10+ years in workforce planning, labor analytics, or operations finance with managerial experience
Experience collaborating with Operations, Finance, HR, and Technology
Familiarity with workforce systems and scheduling tools
Successful completion of required training initiatives
Responsibilities
Develop and enhance labor scheduling and deployment models for business alignment
Analyze labor utilization and performance trends for operational effectiveness
Partner with teams to innovate in automation and scheduling strategies
Evaluate labor implications of changes in products and processes
Forecast labor costs and establish efficiency targets with Finance
Lead change management and training for workforce planning systems
Benchmark against industry standards to drive scheduling efficiency
Improve workforce planning systems and tools with IS collaboration
Benefits
Hybrid work schedule
401K with company match
Yearly bonus opportunity
Full medical, dental, and vision insurance
On-site fitness center and health services
Discounts at Panda restaurants and theme parks
15 days paid time off plus 7 federal holidays
Continuous education assistance and scholarships
Income protection through disability and life insurance
Bereavement leave
Full Job Description
Summary of Job Description:
The Director, Workforce Planning is responsible for advancing Panda's labor strategy through data-driven planning, performance insights, and operational partnership. This role enables enterprise workforce efficiency by developing scalable labor models, providing actionable analytics, and supporting innovation across scheduling, deployment, and workforce systems.
Job Responsibilities:
Develops and refines labor scheduling and deployment models to improve accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with business priorities in partnership with Operations, Finance, and HR.
Analyzes labor utilization and performance trends to assess deployment effectiveness, identify improvement opportunities, and provide actionable insights to Operations.
Partners with other teams to develop innovations in automation, analytics, scheduling strategies, deployment models, process improvements, and scalable workforce solutions to enhance labor efficiency.
Evaluates labor implications of menu, product, process, design, and equipment changes, translating impacts into labor hours, deployment needs, and labor cost considerations.
Partners with Finance to forecast labor costs, build scenario-based workforce plans, identify savings opportunities, and establish labor efficiency targets.
Leads change management strategies and training plans to support adoption and optimization of workforce planning systems, tools, and labor efficiency initiatives.
Leads benchmarking efforts to compare against industry standards, best practices, and emerging trends to inform innovation in scheduling, deployment, and efficiency.
Enhances workforce planning systems, tools, and models by partnering with IS teams to implement improvements that strengthen labor planning, scheduling, analytics, and decision making.
Work Environment:
Office conditions; travel up to 20% to domestic stores
How we reward you:
Hybrid work schedule
401K with company match
Yearly bonus opportunity*
Full medical, dental, and vision insurance *
On-site fitness center, biometric screen, and flu shot clinic
Discounts at Panda restaurants, theme parks, and gym memberships
Paid time off starting at 15 days with 7 federal holidays*
Continuous education assistance and scholarships*
Income protection including Disability, Life and AD&D insurance*
Bereavement leave*
*Benefits available for eligible permanent full time associates
Your background and experience:
Bachelor's degree required
10+ years of experience in workforce planning, labor analytics, operations finance, or related field, .with increasing management responsibility; experience working cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, HR, and Technology teams and familiarity with workforce systems, scheduling tools, and data platforms
Successful completion of initial and periodically required trainings.
Obtaining a valid Food Handler's Card within 30 days of employment is a requirement of this position.
Pay Range: M4: $161,000 - $226,000 / Annual
* Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience.
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About Panda Express
Panda Express is a fast food restaurant chain that specializes in Chinese cuisine. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Rosemead, California. Panda Express operates over 2,000 locations in the United States and has a presence in several other countries. The company's menu includes a variety of dishes, including orange chicken, kung pao chicken, and chow mein. Panda Express is committed to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
