Director, Retail Operations - Northern New Jersey

Panera Bread

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The 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 role requires acting like an owner, leading and developing leaders to deliver great experiences to associates and guests in a way that builds trust, creates loyalty, and grows sales and profit. The position involves creating the strategy and vision for the market to achieve the execution of all Panera standards for guest service, market-wide operating systems, profitability, new unit growth, food quality and safety, and people development. This role is also responsible for achieving key business results and growing the business through coaching, development, and accountability of cafe management teams. The Director will act as a champion for achieving results through collaboration, communication, and implementation of new products, processes, and programs, and will partner cross-functionally with market and region-level support to drive business results. Additionally, the role ensures that the right processes and behaviors are practiced by each cafe’s management team to deliver on established goals and protect Panera’s brand identity and purpose. People development is a key aspect, focusing on unlocking and building the capabilities and performance of cafe management teams through Panera’s Guiding Values and people practices, including recruitment, selection, DE&I, compensation, development/training, performance management, coaching, and succession planning. The Director will create the market’s People strategy and maintain a pipeline of talent. Brand protection and validation are also crucial, ensuring cafes comply with all operational standards, policies, and employment laws, and foster an inclusive and engaging work environment.

Requirements

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.
Ability to build high performing teams through selection, coaching and development.
Strong coaching skills to continuously develop a team of managers.
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.
Strong work ethic, with the ability to work long and unusual hours.

Nice To Haves

Multi-unit experience or related experience preferred, but not required.
Some college education/certification or related experience preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Creating the strategy and vision for the market to achieve the execution of all Panera standards for guest service, market-wide operating systems, profitability, new unit growth, food quality and safety, and people development.
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 understanding, applying, and communicating the business’ priorities, and acting as an SME of Panera’s operating systems.
Championing the achievement of results through collaboration, communication, and implementation and sustained management of all new products, processes, and programs.
Partnering cross-functionally with market and region-level support (Operations, HR, business development, etc.) to create discipline around channel execution by providing resources and supporting cafes that ultimately drive business results.
Ensuring 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.
Unlocking and building the capabilities and performance of cafe management teams demonstrated through Panera’s Guiding Values and people practices (recruitment, selection, DE&I, compensation, development/training, performance management and coaching, succession planning).
Creating the market’s People strategy and maintaining a pipeline of talent to support the growth and talent needs within the market.
Ensuring the cafes comply with all established operational standards, policies, and federal and state employment laws, around employment and food and workplace safety.
Ensuring cafes foster and maintain an inclusive and engaging work environment where every associate can show up authentically, free of discrimination and harassment.