Ben Gillette

About Ben Gillette

Highly accomplished Operations Leader with over 20 years of experience driving multi-unit retail success and building vibrant communities in the spirits industry. My career is defined by a unique blend of high-level corporate strategy—managing multi-million dollar districts and large-scale teams—and creative entrepreneurship within the bourbon and American whiskey space.As the Co-Owner and Managing Partner of BIG Bourbon Club, I have spent years mastering the nuances of brand awareness, industry culture, and consumer engagement. Whether it’s streamlining operational workflows or hosting live interviews with world-class distillers, I am passionate about connecting people with products and building lasting brand loyalty while fostering and creating a community of enthusiasts.Core Competencies:Multi-Unit Operations & Strategic PlanningP & L Management & P&L OptimizationPartnership Development & NetworkingContent Creation & Digital Community BuildingSpirits Industry Knowledge (Tasting, Production, & Culture)

Experience

1. District Manager

   Tractor Supply Company

   Dec 2015 — Present · Louisville, KY, US

   Strategic Oversight: Directed operations for a multi-unit district, consistently meeting or exceeding KPIs across P&L management, sales growth, and shrinkage control.Operational Excellence: Standardized workflows across multiple locations to improve logistical efficiency and customer service scores, ensuring brand consistency and operational compliance.Talent Leadership: Recruited, trained, and mentored a diverse team of Store Managers and high-potential employees, building a robust leadership pipeline that supported regional expansion.Inventory & Logistics: Managed complex supply chain and inventory cycles, optimizing stock levels for high-demand seasonal goods and specialty equipment.Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborated with regional and corporate leadership to implement new retail technologies and merchandising strategies designed to enhance the \"Life Out Here\" customer experience.

Skills

• Event Planning
• Problem Solving
• Visual Merchandising
• Access
• Selling
• Budgeting
• Marketing
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Excel
• Merchandising
• Retail
• Customer Relations
• Budgets
• Word
• Process Scheduler
• Hiring
• Strategy
• Customer Satisfaction
• Supervisory Skills
• Sales Management
• Scheduling
• Inventory Management
• Coaching
• Customer Service
• Fundraising
• Profit
• Public Speaking
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Analysis
• Management
• Team Building