Assistant Manager

Panera; The Villages (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Job summary

Panera Bread is looking for a hands-on Manager to lead operations on the café floor and work alongside the team in production, prep, dining, baking, and guest service. The role emphasizes structured leadership, coaching, and accountability in a healthy, organized environment.

You will ensure food quality and safety, develop future leaders, and maintain a positive culture with strong team collaboration and work‑life balance.

Qualifications

• Previous management or supervisory experience in a restaurant or production setting.
• Strong, structured leadership style.
• Hands-on mentality and ability to work alongside the team.
• Passion for coaching and mentoring.
• Open availability within operating hours (5 AM–11 PM).
• Reliable transportation (valid driver’s license & vehicle).
• Strong communication skills.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the team across production, prep, dining, baking, and guest service.
• Oversee daily café operations and ensure smooth service.
• Maintain food quality and safety standards.
• Keep the team operating at peak performance.
• Provide onboarding and ongoing training for new hires.
• Deliver clear expectations and consistent feedback.
• Build future leaders through accountability and support.
• Foster a healthy work environment with positivity and teamwork.

Skills

Leadership

Hands-on leadership

Coaching

Mentoring

Communication

Availability

Reliability

Job description

Lead with Purpose. Grow with Structure. Thrive in a Healthy Culture.

Ready to take your leadership career to the next level in a fast-paced, high-energy environment built on purpose and structure?

At Panera Bread, our mission is simple:“To elevate everyday meals into moments of comfort, connection, and joy”

We believe food should be good and good for you. We believe work should be structured, supportive, and growth focused.

And we believe leaders should be hands‑on, present, and committed to building strong teams.

As a Manager in our franchise organization with a strong corporate backbone, every process we follow is intentional. Every system is proven. Every leader is developed with purpose.

If you’re a structured, hands‑on leader who thrives in a healthy, organized environment — we want to meet you.

What You’ll Do:

Lead From the Front

Our managers are fully hands‑on. You’ll work side‑by‑side with your team in production, prep, dining, baking, and guest service. We don’t lead from the office — we lead from the floor.

Drive Operational Excellence

• Oversee daily café operations
• Maintain food quality and safety standards
• Keep the team operating at peak performance

Develop People with Purpose

• Provide structured onboarding and training
• Coach and mentor team members
• Deliver clear expectations and consistent feedback
• Build future leaders through accountability and support

Foster a Healthy Work Environment

• Promote positivity, respect, and teamwork
• Maintain a clean, organized café
• Create a culture where people feel supported and valued
• Encourage work‑life balance within a structured schedule

Compensation & Schedule:

• Hourly Paid
• Full Time 40-45 hours a week pending on position
• Operating hours:5 AM – 11 PM
• No overnight shifts

Our leadership roles are designed with balance in mind — structure creates stability.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

Clear Growth Path

We believe in performance-based growth. Raises and promotions are performance-based.

Upper-Level Support

You’ll never wonder what to do next. Expectations, processes, and tools are clearly defined.

Healthy Brand, Healthy Culture

You’ll represent a company known for clean ingredients, fresh food, and an environment focused on well‑being — for both guests and team members.

Hands‑On Training

We don’t “throw you in.” We train you thoroughly, support you consistently, and develop you intentionally.

What We’re Looking For:

• Previous management or supervisory experience (restaurant or production-based preferred)
• Strong, structured leadership style
• Hands‑on mentality — you enjoy working alongside your team
• Passion for coaching and mentoring
• Open availability within operating hours (5 AM – 11 PM)
• Reliable transportation (valid driver’s license & vehicle)
• Strong communication skills
• Positive mindset
• Must be at least 18 years of age

Our Values at Panera

We live our values every day:

• Own It– Take responsibility and lead with accountability.
• Win Together– Build strong teams and support one another.
• Be Kind– Treat everyone with respect and compassion.
• Rise Above– Stay positive, resilient, and growth-focused.

If you’re looking for a supportive and growth‑driven environment where leadership is hands‑on and culture truly matters, this is your opportunity.

Lead with purpose. Grow with structure. Build something meaningful at Panera.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We use eVerify to confirm U.S. Employment eligibility.

Compensation: Competitive salary