Shift Manager / Leader – Cat’s Critters Exotic Pet Store
Location: Norman, OK
Job Type: Up to Full-Time (30–40 hours/week)
Pay: Based on experience, with opportunities for advancement
About Us
Cat’s Critters is a locally owned exotic pet store known for high-quality care, ethical practices, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. We specialize in birds, reptiles, and small mammals, and we pride ourselves on providing excellent education, compassionate customer service, and above-and-beyond animal care.
We’re looking for a dependable, people-focused Shift Manager who wants to grow with us and help elevate the store’s daily operations.
Position Overview
The shift manager supports the Owner and Management Team by running smooth daily operations, leading staff, maintaining store standards, and ensuring customers feel heard, supported, and excited about their pets.
Animal knowledge is helpful, as well as management and leadership experience. Training is provided on our care systems and standards.
This role is perfect for someone who has been a Shift Lead/Key Holder in big-box pet retail or other customer-service-focused environments and is ready for a more meaningful, hands-on, higher-quality animal care setting.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and support the team during open hours; ensure daily task lists are completed correctly and efficiently
- Oversee store operations including opening/closing, cash handling, and customer flow
- Train new staff on customer service, store procedures, and daily care expectations
- Provide confident, friendly, above-and-beyond customer service
- Animal care (watering, feeding, wellness checks — training provided!)
- Maintain a clean, safe, organized retail environment
- Help prevent mistakes, uphold high standards, and model a positive, calm leadership style
- Act as the go-to decision-maker when the owner is off-site
Who You Are
- Trustworthy, reliable, and consistent
- Experienced in leading teams (Shift Lead, Manager-on-Duty, Key Holder, etc.)
- Comfortable holding others accountable in a respectful, clear way
- Friendly, great at communicating, and able to keep the store running smoothly
- Able to work weekends and some evenings
- Willing to learn our systems for animal care (no specialized background required)
- Calm under pressure, solutions-oriented, and able to redirect tasks without conflict
- Passionate about animals and people—even if you’re still learning the specifics
Nice-to-Have Experience
- Big-box retail or pet retail experience
- Customer-facing management experience
- Any background with exotic pets, birds, or small animals
(Not required—just a plus!)
Why Join Cat’s Critters?
- A positive, supportive work environment
- A chance to grow into a higher-level management role
- Meaningful work in a store that values quality care, ethical practices, and education
- Consistent schedule and clear expectations
- Work directly with animals and customers in a fun, fast-paced setting
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $10.00 - $12.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
Application Question(s):
- Do you have animal experience? Even if that is with personal pets?
- How long have you held a position of leadership or management of others? If any.
Ability to Commute:
- Norman, OK 73069 (Required)
Work Location: In person
