Management

ROD W. SANNER

** ******** ***** ~ Palm Coast, FL 32164

(H) 386-***-**** ~ (C) 386-***-**** ~ (E) *********@*****.***

www.linkedin.com/in/rodsanner

SALES & OPERATIONS PROFESSIONAL

Experienced retail sales manager with a deep understanding of successful operations and the unique ability to motivate teams to deliver profitable results. Engaged leader focused on employee training and development to drive sales through quality customer service. Resourceful problem solver adept at transforming challenging stores into profitable locations within a short timeframe. Additional expertise in the following competencies:

P&L Optimization Sales & Marketing New Store Operations

Business Development Merchandising Safety Initiatives

Expense Management Loss Prevention Training & Development

Strategic Planning Site Selection Presentations

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Selected to lead a special project that turned around the Arizona and California markets. Successfully improved productivity in 55 Bealls Outlet stores within 3 months -- from 10% below to 5% above comparable stores.

Set District Manager record by achieving $3 million in profit, worth 10% of total profit, by consistently promoting best practices in all store operations, especially floor plans, signage, and appearance.

As a Payroll Planning Committee member, increased company-wide District Manager productivity and saved 5% in payroll expense by rolling out a new payroll/sales calculation tool for managers.

Introduced the Big Men’s and Medical Scrubs departments in the Mid-South market and continued the new lines across all stores, adding over $4.5 million in total sales.

RETAIL EXPERIENCE

LET’S PLAY, LLC, Palm Coast, FL

Co-Owner 2006-Present

Led the opening of the first indoor play center in Palm Coast that promotes exercise and social skills for kids under 13. The 4,400 square foot facility features a 28' x 32' play structure with slides, a zipline, climbing spaces, toys and a party rental room. Currently manage business development functions, including sales and marketing initiatives. Key achievements include:

Identifying a target market and assessing competition based on extensive demographic studies of over 200 sq. miles.

Creating and implementing a business plan, with P&L projections, while successfully procuring funds from a lending institution and the required licenses and permits from state regulatory agencies.

Negotiating lease terms, remodeling the facility and directing the custom design and assembly of the play structure.

Developing marketing programs and implementing sales strategies to increase business in a weak economy, such as:

Designing and launching a website with advertising to promote specials, coupons and party rentals

Sub-leasing the party rental room for yoga, dance, education and adult fitness classes

Offering a discount to repeat customers as well as local schools and churches on special days

Partnering with day care centers for field trips featuring the play area or using the party room for classes

Generating positive word-of-mouth support through public relations with local officials and school administrators

Testing an e-marketing campaign through the collection and use of customer email addresses

BEALLS OUTLET (subsidiary of Bealls, Inc.) - Bradenton, FL

Regional Director – Northeast/Central Florida and Mid-South Markets 2001-2006

Drove sales and operations for up to 76 stores worth over $80 million in sales volume while managing 7 District Managers (DMs) and 500 employees. Identified opportunities for new locations and worked with internal partners on site selection, store design and set-up, staff recruiting and training, operational infrastructure and the functionality of POS systems. Communicated frequently with DMs about strategic plans and new initiatives while utilizing store visits to optimize execution.

Northeast/Central Florida Market, 2003-2006

Selected to lead statewide store preparation and recovery efforts post-hurricane season in 2004 and 2005. Assessed 20 locations, including structure, merchandise and fixtures. Determined over 75% were severely damaged and closed those locations for necessary salvage and repair operations.

As Chairman of the Personnel and Safety Committee, developed and implemented an initiative that reduced the company’s tax obligation by more than $80,000 annually through the WOTC program.

Redesigned the Regional Director (RD), District Manager (DM) and Store Manager (SM) annual performance appraisals to address accountability issues in key areas such as safety, gross sales margin and controllable expenses.

Raised safety awareness in the region through frequent communications with DMs, reducing accidents by 55%.

Mid-South Market (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri), 2001-2003

Opened over 29 new stores along with hiring and developing 3 DMs in all aspects of operations.

Resolved confusion about the brand name through community outreach and employee education programs.

Delivered a profit in this market for the first time by establishing an operational infrastructure that utilized best practices and procedures as well as extensive employee training.

Developed a travelling “Operations Specialist” role to address vacant key positions in new and underperforming stores without affecting other locations. This role also provided strong SMs training experience for the DM position.

District Manager – Ocala and Fort Meyers Areas, Florida Markets 1994-2001

Directed all aspects of operations for up to 15 stores worth over $18 million in sales volume. Led SMs to achieve maximum sales and profitability through customer service, merchandising, training and employee management. Managed P&Ls, inventory, shrinkage, loss prevention, payroll and expense functions. Highlights include:

Awarded District Manager of the Year in 1999 and Co-District Manager of the Year in 2000.

Tested “no advertising” strategy that was rolled out nationwide, saving $500,000 in expenses with no sales impact.

Mentored and coached over 30 store managers and supervisors into higher positions or roles with more responsibility.

Promoted strong customer service values and consistently had fewer customer complaints than the average district.

Store Manager 1991-1994

Responsible for operations of 3-5 stores. Contributed to the opening of 20 new stores. Increased sales of the Westgate store in Bradenton to #1 in sales volume and established this store as the flagship of the company.

REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE

Real Estate Associate, Prism Commercial Group, LLC, Palm Coast, FL

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Bachelor of Science in Communications, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

Bealls Outlet Management Training - MOHR Development Training, Labor Law Seminar

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