Manager, Sensory & Consumer Insights

Panera LLC; United States; On-site; USD 105,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Panera LLC is seeking a Manager of Sensory & Consumer Insights to lead research powering menu innovation and guest experience. The role blends research excellence with culinary curiosity and business acumen, shaping the product pipeline and strategy.

Reporting to the Vice President, Consumer Insights, you will guide both qualitative and quantitative studies, translate findings into actionable recommendations, and collaborate with Culinary, Marketing, and cross-functional teams to drive

Qualifications

• Experience in consumer insights, sensory research, market research, or product innovation, preferably within the restaurant, foodservice, food and beverage, or consumer packaged goods industries.
• Demonstrated success influencing product development and menu innovation through consumer-driven insights.
• Experience managing sensory testing programs and translating findings into actionable recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead all sensory and consumer research initiatives supporting food and beverage innovation, optimization, and performance.
• Design and execute quantitative and qualitative research studies, including sensory evaluations and product testing.
• Develop research objectives, questionnaires, discussion guides, and reporting frameworks that deliver actionable insights.
• Partner closely with Culinary and Marketing teams to inform long-term menu strategy, innovation priorities, and product development decisions.
• Identify white space opportunities, emerging food and beverage trends, competitive learnings, and unmet guest needs to fuel future innovation.
• Translate guest insights into clear recommendations that improve product quality, guest satisfaction, and business performance.

Skills

Sensory research

Consumer insights

Storytelling

Project management

Stakeholder influence

Data visualization

Job description

Manager, Sensory & Consumer Insights

The Manager of Sensory & Consumer Insights is a strategic leader responsible for shaping the future of the brand’s food and beverage portfolio through deep sensory/product insights. This role combines research expertise, culinary curiosity, and business acumen to guide food and beverage innovation. The Manager ensures that guest needs, behaviors, preferences, and emerging trends are translated into actionable insights that drive menu development. Reporting to the Vice President, Consumer Insights, this role serves as a key partner to Culinary, Marketing, and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, validate innovation, and build a guest-centered product pipeline.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Sensory & Consumer Insights
• Lead all sensory and consumer research initiatives supporting food and beverage innovation, optimization, and performance.
• Design and execute quantitative and qualitative research studies, including sensory evaluations and product testing.
• Develop research objectives, questionnaires, discussion guides, and reporting frameworks that deliver actionable insights.
• Partner closely with Culinary and Marketing teams to inform long-term menu strategy, innovation priorities, and product development decisions.
• Identify white space opportunities, emerging food and beverage trends, competitive learnings, and unmet guest needs to fuel future innovation.
• Translate guest insights into clear recommendations that improve product quality, guest satisfaction, and business performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Culinary teams to translate insights into prototypes and optimize products.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Marketing, Culinary, Operations, and Leadership teams by providing strategic recommendations grounded in data and consumer understanding.
• Present findings and business implications to senior leadership with clarity, confidence, and influence.
• Champion a consumer-first mindset across the organization and advocate for guest insights throughout the product development process.

Research Excellence & Methodology

• Design and oversee custom research programs utilizing a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys, and sensory panels.
• Moderate focus groups and qualitative sessions as needed.
• Execute in-house testing initiatives and work collaboratively with cross-functional partners to ensure seamless study implementation.
• Apply advanced analytical techniques and sensory evaluation tools to uncover meaningful insights and opportunities.
• Manage external research agencies and suppliers, ensuring high-quality deliverables, methodological rigor, timelines, and budget efficiency.
• Continuously evolve research practices by incorporating innovative methodologies, technologies, and best practices.

Qualifications

• Experience in consumer insights, sensory research, market research, or product innovation, preferably within the restaurant, foodservice, food and beverage, or consumer packaged goods industries.
• Demonstrated success influencing product development and menu innovation through consumer-driven insights.
• Experience managing sensory testing programs and translating findings into actionable recommendations.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of sensory research methodologies and consumer research techniques.
• Experience designing, conducting and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative studies.
• Exceptional storytelling, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across functions and organizational levels.
• Proficiency with research, survey, and data visualization tools.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed to support testing.

Performance & Success Measures

• A food and beverage innovation pipeline rooted in deep guest understanding.
• Tangible impact on menu performance, guest satisfaction, and innovation success rates.
• Clear, influential insights that shape critical culinary and marketing decisions.
• Strong partnerships across Culinary, Marketing, and Operations teams.
• Efficient and effective execution of sensory and consumer research programs.
• Identification of emerging trends and opportunities that support long-term brand growth.

Competitive Pay

$104,942 to $125,930 annually. 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 on 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.