General Manager

Panera Bread•Cottage Grove, MN

9d•$65,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The General Manager leads and oversees the success of a Panera bakery-cafe. This role takes ownership of operations, makes strategic decisions, and creates an environment where team members can thrive and guests receive welcoming service. The General Manager is responsible for staffing, scheduling, hiring, onboarding, training, team development, performance management, and succession planning. They ensure the bakery-cafe meets its goals, operational and quality standards, guest-service expectations, company strategies, and regulatory requirements. The role also maintains workplace health and safety, food and company standards, costs, and inventory, while fostering a culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust. The role requires flexible hours, including nights and weekends, in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities. Candidates must be at least 18 years old. Three or more years of restaurant General Manager experience is preferred, and candidates must have ServSafe certification or be able to obtain it. Any job offer is conditional upon the results of a background check. The listed pay range is $65,000–$75,000; actual compensation depends on factors including relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographic location.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
ServSafe certification or ability to achieve it.
Proven ability to drive positive results through strong business acumen.
Proven ability to run effective shifts and direct, motivate, coach, and develop others in a fast-paced environment.
Must be able to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing 25 pounds.
Ability to stand and walk for up to 6 hours.
Ability to communicate clearly and quickly understand guests’ and associates’ directions in a loud environment.
Any job offer is conditional upon the results of a background check.

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of restaurant General Manager experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the bakery-cafe team, including planning and managing staffing needs, scheduling, people development, career development, performance management, training, and succession planning.
Hire, onboard, and train team members; motivate, engage, inspire, and recognize the team.
Manage team performance to meet bakery-cafe goals, operational and quality standards, and guest-service expectations.
Develop managers as subject matter experts in people processes and Panera’s Guiding Values & Behaviors.
Follow operational procedures and execute company strategies and initiatives.
Ensure guests are delighted by the quality of food, service, and staff.
Build relationships that encourage long-term guest loyalty.
Ensure team members follow company policies and procedures and comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Maintain a healthy and safe workplace that meets health, food, safety, and company culture standards.
Manage the bakery-cafe’s overall costs and inventory.
Help build a culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.
Represent Panera’s Guiding Values and Behaviors by taking initiative, working as a team, learning and growing together, finding solutions, celebrating success, and seeing the best in others.