Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Matthew Smith

Thornton

Summary

Strategic retail operations executive with over 10 years of experience leading multi-unit, multi-brand cannabis portfolios across startup and enterprise environments. Proven ability to deliver P&L ownership and EBITDA growth through operational excellence, talent development, and transformation initiatives. Recognized for building high-performing teams, scalable systems, and leading retail expansions that elevate customer experience and brand standards. Adept at partnering with C-suite leaders and cross-functional teams to align strategy, execute initiatives, accelerate growth, and drive performance in a rapidly evolving industry.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Director, Retail Operations

Schwazze
11.2023 - 05.2025
  • Delivered $105M in sales & $40M EBITDA in FY'24 through operational restructuring, talent elevation, expense controls, and inventory management overhauls.
  • Managed day-to-day operations for a multi-banner retail portfolio of 28 stores (Star Buds, Emerald Fields, Standing Akimbo), leading 250 employees and 3 Regional Managers to consistent performance results.
  • Reduced shrink by $250K per quarter and freed up $3M in annual inventory carry through enterprise-wide inventory reconciliation and SKU rationalization initiatives.
  • Drove retail growth by opening 4 new stores and executing a $150K remodel program across 15 locations, enhancing brand presence, operational efficiency, and customer experience while delivering all projects on time and on budget.
  • Owned recruitment, onboarding, and leadership development for retail, building a scalable talent pipeline that strengthened bench depth, supported rapid growth, and reduced annual turnover by 40% through targeted talent elevation and engagement initiatives.
  • Led collaboration with C-suite and cross-functional stakeholders to align strategy, implement transformation initiatives, and optimize retail operations for growth and profitability.

Retail District Manager

The Cannabist Company, Colorado (TGS, MM)
09.2020 - 11.2023
  • Delivered $40–$50M in annual sales across 12 multi-banner retail locations (The Green Solution, Medicine Man), driving district operations, performance, and staff development.
  • Led two post-M&A retail integrations at Columbia Care, ensuring full continuity of operations, talent retention, and customer experience.
  • Directed retail migration from in-house POS to Dutchie, managing cross-functional teams, training, and rollout to optimize retail workflows, enhance data insights, and enable growth initiatives.
  • Reduced turnover by 75% over two years by owning recruitment, onboarding, and leadership development, building a scalable succession pipeline for retail operations.
  • Partnered with retail leadership team to overhaul Colorado business strategy, driving improvements in assortment, pricing, promotions, and owned brand penetration.

Retail General Manager

The Green Solution
11.2013 - 09.2020
  • Served as a foundational retail leader, shaping the operational playbook and scaling dispensary operations from early small-business roots to acquisition by a national operator.
  • Led operations for 4 high-volume medical and adult-use dispensaries, managing P&L, compliance, customer experience, and teams of up to 40 employees.
  • Built and developed high-performing teams, reducing turnover and cultivating future retail leaders through recruitment, training, and career progression.
  • Fostered a culture of engagement and accountability, driving consistent performance and service excellence across multiple store locations.
  • Partnered with state and local regulators to ensure compliance and strengthen community relationships, positioning stores as trusted operators in evolving cannabis markets.
  • Contributed to cross-functional initiatives (logistics, POS systems, compliance, and safety), setting operational standards that streamlined retail processes and improved customer outcomes.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Fine Arts

Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO

Skills

  • P&L Ownership & Budget Management
  • Multi-Unit Leadership & Workforce Development
  • Change Management & Transformation Initiatives
  • Talent Acquisition, Succession Planning & Leadership Coaching
  • KPI Development, Analytics & Performance Tracking
  • High-Performance Culture Building
  • Retail Cannabis Technology Platforms (POS, CRM, Compliance, BI)
  • Customer Journey Optimization & Brand Standards Execution
  • Omnichannel Retail Experience & Loyalty Integration
  • Executive Communication & Stakeholder Alignment
  • Multi-Brand Retail Portfolio Oversight

Timeline

Director, Retail Operations

Schwazze
11.2023 - 05.2025

Retail District Manager

The Cannabist Company, Colorado (TGS, MM)
09.2020 - 11.2023

Retail General Manager

The Green Solution
11.2013 - 09.2020

Bachelor of Arts - Fine Arts

Metropolitan State University of Denver

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Matthew Smith