MITCHELL GASSNER

3058-B Telegraph Rd
St. Louis, MO 63125
Phone: 314-596-1532
mg5bcf36@westpost.net

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Accomplished professional with over 14 years of demonstrated retail leadership s
kills. Proven ability to provide the vision and direction for developing and exe
cuting strategies that reach long term objectives. Skilled in analyzing operatio
ns and activity reports to make decisions directed at immediate profit and sales
objectives. Considered by supervisors as a goal-oriented and motivational leade
r with a proven record in recruiting, coaching, and retaining high caliber talen
t. Regarded as an analytical and intuitive problem solver with exceptional commu
nication, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BLOCKBUSTER INC. - Dallas, Texas 2002 to Feb 2010
Leader in home video entertainment with sales in excess of $4 billion and more t
han 3000 stores in the United States. Along with traditional brick and mortar lo
cations, Blockbuster offers movie rentals and sales through kiosks, mail deliver
y, and direct download over the internet.
District Manager - St. Louis, Missouri (2008-2010)
Responsible for driving revenue and maximizing profits for 15 high volume media
entertainment units with annual sales of over $11 million. Responsibilities incl
uded store operations, staffing, loss prevention, HR management, increasing sale
s, and promoting a superior customer service environment. Supervised 11 single s
tore managers, 2 multi-store managers, and 140 total employees.
*Increased 2008 same store comparative sales by 7.3%
*Ranked 1st out of 13 in region for operating margin in 2009
*Finished in the top 25% of company in overall key metrics all four quarters of
2009
*Developed merchandising tactics that resulted in a 26% increase in consumable s
ales with ideas implemented region wide
*Ranked 2nd in company for loyalty sales and ranked 1st for several short term s
ales initiatives in 2009
*Reduced 2009 year over year physical inventory loss by 57%
*Reduced 2009 year over year compensation by 15%
*Mentored and placed 2 multi-store managers in 2009, creating a savings of over
$50,000 per year in labor
*Reduced turnover by 24% in 2009 by strengthening store manager's hiring skills
and aggressively coaching all levels of management on setting expectations and f
ollow up
Store Manager - St. Louis, Missouri (2002-2008)
Responsible for driving revenue and maximizing profit in a single retail unit. U
tilized management information tools and analyzed financial reports to identify
and address trends and issues in store performance. Accountable for hiring, trai
ning, and continued coaching of staff to ensure execution of company standards a
nd sales expectations. Empowered all employees to provide the highest level of c
ustomer service.
*Increased same store comparative sales and operating margin 26 of 28 quarters 2
002-2008
*Maintained 100% training compliance 2002-2008 by personally mentoring newly hir
ed employees for first 30 days.
*District Training Store Manager 2003-2005. Responsible for identifying, trainin
g, and promoting internal candidates as well as training all new Store Managers
and District Managers on daily store operations.
*Multi Unit Manager June 2006-March 2007
*Awarded Regional Store Manager Rookie of the Year 2002

WAL-MART INC. - Bentonville, Arkansas 1995 to 2002

Leader in discount retail, with sales of $405 billion and over 8400 stores world
wide.
Assistant Store Manager - Kirkwood, Missouri (1998-2002)
Directed the performance of 13 department managers and 150+ sales associates. An
alyzed daily reports to act upon opportunities and maximize revenue. Developed p
artnerships with vendors to ensure product availability and maximize gross margi
n.
*Selected as Regional Training Manager for backroom and inventory process phase
1 improvements in 2000
*Involved in 3 store remodels and 2 new store openings.
*Mentored, trained, and promoted 7 sales associates to department manager
Department Manager - Springfield, Missouri (1995-1998)
Responsible for daily operations of the dry grocery department. Accountable for
the ordering, stocking, and merchandising of all products. Delegated and followe
d up on daily tasks to ensure compliance with all store, district, and company e
xpectations.
*Winner of 7 Volume Producing Item contests. The monthly contest consisted of al
l Assistant Managers and Department Managers selecting, merchandising, and promo
ting an underdeveloped item, with the winner being the one to generate the large
st year over year profit comps.
*Received 5 Gold Star Visit awards from district and regional staff.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
*Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
*Familiar with computer hardware including basic networking.
EDUCATION
*Area of Study - Computer Science, University of Missouri Rolla - Rolla, Missour
i
*Completed Wal-Mart Advanced Leadership Training in 1999
*Completed Operations - Loss Prevention training at Blockbuster
*Completed Operations - Financials training at Blockbuster