Jake Gessmann
Urbandale,IA
Summary
Solution-oriented District Manager bringing 8 years of experience in overseeing the operational and administrative job functions, and that includes supervising 7 Sports Bars. Possessing exceptional skills in training and learning, provides specific communication providing proper detail to create momentum and synergy.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
District Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
05.2023 - Current
- Lead 7 Sports Bars in Iowa driving results in People, Performance, and Profits.
- People Development – Execute Career Planning, Professional Development, Improving Team Member Experience
- Performance - Monitor and provide feedback on Operational Execution, Provide communication updates on priorities and programming from the Company, Provide Metrics along with whys and hows of achieving success in driving performance with execution and metrics
- Profit - Monitoring, Reviewing and Educating Teams on the Financial Performance of the individual Sports Bar and the impact on the sports bar, the district, the region, and the company.
- Beverage Advisory Council Representative - Advise the Beverage Team as well as Regional Team on Beer Menu Choices. Build mutual beneficial relationships with local, regional, and national breweries and beverage companies.
- Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation Region Representative - Assisting with the local fundraising effort to support the Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation and the Boys and Girls Clubs through out Iowa and Illinois. Work closely with the club in Central Iowas to help support the Golf Tournament and youth programming
- Iowa Kickball Chairperson - Organize Statewide Kickball Tournament for BWW Sports Bars and team members. 15 to 20 Sports Bars and Teams participate in a tournament as well as providing lunch, snacks, and entertainment through out the day.
District Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
05.2018 - 05.2023
- Lead 7 Sports Bars in Minnesota driving results in People, Performance, and Profits.
- People Development – Execute Career Planning, Professional Development, Goal Planning
- Performance - Monitor and provide feedback on Operational Execution, Provide communication updates on priorities and programming from the Company, Provide Metrics along with whys and hows of achieving success in driving performance with execution and metrics
- Profit - Monitoring, Reviewing and Educating Teams on the Financial Performance of the individual Sports Bar and the impact on the sports bar, the district, the region, and the company.
- Beverage Advisory Council Representative - Advise the Beverage Team as well as Regional Team on Beer Menu Choices. Build mutual beneficial relationships with local, regional, and national breweries and beverage companies.
- Champions of Women’s Leadership (MN / WI Chapter) - Sponsor and provide guidance in the formation and meeting of a group focused on the personal and professional development of Women. Encourage the sharpening of leadership and interpersonal skills to provide opportunities to women to be in roles of leadership
- Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation Region Representative - Assisting with the local fundraising effort to support the Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation and the Boys and Girls Clubs through out MN and WI. Work closely with the clubs to support Twins Tailgate Fundraiser with Fulton Brewery, BBG club basketball workshop, and career fair support for the camp kids.
- BWW of MN Softball Tournament Chairperson - Organize Statewide Slow Pitch Softball Tournament for BWW Sports Bars and teammembers. 20 to 30 Sports Bars and Teams participate in a tournament as well as providing lunch, snacks, and entertainment through out the day.
Training General Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
06.2013 - 05.2018
- Lead the Operational Execution of a Sports Bar through leveraging the people, driving performance, and positively impacting profits.
- Drive Daily Execution through the entire Guest Experience from entering the parking lot to the time the guest walks out the front door.
- Attract, Train, and Development team members to help support the operation excellence.
- Monitor Profit and Loss Statement from the execution of day to day operations, weekly inventory reconciliation, and monthly spending budgets.
- Facilitated Manager Basics and Role Specific Manager Training for External and Internal Manager Candidates.
- 2015 Rookie GM of the Year Nominees
- 2017 Training GM of the Year Nominee
- 2018 Training GM of the Year Winner
Department Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
09.2011 - 06.2013
- Manage the day to day operations of sports bar through providing a great guest experience and an enriching environment for team members.
- Attracting, Hiring, Training, and Development of Team Members
- Scheduling, Performance Appraisals, Performance Counciling, Specific Workshop Training to improve Service Standards.
- Drive Guest Metrics through recognition program, Formulate action plan on all guest feedback, Provide coaching, feedback and development opportunities for the team members.
- Inventory Management, Invoice Reconciliation, Declining Budget Oversight
- Assistant General Manager - May 2012 to June 2013
- Service Manager - October 2011 to May 2012
- Assistant Manager - Sept 2011 to October 2011
General Manager (Multi-Unit)
Okoboji Grill
06.1998 - 09.2011
- Lead the operational execution for Bar and Grill by leveraging the strength of the team and ability to create tools process and procedures to ensure consistent experience.
- Lead Team Memeber and Manager Experience - Hiring, Orientation, Training, and Development.
- Created and Maintained Training Materials for Front of House Team Members including Learning Map, Daily Agendas, and Validation Tests
- Developed New Food Menu - Created a more flavorful, consistent, efficient menu driving the efficiency and quality. Creation of Specification and Recipes for entire menu.
- Developed Cocktail Menu - Created menu focusing on being innovative and trendy while providing value to our guests.
- ALL P&L Responsibilities
- ALL Operational Responsibilities
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Finance
Iowa State University
Ames, IA05-2001
Skills
- Profitability optimization
- Team development
- Strategic planning
- Staff management
- Operational improvement
- Training and coaching
- Staff recruiting
- Operations oversight
- Customer service
Certification
- ServSafe Alcohol
- ServSafe Food Manager
- Multi Unit Manager Essentials
Timeline
District Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
05.2023 - Current
District Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
05.2018 - 05.2023
Training General Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
06.2013 - 05.2018
Department Manager
Buffalo Wild Wings
09.2011 - 06.2013
General Manager (Multi-Unit)
Okoboji Grill
06.1998 - 09.2011
Bachelor of Science - Business Finance
Iowa State University