General Manager

Panera LLC; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 67,009 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Quarterly bonuses

Free on-shift meals

Paid vacation & holidays

Medical & dental insurance

401(k) with match

Career advancement

Tuition discounts

Team member programs

Supportive culture

Background check

Job summary

Panera is seeking a General Manager Lead to own and drive bakery-cafe operations, staffing, and team development in a fast-paced environment. You will hire, onboard, train, and inspire the team while ensuring exceptional guest service and adherence to company standards.

You will build managers through Panera’s guiding values, manage costs and inventory, and contribute to a culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust. Background check applies.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of restaurant General Manager experience preferred.
• ServSafe certification (or ability to achieve).

Responsibilities

• Owning all aspects of leading the bakery-cafe team, including staffing, scheduling, development, performance management, training, and succession planning.
• Hiring, onboarding, and training new team members while motivating and celebrating the team.
• Managing team performance to meet goals, quality standards and guest service expectations.
• Developing managers on Panera’s values and behaviors to create subject matter experts within the cafe.
• Following procedures to ensure execution of company strategies.
• Ensuring guests are delighted by the quality of food, service and staff.
• Building relationships that lead to long-term, loyal guests.
• Ensuring compliance with policies and regulations and maintaining a safe workplace.
• Controlling the bakery-cafe’s costs and inventory and supporting the culture of warmth and trust.

Skills

Leadership

People development

Guest service

Fast-paced environment

Education

ServSafe certification

Job description

General Manager Lead with purpose. Grow with support. At Panera, our leaders are celebrated for bringing out the best in their teams. Enjoy great perks, a welcoming culture, and the opportunity to make a real impact—every day. Get ready to rise and come join the fun where you will be a part of making the familiar fantastic! Because at Panera, the best thing of bread is sharing it!

What’s In It for You?

• Competitive pay & eligible for quarterly bonuses
• Free on-shift meals & unlimited fountain beverages
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance & 401(k) with match available
• Career advancement & leadership development opportunities
• Tuition discounts
• Perks & rewards for team members
• Team member assistance program
• And much, much more!

Your Role Includes:

• Owning all aspects of leading the bakery-cafe team, including planning and managing staffing needs, scheduling, people development, career development, performance management, training, and succession planning.
• Hiring, onboarding, and training new team members while motivating, energizing, engaging, inspiring, and celebrating the entire team.
• Managing team performance to ensure the bakery-cafe’s goals, operational and quality standards, and extraordinary guest service expectations are met.
• Developing managers on people processes and Panera’s Guiding Values & Behaviors to create subject matter experts within the café.
• Following operational procedures designed to ensure successful execution of all company strategies and initiatives.
• Ensuring every guest is delighted by the quality of our food, service, and staff.
• Building engaging relationships that lead to long‑term, loyal guests.
• Ensuring team members follow company policies and procedures and comply with all federal, state and local regulations.
• Maintaining a healthy and safe workplace that meets Panera’s health, food, safety, and company culture standards.
• Controlling the bakery-cafe’s overall costs and inventory.
• Helping build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

This Opportunity Is for You

• Minimum age: 18 years of age.
• 3+ years of restaurant General Manager experience preferred.
• ServSafe certification (or ability to achieve).
• Proven ability to drive positive results through strong business acumen.
• Proven ability to run great shifts while directing, motivating, coaching and developing others in a fast‑paced environment.
• Flexible hours including nights, weekends and a fast‑paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 25 pounds.
• Capability to stand and walk for up to 6 hours.
• Must be able to clearly communicate and quickly understand guests and associates’ directions in a loud environment.
• Be an ambassador of our Guiding Values and Behaviors by making people smile, learning and growing together, finding solutions, taking initiative, working as a team, having fun, and celebrating success.
• Any job offer for this position is conditional upon the results of a background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, veteran status, or any other protected group status. Pay range: $67,009–$72,000 (actual pay will vary based on experience and location).