Portage, Michigan / Open to regional travel
Chris Brennan
Retail Operations Leader
Founding leader of a $3M+ Pet Supplies Plus location, with 26+ years in animal-focused retail and a record of building durable teams, strong operating standards, and customer experiences that earn loyalty.
Targeting District, Area, and Multi-Unit Retail Leadership
01
Executive summary
Retail operations leader with more than 26 years in animal-focused retail. Launched the Battle Creek Pet Supplies Plus franchise location and developed it into a $3M+ annual operation through clear standards, hands-on team development, disciplined execution, and lasting community partnerships. Pursuing a district, area, or multi-unit leadership opportunity in Southwest Michigan with regular regional travel.
02
Professional experience
Pet Supplies Plus
Store Team Leader
Founding Leader — Battle Creek Franchise Location
- Led the location from pre-opening preparation through launch and ongoing operations, coordinating with franchise ownership, contractors, vendors, and the Pet Supplies Plus corporate setup team.
- Helped assemble fixtures, establish merchandising layouts, place initial product orders, prepare opening inventory, and build store-level policies and routines within the franchise framework.
- Lead all aspects of a $3M+ annual retail operation, including team leadership, customer experience, merchandising, inventory, animal-care standards, loss prevention, facilities, and daily execution.
- Built the store team from the ground up and have led the hiring, onboarding, and development of every employee at the location since opening.
- Built strong management continuity: an assistant manager has served at the location since opening, and two employees advanced from cashier into leadership roles with 13+ and 6+ years of service.
- Maintained a 90%+ average on Neighbor Ready Reviews since opening and led the first Pet Supplies Plus franchise location to achieve a perfect 100% score in 2019.
- Led the store to the highest average franchise SMG customer-loyalty score in 2016 among more than 200 franchise locations.
Tractor Supply Company
Assistant Manager
- Supported daily operations, customer service, merchandising, inventory control, and team execution in a high-volume rural-lifestyle retail environment.
- Trained and coached team members, maintained store standards, and coordinated priorities across the sales floor and back room.
- Built a strong operational foundation in physical inventory, product knowledge, problem solving, and customer-focused leadership.
Quality Stores
Sales Team Member
Built an early retail foundation through customer service, merchandising, product knowledge, and reliable execution in a fast-paced store environment.
03
Workforce development & community impact
Work-based learning
Sustained a 10+ year partnership with the Battle Creek Public Schools Work-Based Learning Program, helping high school students with developmental disabilities build workplace and social skills and hiring four participants into store roles.
Goodwill Connects
Participated repeatedly in mock interviews, job-readiness training, and summer internships for high school students, resulting in one participant joining the store team.
Inclusive volunteering
Led a four-year partnership with The Arc of Calhoun County, coaching volunteers with developmental disabilities in workplace and social skills while they supported store upkeep.
Animal-welfare partnerships
Worked with local rescue partners to support more than 100 kitten adoptions in 2025.
04
Recognition
2016
Franchise SMG Leader
Highest average customer-loyalty score on the franchise side of Pet Supplies Plus among more than 200 locations.
2017-2018
Volunteer Employer of the Year
Led the Pet Supplies Plus partnership recognized by The Arc of Calhoun County for creating inclusive job-skill opportunities.
2019
RISE Award
Recognized by The Arc of Calhoun County for supporting people with disabilities and treating every person with value and respect.
Next opportunity
Ready to help strong store leaders produce consistent results.
Based in Portage, Michigan and open to district, area, multi-unit, retail operations, and training leadership roles with regional travel.