Senior Manager, Sensory & Consumer Insights

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

Job summary

Panera Bread’s Manager, Sensory & Consumer Insights at the Newton Support Center leads sensory and consumer research to shape the brand’s food and beverage portfolio. You translate guest needs, behaviors, and trends into actionable insights that guide menu development and product optimization.

You will partner with Culinary, Marketing, Operations, and senior leadership to inform long‑term strategy, design mixed‑method studies, manage external agencies, and champion a consumer‑first mindset

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in consumer insights, sensory research, market research, or product innovation.
• 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.
• Design and execute quantitative and qualitative studies, including sensory evaluations and product testing.
• Develop research objectives, questionnaires, discussion guides, and reporting frameworks.
• Partner with Culinary and Marketing teams to inform long‑term menu strategy and product development.
• Identify white space opportunities, emerging trends, and unmet guest needs for future innovation.
• Translate guest insights into recommendations to improve product quality and guest satisfaction.

Skills

Consumer insights

Sensory research

Market research

Product innovation

Storytelling

Project management

Stakeholder influence

Data visualization

Travel willingness

Job description

Panera Bread’s Manager, Sensory & Consumer Insights at the Newton Support Center leads sensory and consumer research to shape the brand’s food and beverage portfolio. You translate guest needs, behaviors, and trends into actionable insights that guide menu development and product optimization.

You will partner with Culinary, Marketing, Operations, and senior leadership to inform long‑term strategy, design mixed‑method studies, manage external agencies, and champion a consumer‑first mindset