Jason Bliss
Rosemount
Summary
Professional with extensive experience in business administration, specializing in strategy development and implementation to enhance revenue and market presence. Demonstrates strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills, ensuring effective management and team development. Proven track record of thriving in fast-paced environments while fostering productive relationships. Committed to exceeding expectations through a strong work ethic and initiative.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Bakery Senior Assistant Plant Manager
Hy-Vee
Eagan
09.2024 - 05.2025
- In coordination with the Plant Manager responsible for a team of 60-125 associates (including temporary workers) managing Bakery Production for 26 Stores across two States averaging approximately $9MM in annual sales.
- Responsible for all aspects of HR including hiring, on-boarding, training and development, Temporary Workers, Scheduling, and accountability.
- Responsible for overall Plant Operations including modification and creation of production schedules, production assortment planning, and the flow of production.
- Responsible for managing inventory levels of products necessary to support production across the facility from chemicals, to ingredients, to physical supplies.
- Responsible for manufacturing equipment use and maintenance for all product lines. Product lines included: Donuts, Bread, Bun, Muffins, Pastry, and more.
- Created and implemented an operational reorganization of the facility that resulted in a reduction in overhead labor costs of approximately $78k per annum.
- Reason for Leaving: Laid off due to corporate restructure and closure of all Regional Bakery Facilities across the company.
Regional Category Sales Manager
Lipari Foods
Warren
02.2024 - 09.2024
- Represented Deli, Food Service, C-Stores, Gas Stations, Prepared Foods, and Catering Categories across four regions, generating annual sales exceeding $30MM.
- Negotiated agreements with suppliers to manage inventory, quality and cost.
- Administered product schematics based on area demands.
- Achieved profit growth opportunities by analyzing data and identifying selection gaps.
- Developed programs and concepts while securing client support for product acquisition, training, and recipe development.
- Trained and mentored Regional Sales Managers and Sales Representatives in sales techniques and financial management.
- Delivered product cuttings, demonstrations, and sales pitches to clients for new and additional products.
- Set pricing strategies and closed business deals to achieve incremental sales increases using data management.
- Facilitated training on operational processes and Human Resources for effective team development.
- Reason for Leaving: Laid off during a Corporate Restructure where all Regional Category Manager positions were eliminated across the country.
Regional Culinary Director
Lifespark
Farmington
07.2022 - 01.2024
- Managed Culinary Directors and teams across 12 Lifespark Senior Living facilities, ensuring operational excellence.
- Trained Culinary Directors in product ordering, financial management, safety, payroll, and scheduling systems.
- Supported new account openings and contributed to food production and facility management as needed.
- Planned and implemented culinary production for special events and catered functions.
- Evaluated performance of facilities in food production, menu standards, health regulations, and HR compliance.
- Collaborated with Operations Manager to address needs and concerns of each facility.
- Reason for Leaving: The position was eliminated during layoffs resulting from a loss of business.
Store Director
Fresh Thyme Market
Minneapolis-Saint Paul
02.2020 - 07.2022
- Oversaw operations for 80+ employees, including diverse leadership team management in a facility averaging sales between $13MM and $15MM per annum.
- Executed all aspects of store management, covering customer service and product ordering.
- Managed vendor relationships, focusing on national partnerships and local acquisitions.
- Planned and executed store merchandising strategies, including display creation and preparation.
- Maintained total financial accountability for profit and loss.
- Scheduled, hired, terminated, and disciplined employees to ensure optimal performance.
- Controlled shrinkage and waste through effective inventory management practices.
- Conducted corporate audits to uphold sanitation standards throughout the store.
Assistant Store Director
Cub Foods
Minneapolis-Saint Paul
01.2018 - 02.2020
- Managed 100+ employees, including diverse leadership team in a facility averaging $40MM in sales per annum.
- Oversaw center store and perishable operations, customer services, and product ordering.
- Conducted financial analysis and controlled departmental budgets.
- Maintained inventory management and minimized shrink and waste.
- Executed store merchandising planning and prepared displays effectively.
- Ensured compliance with corporate audits and maintained sanitation standards.
- Coached two Bakery department teams to meet company standards in quality and profitability.
Marketing and Merchandising Director - Hyper Local
Hy-Vee, Inc.
Peoria
02.2017 - 12.2017
- Managed over 400 employees, including eight assistant managers, across two facilities.
- Oversaw all center store operations and customer service functions.
- Directed product ordering, store maintenance, vendor management, and local advertising initiatives.
- Executed store merchandising planning and pricing research to enhance display effectiveness.
- Conducted comprehensive financial analysis and inventory control to manage shrink and waste.
- Performed corporate audits to ensure compliance with sanitation standards.
- Achieved a 10% reduction in store labor while maintaining high service quality through cross-training.
- Facilitated generation of $13K in incremental sales by providing analytical tools and data.
Night Store Director
Meijer Inc.
Belleville
03.2014 - 11.2016
- Managed 240+ employees, including two assistant managers, overseeing scheduling, onboarding, and terminations in a facility averaging $50MM-$75MM in sales per annum.
- Responsible for perishables, cash control/customer service, soft lines, hard lines, and weekly ad transition across the facility.
- Handled customer service, store maintenance, vendor management, and display creation to ensure operational efficiency.
- Coordinated corporate audits and analyzed financial data for strategic decision-making.
- Reorganized back room, reducing daily hole counts from 200+ to under 20.
Super Flagship Fresh Foods Manager Trainer
Harris Teeter Inc.
Washington
08.2007 - 03.2014
- Managed 60+ employees including 2 assistant managers, coordinated all inventory management phases, as well as product ordering, personal selling, department maintenance.
- Trained and developed staff.
- Implemented and executed corporate policies.
- Ensured talent pipeline of Fresh Foods Department Managers by training future store, assistant store, and department managers.
- Key Accomplishments: Successfully trained 11 department managers.
- Passed all food safety audits in all managed locations that previously failed them.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Secondary Education
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI04.2005
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Financial management
- Customer service and relations
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Team leadership
- Inventory management
- Public relations
- Sales and marketing
- Culinary expertise
- Conflict resolution
- Training and development
- Guest services
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Human resources management
- Operational efficiency
Certification
- ServSafe Allergens Awareness Manager Training Course Certificate, 07/01/23 to 07/01/26, AMA4-3XET-N6XB
- MN Certified Food Protection Manager, 02/01/21 to 02/01/24, FM92897
- FSPCA Preventive Controls For Human Food Version 2.0 (PCQI Certification) Certificate # 3410882d 3/14/2025
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Regional Bakery Senior Assistant Plant Manager
Hy-Vee
09.2024 - 05.2025
Regional Category Sales Manager
Lipari Foods
02.2024 - 09.2024
Regional Culinary Director
Lifespark
07.2022 - 01.2024
Store Director
Fresh Thyme Market
02.2020 - 07.2022
Assistant Store Director
Cub Foods
01.2018 - 02.2020
Marketing and Merchandising Director - Hyper Local
Hy-Vee, Inc.
02.2017 - 12.2017
Night Store Director
Meijer Inc.
03.2014 - 11.2016
Super Flagship Fresh Foods Manager Trainer
Harris Teeter Inc.
08.2007 - 03.2014
Bachelor of Science - Secondary Education
Grand Valley State University