Paul Rutenis
Allen,TX
Summary
C-Suite executive with a proven ability to drive results through innovative leadership. Expertise in team building and strategic alliances, delivering exceptional brand solutions across diverse organizational sizes. Track record of enhancing operational efficiency and achieving business objectives.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Consultant
Rutenis Enterprises
Allen, TX
01.2022 - Current
- Provide businesses, organizations, and schools with advice on how to build added value to an organization’s interworkings.
- Develop new solutions to enable clients to move forward and achieve performance excellence by assisting them with developing processes to grow from the bottom up.
- Responsible for assisting multiple organizations, including the Tiger Sports Shop, College Apparel Store, the University of North Texas, and private equity groups evaluating retail investments.
Chief Merchant
Grow Generation
Denver, CO
07.2020 - 06.2021
- Reported to the founder and president, responsible for a $300M business in merchandising, planning, inventory, and allocation at the nation's largest hydroponic retailer and wholesaler.
- Oversaw centralized procurement to move the business from regional purchasing to centralized distribution.
- Provided leadership and coaching for open-to-buy, SKU rationalization, pricing, and planograms to maximize store contribution.
Executive Vice President
West Marine
Watsonville, CA
06.2015 - 02.2018
- Responsible for managing the world's largest water life outfitter, a $600M company in merchandising, replenishment, allocation, and logistics.
- Managed a team of over 65 people in the Support Center, and oversaw another 250 involved with Logistics.
- Add a 5% CAGR for 3 years running by creating new branding for the store to water life outfitter.
- The business moved to omnichannel, with both an online and brick-and-mortar experience.
- Grew P&L to $37 million, up from $7 million, by collaborating directly with the executive team, increased gross margin by 200 basis points by partnering with the vendor community on costs and purchase cycles, and improved cash on hand to $130 million, up from zero, by extending days payable by 60 with the vendor community.
- Developed WM Private Brand and executed mixed-name brands to reduce inventory to $205 million in three years, down from $235 million.
- Delivered the best sales per sq. ft. In the company's history, by eliminating stores with a negative 4-wall contribution.
- Enabled the highly profitable sale of the business to a private equity firm at twice the value in 2017 by playing an instrumental role in partnering with the Board of Directors on the philosophy of the business and driving shareholder wealth.
Chief Merchandise Officer
Radio Shack
Fort Worth, TX
01.2013 - 03.2015
GMM Home
JCPenney
Dallas, TX
01.2011 - 01.2013
DMM Outdoors
Dicks Sporting Goods
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2006 - 01.2011
DMM Home Textiles/Luggage
Foleys Department Store
01.1993 - 01.2005
Maryland Bays
American Professional Soccer League
01.1988 - 01.1991
Education
Master of Business Administration - Marketing & Negotiations
St. Louis University
St. Louis, MOBachelor of Science - Administrative Management
Clemson University
Clemson, SCSkills
- Executive leadership
- Board Advisor
- P&L Management
- Operational planning and strategy
- Cost analysis and trend forecasting
- Merchandising and inventory management
- Business development and training
- Human resources oversight
- Negotiation expertise
Affiliations
- Board member at Packfire. First portable solution for firepits and accessories.
- Advisory board member at Tiger Sports Shop 01/01/18, Present
- CESA Soccer in Greenville, South Carolina, Advisory Board Member, 01/01/18, Present
- Rutenis Amshwand Golf United (RAGU), Former Chair supporting MD Anderson Cancer Center in TX, 01/01/98, 12/31/07
- UNT Adjunct Faculty, School of Business - Department of Merchandising and Digital Retailing, 01/01/19, 12/31/21
- Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame, 2016
- Dog Lover
Timeline
Principal Consultant
Rutenis Enterprises
01.2022 - Current
Chief Merchant
Grow Generation
07.2020 - 06.2021
Executive Vice President
West Marine
06.2015 - 02.2018
Chief Merchandise Officer
Radio Shack
01.2013 - 03.2015
GMM Home
JCPenney
01.2011 - 01.2013
DMM Outdoors
Dicks Sporting Goods
01.2006 - 01.2011
DMM Home Textiles/Luggage
Foleys Department Store
01.1993 - 01.2005
Maryland Bays
American Professional Soccer League
01.1988 - 01.1991
Master of Business Administration - Marketing & Negotiations
St. Louis University
Bachelor of Science - Administrative Management
Clemson University
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