Director, Retail Operations - New Jersey

Panera LLC; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

Panera LLC in New Jersey seeks a Director of Retail Operations to drive world-class execution across bakery-cafes, translating brand objectives into store-level action and developing cafe leaders to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

You will own market strategy, coach management teams, ensure safety and standards, and collaborate with operations, HR, and business development to grow sales and profits while traveling within the market.

Qualifications

• Some college education or related experience preferred.
• Firm understanding of business outcomes and reading P&L/financial reports.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence others.
• Strong coaching and development skills for managers.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Must work long and unusual hours.

Responsibilities

• Create strategy and vision for the market to execute Panera standards and growth.
• Coach cafe management teams and drive performance and accountability.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with market, HR, and business development.
• Lead talent development and succession planning within the market.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

People development

Cross-functional collaboration

Coaching

Influence

Education

Some college education/certification or related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Director, Retail Operations - New Jersey

Job Purpose 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 means acting like an owner as well as leading and developing leaders to deliver great experiences to associates and guests in a way that builds trust that creates loyalty with our team members and guests and creating value in the market through growing sales and delivering profit growth.

Duties & Responsibilities

Business Understanding, Strategic Planning and Execution: Responsible for creating the strategy and vision for the market to achieve the execution of all Panera standards for guest service, marked-wide operating systems, profitability, new unit growth, food quality and safety, and people development. Responsible for achieving key business results and growing the business through coaching, development, and accountability of cafe management teams for the execution against these standards and processes. Effectively understands, applies, and communicates the business’ priorities, and is considered an SME of Panera’s operating systems, and the application throughout the market. Responsible for and the champion for achieving results through collaboration, communication, and implementation and sustained management of all new products, processes, and programs. A proactive partner, working cross‑functionally with market and region‑level support (Operations, HR, business development, etc.) creating discipline around channel execution by providing resources and supporting cafes that ultimately drive business results. Ensures that the right processes and behaviors are practiced by each cafe’s management team to deliver on the market’s established goals and to protect Panera’s brand identity and purpose.

• People Development: Responsible for unlocking and building the capabilities and performance of cafe management teams demonstrated through Panera’s Guiding Values and our people practices. These consist of recruitment, selection, DE&I, compensation, development/training, performance management and coaching, as well as succession planning. Creates the market’s People strategy and maintains a pipeline of talent to support the growth and talent needs within the market, to continually elevate employee performance and capability.
• Brand Protection & Validation: Responsible for ensuring the cafes comply with all established operational standards, policies, and federal and state employment laws, around employment and food and workplace safety. Ensures cafes foster and maintain an inclusive and engaging work environment where every associate can show up authentically, free of discrimination and harassment.

Top Leadership competencies for this role

• Acts like an owner
• Defines vision and purpose
• Unlocks Potential
• Builds trust
• Collaborates
• Delivers results

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

Multi-unit experience or related experience preferred, but not required. Some college education/certification or related experience preferred, but not required. Firm understanding of business outcomes (sales drivers, profit drivers, reading P&L and financial reports). Excellent communication skills and can leverage these skills to influence others. Self‑motivated and can plan, prioritize, schedule, and manage a market-wide calendar. Has the ability to build high performing teams through selection, coaching and development and has strong coaching skills to continuously develop a team of managers. Is motivational and can inspire teams to perform at a high level, create role clarity and hold leaders at different organization levels accountable. Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), internet‑based and complete other basic computer functions. Must have a strong work ethic, with the ability to work long and unusual hours.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Up to 95% travel within the market and some overnight travel for cafe visits based on market geography and for company meetings. Other out-of‑market travel for business needs may be required. This position requires a mix of walking/standing during long periods while on cafe visits (including the lifting of heavy items or boxes), some desk/office administrative work, as well as commuting between cafe locations.

At Panera, we strive to create a healthier and happier world. We do this by running best‑in‑class operations guided by tried‑and‑true restaurant practices and that is always striving to innovate for our guests and our associates.

$119,634‑$136,383 The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, job‑related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

Newton Support Center

With more than 2,000 Panera LLC and independent franchise bakery‑cafes in the Panera Bread® family, and more locations opening all the time, it’s no wonder our company has been an excellent source of career and personal growth opportunities for more than 25 years. In neighborhoods across the U.S. and Canada, customers enjoy flavorful, handcrafted meals centered around freshly baked artisan bread. To us, that means serving food like we serve our own families – free of any of the items on our ‘No No’ List. Along the way, we also like to give back to our community. We enjoy working together, shoulder to shoulder with our customers, to confront a serious problem plaguing communities across this country – Hunger. Through our Panera Cares community cafes, we offer a dignified dining experience in an uplifting environment. In addition, we support our communities through day‑end donations at our bakery‑cafe locations and partner with local non‑profit organizations. It’s this warmth that you’ll find when you join Panera Bread. From our competitive compensation and benefits packages to our unique cultural values, we’re confident you’ll find us a rewarding and fun place to work.