Director, Retail Operations - Dakotas

Panera LLC; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 111,808 - 127,460; Full time

Job summary

Panera LLC is seeking a Director of Retail Operations based in St. Louis, Missouri. This role involves delivering world-class operational execution in bakery-cafes, creating effective strategies, and leading management teams.

The ideal candidate should have a firm understanding of business outcomes, excellent communication skills, and strong planning capabilities. You will be responsible for up to 95% travel within the market and ensuring cafés meet Panera's operational standards.

Qualifications

• Multi-unit experience or related experience preferred, but not required.
• Understanding of P&L and financial reports.
• Strong planning and prioritizing skills.

Responsibilities

• Create strategy and vision for market to achieve Panera standards.
• Unlock and build capabilities of cafe management teams.
• Ensure compliance with operational standards and laws.
• Collaborate cross-functionally for business results.
• Champion new products and programs across market.

Skills

Business outcomes understanding

Excellent communication skills

Self-motivated planning

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Coaching and development skills

Ability to work under travel

Education

Some college education or certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Director, Retail Operations – Dakotas

Director, Retail Operations is responsible for delivering world‑class execution of Panera operational expectations in the bakery‑cafes by translating brand objectives to cafes and associates. This involves acting like an owner, leading and developing leaders, and creating trust and loyalty with our team members and guests while growing sales and delivering profit growth.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Business Understanding, Strategic Planning and Execution: create the strategy and vision for the market to achieve all Panera standards for guest service, kitchen-wide operating systems, profitability, new unit growth, food quality and safety, and people development; coach and hold cafe management teams accountable for execution.

• People Development: unlock and build the capabilities and performance of cafe management teams through recruitment, selection, DE&I, compensation, training, performance management and coaching, and succession planning; create the market’s People strategy and maintain a talent pipeline.

• Brand Protection & Validation: ensure cafes comply with all operational standards, policies, and federal/state employment laws, and foster an inclusive, engaging work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

• Collaborate cross‑functionally with market and region‑level support (Operations, HR, Business Development, etc.) to provide discipline around channel execution and support cafes to drive business results.

• Champion the implementation of all new products, processes, and programs, sustaining management of these initiatives across the market.

• Act as a proactive partner, delivering purposeful communication, and ensuring that the right processes and behaviors are practiced at each cafe’s management team to meet market goals and protect Panera’s brand identity.

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Multi‑unit experience or related experience preferred, but not required.
• Some college education or certification preferred, but not required.
• Firm understanding of business outcomes (sales drivers, profit drivers, reading P&L and financial reports).
• Excellent communication skills, ability to influence others.
• Self‑motivated with strong planning, prioritizing, scheduling, and calendar management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic computer functions.
• Strong coaching and development skills to build high‑performing teams and maintain accountability.
• Ability to work long and unusual hours, with up to 95% travel within the market and occasional overnight travel.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Up to 95% travel within the market and some overnight travel for cafe visits and company meetings.
• Mix of walking/standing during long periods while on cafe visits, lifting heavy items or boxes, desk/office work, and commuting between cafe locations.

Compensation: $111,808 - $127,460 (actual pay determined by experience, skills, and location).