Multi-unit management experience is preferred but not strictly required.
Some college education or relevant experience is an advantage.
Strong understanding of business metrics, including sales and profit drivers, and ability to interpret P&L statements.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders.
Self-motivated with strong organizational and scheduling abilities across the market.
Proven capability in building high-performing teams through effective selection and coaching.
Strong motivational skills to inspire performance and hold leaders accountable.
Responsibilities
Create and execute a strategic vision for market operations to meet Panera's standards.
Coach and develop cafe management teams to achieve business results and uphold high standards.
Be a subject matter expert on Panera's operations and effectively communicate priorities.
Lead cross-functional collaborations to support cafe performance and drive business results.
Ensure operational compliance with established standards and regulations.
Foster an inclusive and engaging work environment for all associates.
Develop and implement a people strategy to enhance talent management and employee capabilities.
Benefits
Opportunities for professional growth and development.
Supportive workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Travel opportunities within the market, enhancing industry knowledge and experience.
Flexibility with working conditions to adapt to market needs.
Full Job Description
Director, Retail Operations - Dakotas
Job Purpose
Director, Retail Operations is responsible for delivering world class execution of Panera operational expectations in the bakery-cafes by translating brand objectives to cafes and associates. This means acting like an owner as well as leading and developing leaders to deliver great experiences to associates and guests in a way that builds trust that creates loyalty with our team members and guests and creating value in the market through growing sales and delivering profit growth.
Duties & Responsibilities
Business Understanding, Strategic Planning and Execution:
Responsible for creating the strategy and vision for the market to achieve the execution of all Panera standards for guest service, marked-wide operating systems, profitability, new unit growth, food quality and safety, and people development.
Responsible for achieving key business results and growing the business through coaching, development, and accountability of cafe management teams for the execution against these standards and processes.
Effectively understands, applies, and communicates the business' priorities, and is considered an SME of Panera's operating systems, and the application throughout the market.
Responsible for and the champion for achieving results through collaboration, communication, and implementation and sustained management of all new products, processes, and programs.
A proactive partner, working cross-functionally with market and region-level support (Operations, HR, business development, etc.) creating discipline around channel execution by providing resources and supporting cafes that ultimately drive business results.
Ensures that the right processes and behaviors are practiced by each cafe's management team to deliver on the market's established goals and to protect Panera's brand identity and purpose.
• People Development:
Responsible for unlocking and building the capabilities and performance of cafe management teams demonstrated through Panera's Guiding Values and our people practices. These consist of recruitment, selection, DE&I, compensation, development/training, performance management and coaching, as well as succession planning.
Creates the market's People strategy and maintains a pipeline of talent to support the growth and talent needs within the market, to continually elevate employee performance and capability.
• Brand Protection & Validation:
Responsible for ensuring the cafes comply with all established operational standards, policies, and federal and state employment laws, around employment and food and workplace safety.
Ensures cafes foster and maintain an inclusive and engaging work environment where every associate can show up authentically, free of discrimination and harassment.
Top Leadership competencies for this role
Acts like an owner
Defines vision and purpose
Unlocks Potential
Builds trust
Collaborates
Delivers results
Qualifications (Education & Experience)
Multi-unit experience or related experience preferred, but not required.
Some college education/certification or related experience preferred, but not required.
Firm understanding of business outcomes (sales drivers, profit drivers, reading P&L and financial reports).
Excellent communication skills and can leverage these skills to influence others.
Self-motivated and can plan, prioritize, schedule, and manage a market-wide calendar.
Has the ability to build high performing teams through selection, coaching and development and has strong coaching skills to continuously develop a team of managers.
Is motivational and can inspire teams to perform at a high level, create role clarity and hold leaders at different organization levels accountable.
Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Work, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), internet-based and complete other basic computer functions.
Must have a strong work ethic, with the ability to work long and unusual hours.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
Up to 95% travel within the market and some overnight travel for cafe visits based on market geography and for company meetings. Other out-of-market travel for business needs may be required.
This position requires a mix of walking/standing during long periods while on cafe visits (including the lifting of heavy items or boxes), some desk/office administrative work, as well as commuting between cafe locations.
$111,808 - $127,460
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.
