, margin, turn, and inventory targets.
• Build and manage OTB and assortment plans in partnership with Merchandising Planning and Demand Planning.
• Monitor weekly/monthly performance and take fast action on risks and opportunities.
• Make data-driven decisions with strong command of KPIs, forecasts, and financial levers.
• Drive promotional strategies that balance top-line growth and profitability.

Vendor Strategy & Negotiation

• Lead vendor selection, negotiations, and cost management to secure best total value.
• Negotiate costs, terms, funding, and exclusive offerings.
• Build long-term, strategic partnerships with key vendors focused on innovation, speed, and differentiation.
• Hold vendors accountable for performance, quality, delivery, and innovation pipelines.
• Collaborate with Owned Brands, Sourcing, and Product Development partners where applicable.

Omnichannel Execution (Product, Price, Promotion, Placement)

• Align product strategies across store and digital channels for cohesive customer experience.
• Partner with Digital and Store Operations to optimize launches, storytelling, and conversion.
• Collaborate with Space Planning and Visual teams on placement and presentation strategies.
• Ensure pricing and promotional strategies are competitive, intentional, and performance-driven.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with:
  • Merchandising Planning
  • Demand Planning
  • Space & Visual Planning
  • Owned Brands / Product Development / Design
  • Store Operations
  • Digital & eCommerce
  • Marketing
  • Sourcing & QA
• Lead cross-functional alignment from concept through launch and lifecycle management.
• Serve as the category point of view in cross-functional forums.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop at least one direct report (Assistant Buyer).
• Set clear priorities, performance expectations, and development plans.
• Build a high-ownership, high-accountability team culture.
• Delegate effectively while maintaining strong category oversight.

Qualifications

Experience

• 5-8+ years of merchandising or buying experience in a retail environment.
• Proven ownership of a category or department with P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated success driving sales and margin growth.
• Experience in omnichannel retail strongly preferred.
• Track record of vendor negotiation and strategic partnership building.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong trend and product intuition paired with analytical rigor.
• Deep financial and KPI fluency - "knows the numbers" and runs the business accordingly.
• Confident executive presence; able to lead product walks and style-outs with senior leaders.
• Excellent negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and influence.
• High ownership mindset with bias for action and results.
• Customer-obsessed and competitive - energized by market and store insights.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills in a fast-moving environment.

Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate:

• Brings energy, urgency, and commitment to winning.
• Acts like an owner of the business, not just a manager of tasks.
• Is excited to competitive shop and stay close to stores and customers.
• Balances creativity and innovation with operational excellence.
• Moves quickly, learns fast, and adapts to changing customer expectations.
• Champions newness, differentiation, and value in every assortment decision.

#LI-LF2

#CORP

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.

The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.

$103,800.00 - $155,700.00

/ year

For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO -see

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