Sr Manager, Distribution & Logistics

Panera Bread

5d•$136,383 - $163,660•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Manager, Distribution & Logistics, is accountable for the end-to-end management of Panera’s distribution network, supporting more than 250,000 annual delivery events to over 2,200 cafés. This role oversees approximately $125MM in annual distribution spend, ensuring best-in-class service & communication, quality, cost efficiency, and scalability for café operators across the system. This leader partners closely with senior internal stakeholders and external distribution partners to align strategy, drive continuous improvement, and prepare the network for Panera’s ongoing menu innovation, geographic expansion, and evolving business models. This role is located in our Boston Support Center.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required
10+ years of experience in distribution, logistics, or related supply chain fields.
Experience managing large-scale, multi-mode distribution networks preferred.
Deep understanding of distribution business models, cost drivers, and logistics
Strategic planning and execution
Strong analytical, financial, and critical thinking skills
Ability to influence cross-functional and external partners
Ability to hold external partners accountable
Proven business leader with effective communication and stakeholder-management skills
Comfortably operating in senior executive environments
Customer Service mindset
Ability to translate strategy into clear, actionable execution
Strong people skills
Flexible, adaptable, and resilient
Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred
Professional Certifications Preferred: CSCP, CLTD, CSCMP, WERC

Responsibilities

Ensure consistent, best-in-class delivery service to more than 2,200 cafés, meeting or exceeding predetermined service-level expectations.
Proactively communicate any delivery changes, anticipated issues, holiday schedules, etc. to café operators, in close collaboration with other departments and external distribution partners.
Function as the main escalation point for service issues impacting café operations.
Drive fact-based improvements through predictive and historical KPIs, identifying trends, root causes, and corrective actions to improve delivery quality and the café experience.
Hold external distribution partners accountable to agreed-upon actions and timelines. KPIs include OTIF, fill rate, damages, claims, and café complaints.
Build and maintain strong supplier and distributor relationships that enable a scalable, resilient distribution network. This includes the integration and onboarding of new distribution sites and/or partners.
Ensure systems, processes, and partners are prepared to support menu innovation, geographic expansion, and non-traditional unit growth.
Lead cost and revenue centers totaling $125MM+ annually, delivering value and efficiency while maintaining service and quality standards for café operators.
Identify and execute cost optimization opportunities without compromising service or quality.
Establish and maintain close alignment with internal leaders and external partners on strategy, performance, risks, and opportunities.
Influence decision-making through clear communication and data-backed insights.
Lead and execute competitive business strategies, including: Pilots of new distribution models and suppliers, Strategic distributor partnership development and ongoing optimization, Network design and continuous improvement initiatives.
Lead and execute data-driven initiatives to improve distributor performance and network outcomes.
Analyze performance data using Panera Power BI tools, Excel, and AI.
Develop and maintain distributor scorecards across all partners.
Drive accountability and continuous improvement through standardized reporting and performance reviews.