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 Work Environment:
At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

The Vice President of Quality is responsible for leading the organization that oversees quality and social compliance for all proprietary brand products, as well as regulatory compliance for all PetSmart products. This role is essential to delivering the quality standards our customers expect and is accountable for driving the strategic quality roadmap to ensure PetSmart’s quality program evolves in line with industry trends and customer expectations.

As a subject matter expert, this leader serves as a critical business partner to Brand, Sourcing, Buying, Supply Chain, and Legal, helping to shape and deliver enterprise-wide quality and compliance initiatives. The VP of Quality provides strategic guidance by understanding business priorities and translating them into quality strategies and initiatives aligned with organizational goals.

Essential Functions

• Hold ultimate accountability for PetSmart’s product quality and compliance performance, ensuring standards align with customer expectations, maintaining customer review ratings above 4.0, and reducing product recalls and withdrawals.

• Provide leadership, vision, and direction in collaboration with Brand, Sourcing, Buying, and MP&A leadership to deliver operational and financial plans that meet or exceed company objectives.

• Lead a multi-location team across the Phoenix Home Office (PHO) and Distribution Centers (DCs), ensuring teams operate efficiently, effectively, and in alignment with PetSmart’s culture.

• Manage all quality activities, including setting product quality standards, overseeing external quality partners, evolving the supplier inspection program, driving product regulatory compliance, and managing the DC food safety program.

• Serve as the escalation point for quality concerns from Store Operations, Internal Audit, Legal, and Customer Care, ensuring issues are resolved quickly in partnership with cross-functional teams.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible sourcing/vendor management experience within a retail environment.

• Minimum 5 years of management experience.

Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive experience in establishing product quality, social compliance, and regulatory compliance standards.

• Proven planning, organizational, and business judgment skills, with the ability to anticipate operational impacts.

• Proven project management capability with the ability to build consensus and influence leaders across regions and functions.

• Extensive experience managing complex quality relationships, ideally with international and regional team exposure.

• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams that partner effectively with business owners.

• Superior analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Flexible, innovative thinker with the ability to evaluate trade-offs, generate creative solutions, and manage uncertainty.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive presence and the ability to influence and present effectively.

• Familiarity with relevant regulatory requirements and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. 

We’re more than a workplace, we’re Team PetSmart. Together, we grow, collaborate, and challenge ourselves to be the best in all we do. Our culture is built on belonging and shared purpose, where every voice and experience matters. Guided by our values, we strive to do what’s right, lead responsibly, and bring our passion for pets to life every day. 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 might be the right fit for this role or another opportunity across Team PetSmart.

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

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more

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.