Jeff Baker
Olathe,KS
Summary
General manager and owner with collision repair operations and staff leadership experience. Skilled in scheduling insurance claims, managing vendor relations, and resolving customer and operational conflicts. Track record of improving efficiency, service quality, and profitability.
Overview
1
1
Certification
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner
CARSTAR Ottawa
Ottawa, KS
02.2013 - 07.2026
- Directed daily collision repair operations at CARSTAR Ottawa service center.
- Managed daily operations of the business, including hiring and training staff.
- Oversaw budgeting and financial management.
- Directed financial activities to fund operations and maximize investments.
- Implemented repair shop procedures, safety standards, and operational policies.
- Maintained relationships with insurers, suppliers, and towing partners.
- Supervised the performance of workers with goals of improving productivity, efficiency and cost savings.
- Coordinated customer updates throughout the vehicle repair and delivery process.
- Resolved customer concerns with clear communication and professional service.
- Oversaw quality control for bodywork, refinishing, and final inspections.
- Reviewed repair estimates, body shop invoices, and insurance claim details.
- Identified new opportunities for growth, expansion, and diversification.
- Developed policies and procedures for the organization.
- Employed and managed vendors by negotiating deliverables, cost and expected quality.
- Enhanced operational performance by developing effective business strategies, systems and procedures.
- Implemented quality assurance processes to ensure product excellence.
- Developed strategic plans to increase profitability and efficiency.
- Created marketing campaigns to attract new customers.
- Promoted the business on social media platforms to maximize brand identity and generate revenue.
- Collaborated with other owners on joint ventures and shared resources.
- Monitored progress by establishing plans, budgets and measuring results.
- Improved productivity initiatives, managing budgets and accounts, coordinating itineraries and scheduling appointments.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
- Led startup and creation of operational procedures and workflow planning.
- Negotiated with vendors to gain optimal pricing on products resulting in a substantial increase in profit margin.
- Oversaw project execution, phase progress, workmanship, and team performance to drive on-time completion of deliverables.
- Reviewed legal documents related to business operations.
- Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Directed or coordinated financial or budget activities to fund operations and maximize investments.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
General Manager
CARSTAR Ottawa
Ottawa, KS
11.2001 - 02.2013
- Handled daily business operations, including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service, and sales.
- Helped manage front office production and customer service teams.
- Reviewed insurance claims and guided supplement approvals to keep repairs moving and improve customer satisfaction.
- Tracked shop schedules and balanced technician assignments.
- Kept customers updated on repair status and delivery timelines.
- Worked with vendors, adjusters, and parts suppliers to maintain repair progress.
- Resolved customer concerns quickly while maintaining service quality.
- Trained employees on job duties, policies, and procedures.
- Maintained clear communication with staff to support efficient operations.
- Helped create a positive work environment through team-building activities across departments.
- Built long-term customer relationships through consistent account support.
- Managed inventory levels and supported corrective action planning to reduce long-term costs.
- Delivered strong client experiences through leadership of associates and managers.
- Maintained vendor relationships to secure competitive pricing on supplies and materials.
- Monitored financial performance and identified cost-saving and revenue-growth opportunities.
- Coordinated employee training to support policy and procedure compliance.
- Guided subordinate managers to maintain a cooperative working environment across the organization.
- Oversaw safety operations to support industry compliance and maintained a clean work environment for FDA and OSHA requirements.
- Developed service and sales strategies to improve retention and revenue.
- Identified process gaps and worked with other departments to build action plans for implementation.
- Reviewed current processes for effectiveness and developed new systems to improve productivity.
- Improved time use and employee productivity by consolidating data, payroll, and accounting programs into centralized systems.
- Implemented employee recognition programs to support staff motivation and organizational goals.
- Directed product development initiatives from concept through completion.
- Reviewed financial statements and sales or activity reports to track productivity and goal progress.
- Reviewed financial statements and sales or activity reports to track productivity and goal progress.
General Manager
CARSTAR
Leawood, Kansas
02.1999 - 11.2001
- Coordinated repair flow from estimate review to vehicle delivery, ensuring timely service.
- Managed all aspects of daily business operations including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service and sales.
- Supported front office production and customer service teams in daily operations, enhancing workflow.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly while maintaining high quality standards of service delivery.
- Reviewed insurance claims and facilitated supplement approval processes to expedite customer service.
- Monitored shop schedules and balanced technician workload
- Collaborated with vendors and adjusters to streamline parts procurement.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff members to ensure efficient operations.
- Created a positive work environment by developing team building activities that encouraged collaboration among departments.
- Tracked monthly sales to generate reports for business development planning.
- Built and maintained loyal, long-term customer relationships through effective account management.
- Maintained relationships with vendors to obtain the best pricing on supplies and materials.
- Monitored financial performance and identified areas for improvement in cost savings and revenue generation.
Education
High School Diploma -
Garnett High School
Garnett, KS05-1980
Skills
- Collision estimating
- Repair planning
- Quality control
- Insurance claims
- Shop scheduling
- Operations management
- Vendor negotiation
- Budget management
- Inventory control
Certification
- ICAR Platinum Certified Estimator
Timeline
Owner
CARSTAR Ottawa
02.2013 - 07.2026
General Manager
CARSTAR Ottawa
11.2001 - 02.2013
General Manager
CARSTAR
02.1999 - 11.2001
High School Diploma -
Garnett High School