Starter Leadership Development Program - July 2027 Start

Panera LLC; United States; Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Job summary

Panera LLC in the United States is offering the Starter Leadership Development Program, an 18-month rotational program for recent graduates. You’ll rotate across the enterprise, work on strategic initiatives, and develop leadership and business acumen while contributing to Panera’s growth.

Starting July 2027 as a full-time, salaried role with benefits, with hybrid work and a minimum 3 days onsite at Newton, MA, and eventual relocation to Weston, MA by July 2027.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree expected by June 2027.
• Ability to start full-time employment in July 2027.
• Demonstrated leadership through internships, student organizations, athletics, volunteer activities or other experiences

Responsibilities

• Participate in multiple rotations across the enterprise, gaining exposure to different business functions and teams.
• Support strategic initiatives and projects that drive business results and enhance the associate and guest experience.
• Analyze data, identify insights, and develop recommendations to support decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to solve business challenges and improve processes.
• Build relationships across the organization through networking, mentorship, and leadership exposure.
• Participate in learning and development opportunities designed to strengthen business acumen, leadership capabilities, and professional skills

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Teamwork

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree (expected)

Job description

Program Details

Starter Leadership Development Program - July 2027 Start Starter Leadership Development Program At Panera, we're committed to growing the next generation of business leaders. The Starter Leadership Development Program is an 18-month rotational experience designed for recent graduates who are eager to accelerate their careers, gain enterprise-wide exposure, and make a meaningful impact from day one. As a Starter, you'll complete multiple rotations across the business, partnering with leaders and teams to support key priorities aligned to Panera RISE, our business strategy. Through hands-on project work, mentorship, professional development, and cross-functional experiences, you'll build a deep understanding of how Panera operates while developing the skills needed to thrive in a fast-paced corporate environment. By the end of the program, you'll have a strong network, a broad business foundation, and the experience needed to launch the next stage of your career at Panera. We are looking for upcoming graduates who are ready to be All In with Panera as we continue transforming our business, and who are aligned to our values of Quality Matters, Hunger for More, Ownership Always, Warmth for All, and Teamwork First

Program Start Date: July 2027

Program Length: 18 months

Employment Type: Full-time, salaried position with benefits

Program Pay: Competitive pay at $80,000.00 annually and 20% bonus potential

Schedule: 40 hours per week

Application Deadline: October 1, 2026 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Hybrid Work: Minimum of 3 days per week onsite at our Newton, MA Support Center.

Company headquarters is expected to relocate to Weston, MA in July 2027 with a 4-day per week onsite requirement.

What You’ll Do

Throughout the program, you’ll gain exposure to multiple areas of the business while contributing to meaningful work that supports Panera’s strategic priorities. Starters should bring their curiosity, innovation, and a growth mindset to every rotation and assignment. Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Participate in multiple rotations across the enterprise, gaining exposure to different business functions and teams
• Support strategic initiatives and projects that drive business results and enhance the associate and guest experience
• Analyze data, identify insights, and develop recommendations to support decision-making
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to solve business challenges and improve processes
• Build relationships across the organization through networking, mentorship, and leadership exposure
• Participate in learning and development opportunities designed to strengthen business acumen, leadership capabilities, and professional skills

Basic Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree expected by June 2027, and ability to start full-time employment in July 2027
• Ability to work in the Greater Boston area for the duration of the program and meet onsite work requirements
• Demonstrated leadership skills through internships, student organizations, athletics, volunteer activities or other experiences
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking abilities
• Flexibility to learn across multiple business areas and adapt in a fast-paced environment

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.