Director, Retail Operations - St. Louis Metro

Director, Retail Operations - St. Louis Metro: Responsible for delivering world‑class execution of Panera operational expectations in the bakery‑cafés by translating brand objectives into action for cafes and associates. Acts like an owner while leading and developing leaders to achieve great experiences for associates and guests, building trust, loyalty, and value in the market through sales growth and profitability. Duties & Responsibilities Business Understanding, Strategic Planning and Execution: Create the strategy and vision for the market to achieve all Panera standards for guest service, operating systems, profitability, new unit growth, food quality & safety, and people development. Drive results through coaching, development, and accountability of cafe management teams. People Development: Unlock and build the capabilities of cafe management teams through recruitment, selection, DE&I, compensation, development/training, performance management, coaching, and succession planning. Maintain a talent pipeline to support market growth. Brand Protection & Validation: Ensure cafes comply with all operational standards, policies, and federal/state employment laws. Foster an inclusive, harassment‑free environment where every associate can show up authentically. Collaborate cross‑functionally with market and region level support (Operations, HR, business development) to provide discipline and resources that drive business results. Champion sustainable management of new products, processes, and programs across the market. Top Leadership Competencies Acts like an owner, defines vision and purpose, unlocks potential, builds trust, collaborates, and delivers results. Qualifications (Education & Experience) Multi‑unit experience or related experience preferred. Some college education or certification preferred. Firm understanding of business outcomes (sales drivers, profit drivers, reading P&L). Excellent communication skills; ability to influence others. Self‑motivated, able to plan, prioritize, schedule, and manage a market‑wide calendar. Strong coaching skills and ability to build high‑performing teams. Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic computer functions. Strong work ethic; ability to work long and unusual hours, including up to 95% travel within the market and some overnight travel. Working Conditions & Physical Requirements Requires frequent walking/standing during long periods while on cafe visits (including lifting heavy items). Includes some desk/office work and commuting between locations. Competitive Pay $111,808 - $134,169 (pay determined by experience, knowledge, skills, and geography). #J-18808-Ljbffr Panera LLC