History of Blockbuster

Blockbuster stores started in Dallas, Texas on October 26, 1985 by a man named David Cook. He/She grew the business until it had proven it could be a success. Then a friend John Melk approached Wayne Huizenga a top executive of Waste Management to buy the company. The two Huizenga and Melk used the same techniques that they had used to grow Waste Management which proved to be a success.

At one time they were opening one store every seventeen hours.  Their where Blockbuster franchises out that they also bought which made the company a multi-billion dollar company. In 1992, Blockbuster acquired the Sound Warehouse and Music Plus music retail chains. Blockbuster, Inc. is an American-based chain of VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and video game rental stores.  Today there are over 9,000 stores in 25 countries worldwide. They are Renaissance Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas.

The company is an American based chain of VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and video game rental stores presently owned by Dish Network. At its peak in 2009, Blockbuster had up to 60,000 workers. As of January 3, 2010, there were more than 5,000 Blockbuster stores in the United States and 17 countries globally. The company is headquartered in the Renaissance Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas.

Job Description/Average Wage

Customer Service Representative: A customer service representative helps the customers find the video’s that they want to rent. They may explain some of the video games or how to use the equipment. Often they work the cash register making sure that all video’s, games, and other rental items are charged out properly and the customer is charged for the merchandise. The average wage is $7.74 an hour.

Shift Leader Hourly: The shift leader is responsible for all the functions on their shift. They make sure that the customers are properly treated, employee’s show up for the shift, and the movies are put back on the shelf for future rentals. The shift leader must make sure that the cash register is in balance and that all charge outs are accurately posted. The average wage for a shift leader is $9.17 an hour.

Blockbuster Store Manager: The store manager is responsible for everything that happens in their store. They must take care of ordering movies, games, and equipment. They make sure that customers are notified of late movies and request their returns. Often they make sure that the customers are kept up-to-date on new tapes that will become available. It is their job to schedule the employee’s, place orders, and find new customers. The average wage is $38,833 a year.

District Manager: A store manager will reinforce an atmosphere that permits employees to do what is essential to resolve customer issues rapidly and correctly.  The position has the overall accountability for achieving sales objectives, creating a business plan also setting store goals that are aligned with the tactical sales plan. This will schedule, organize and direct assignments, this has the overall responsibility to make sure that proper cash controls and loss prevention procedures are in place as well as followed per company standards.  Expected income for annual position is $52,000-$71,000.

Finance Manager: General responsibilities include providing an interpretation of monetary information, supervising cash flows and using the same to forecast future financial trends. The position will formulate strategies to be used in the long-term monetary plans for a business entity. This also develops management mechanism in the finances department for purposes of minimizing the monetary risks. A finance manager will supervise the accounting and observe systems for the company’s finances.  Expected salary for this position is $72,000 to $101,000 a year.

Assistant Store Manager: The assistant store manager’s main intention is to make sure store personnel are working effective, giving excellent customer service and running the store based on company policies. Usual duty includes answering customer queries, listening to their complaints and helping store managers with a variety of tasks such as incurring supplies, selecting products or handling returns and other client grievances.  The average pay starts at $8-$15.

Sales Associate: The work of a sales associate entails the providing of information about the company’s products and services to its clients. This helps the company in developing and sustaining long-term relationships with its customers. This meets or surpasses sales targets while maintaining the focus on customer service.  The hourly wage is around $8-$9.

Benefits

  • Employees receive free movie and game rentals.
  • Employees receive in-store discounts on other merchandise.
  • Flexible schedule to help accommodate personal life activities
  • 401 (k) program
  • Tuition assistance
  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Plan
  • Long-Term Disability/ Short-term disability

***Benefits are offered to new employees after they meet eligibility requirements.

How to apply

If you are interested in one of these job positions or one of the many others that are offered by Blockbuster you should visit their website at:

http://www.blockbuster.com/careers

Please feel free to go to your local store and ask for an application and jobs that are available.