It's no surprise people are passionate about the health and happiness of their pet and our Merchandising (buying) team is no different. When it comes to the products and solutions in our stores, our incredible teams of merchandising associates have everything covered – from head to tail! From keeping up with the top trends to developing new, innovative solutions, our buyers help ensure every pet parent can find exactly what their pet needs at PetSmart. Join our team and show your love for pets by creating products as special as pets themselves!

Collaborative & Flexible Work Environment: We believe in fostering growth, teamwork and creativity in a dynamic workplace. This role is based at PetSmart’s Phoenix Home Office, where associates currently enjoy the benefits of in-person collaboration while having the flexibility to work remotely one day per week (a “flex workday” with leader approval), and an expected four days in the office. At PetSmart, you’ll be part of an engaging and supportive environment designed to help you and our teams thrive.

Exotic Animal Veterinarian

PetSmart is seeking a highly skilled and passionate Exotic Animal Veterinarian to join our dynamic team at our Phoenix Home Office. This crucial role involves safeguarding the health and well-being of a diverse population of pets, including birds, small exotic mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, across our extensive network of 1600+ stores. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise in multi-species medicine and surgery, disease pathogenesis, and data-driven decision-making to drive continuous improvement in pet health standards and operational efficiencies. This position requires a blend of clinical acumen, analytical rigor, and exceptional communication skills, with the opportunity to influence pet health practices at a national level.

Responsibilities:

• Vendor Audits and Supplier Management: Conduct thorough audits of live animal suppliers in the United States and Canada to ensure adherence to stringent health and safety standards.
• Store Support and Veterinary Consultation: Provide expert veterinary consultation to PetSmart stores and their local veterinarians, addressing complex health issues and developing effective treatment protocols.
• Pet Health Monitoring and Protocol Development: Monitor pet loss and health trends across all stores, analyze data to identify areas for improvement, and develop evidence-based protocols to enhance pet health outcomes.
• Associate Education and Training: Develop and deliver engaging educational materials and training programs for store associates, in partnership with the Store Operations and Learning Teams.
• Care Guide Development and Maintenance: Create and update comprehensive care guides and educational resources for store associates and pet parents.
• Public Relations and Communication: Serve as a subject matter expert for Marketing, Public Relations, and Corporate Communications, providing guidance on pet-related issues and publications.
• Legal and Customer Service Support: Assist legal and customer service teams in addressing pet health concerns, including infectious disease and zoonoses management.
• Merchandising and Pet Selection Support: Collaborate with the Specialty Merchandising Team to optimize product assortment and ensure responsible pet selection practices.

Requirements:

• Education: DVM, VMD, MVD, or equivalent degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in exotic animal medicine and surgery.
• Licensure: Current active veterinary license and, most specifically, Arizona State Veterinary Medical License (or ability to obtain an Arizona license within 6 months of hire).
• Accreditation: USDA Veterinary Accreditation, Category II (or ability to obtain).
• Analytical Skills: Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret complex data.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.  
• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to resolve complex issues effectively and implement corrective actions.
• Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Fast Paced Environment: Ability to prioritize and process data efficiently in a fast-paced, corporate environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Training: Post-DVM/VMD formal training (internship, residency, fellowship) in avian, exotic, aquatic, zoo, or wildlife medicine.
• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated leadership or management experience in a cross-functional environment.
• Research Experience: Experience in collaborative research and scientific study design.
• Publication Record: Record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Statistical Analysis: Experience using or interpreting results from statistical software/languages (Excel Analysis Toolpak, SPSS, SAS, R, etc.).
• Familiarity with: Power BI, Microstrategy
• International Travel: Ability to obtain a passport and necessary visas for international travel.

At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share.  These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.

Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
• On-site Dog Park
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
• On-site coffee bar
• “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
• Learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
• Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
• Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
• If you don't already live in the Phoenix area here's a guide to the area:  Welcome to Phoenix Guide

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.