Restaurant Shift Lead - Team Tips!

SLB of Iowa, LLC; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted meals

Full benefits

Competitive pay

Job summary

Panera Bread in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a Shift Lead to guide daily shift operations and ensure exceptional guest experiences. You will open or close the bakery-café and set expectations for the team, while maintaining food safety and brand standards.

The role requires proven leadership in food service or retail, strong communication, and a team-first attitude. Candidates must be 18+, able to lift up to 40 lbs, and pass a background check.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in food service or retail.
• Strong communication and people skills.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Must pass a pre-employment background check.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily shift operations and set expectations for the team.
• Open and/or close the bakery-café.
• Assign tasks, manage break schedules, and keep the shift running smoothly.
• Address guest concerns promptly and professionally.
• Ensure food safety, cleanliness, and brand standards are met.
• Monitor product quality, freshness, and presentation.
• Support onboarding and training of new Associates.
• Assist with cash handling, drawer counts, and basic shift reporting.
• Communicate shift performance, issues, and wins to management.

Skills

Leadership

Guest service

Communication

Teamwork

Lift 40 lbs

Stand for long periods

Education

Age 18+

Job description

As a Shift Lead with Panera Bread, you’ll do more than run a shift; you’ll lead with purpose. Connect with amazing guests, support a growing bakery-café, and make a real impact on your local community every single day.

Why step into leadership with Panera? You shape the experience.

• Lead with Trust - You’re empowered to make decisions and lead with confidence.
• Team-First Culture - Supportive managers and a team that has your back.
• Real Growth Potential - Build leadership skills that clear your pathway to upper-level management.
• Purpose-Driven Work - Serve fresh food and create a warm atmosphere for the team and our guests.
• Delicious Deals - Enjoy discounted employee meals on every shift.
• Full-Time, Full-Benefits -Medical, dental, vision, FSA, 401(k), paid vacation, & major holidays off.
• Competitive Compensation - $18/hour + team tips!

At Panera, RISE is our commitment to delivering great food, genuine hospitality, and a workplace where people feel valued. Our mission is to elevate everyday meals into moments of comfort, connection, and joy. We do this by refreshing our menu with high-quality, flavorful ingredients; igniting value through thoughtfully crafted offerings at accessible price points; serving with excellence by bringing Panera Warmth to every guest interaction and creating an everyday oasis in our bakery-cafés; and expanding our network through growth and modernization. At Panera, our guests are at the center of everything we do—and our people make it possible.

Day-to-Day Duties:

• Lead daily shift operations and set expectations for the team.
• Open and/or close the bakery-café.
• Assign tasks, manage break schedules, and keep the shift running smoothly.
• Address guest concerns promptly and professionally.
• Ensure food safety, cleanliness, and brand standards are met.
• Monitor product quality, freshness, and presentation.
• Support onboarding and training of new Associates.
• Assist with cash handling, drawer counts, and basic shift reporting.
• Communicate shift performance, issues, and wins to management.

Experience and Skills

What You Bring to the Table:

• A team-first, guest-focused mindset that makes everyone feel welcome.
• A positive, can-do attitude that sets the tone for the team.
• The ability to lead by example, work alongside the team, and jump in wherever needed.
• Enthusiasm to coach, support, encourage, and celebrate wins in the moment.
• Motivation to make the team and the café succeed.
• Passion for creating a warm, friendly culture.

The Recipe for Success:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Proven leadership experience in food service or retail.
• Strong communication and people skills.
• Ability to lift up-to 40-lbs and be on your feet for periods of time with occasional bending or stooping.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check.

IMPORTANT: APPLICANTS PLEASE READ
Qualified applicants are considered for employment, and employees are treated during employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status or sexual orientation. Solely to