VP, Regional Retail Operations

PurposeThe Vice President of Regional Retail Operations is a strategic leader responsible for driving sales growth, elevating the guest experience, and ensuring operational excellence across a large muti‑state territory. This includes requirements to lead high‑performing regional teams and influence cross‑functional areas such as HR, L&D, Real Estate, Design & Development, Ops Services, and Category Management. This role sets the overall strategic direction for a large, complex retail region and is accountable for scaling operational systems, developing deep leadership bench strength, and cultivating a culture that drives both immediate results and long‑term enterprise value.Candidates must be based in the upper Midwest (Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin) or be willing to relocate.Essential ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Enterprise ImpactSet the strategic vision for a large retail territory.Drive multi‑year growth plans focused on sales, transaction increases, and long‑term value creation.Act as a key advisor to senior leadership (SVP and above) on regional performance, competitive insights, and regional opportunities.Sales, Guest Experience & Operational ExecutionBuild a guest‑centric culture that champions food quality, service standards, and safety.Ensure consistent achievement of sales, margin, and P&L expectations.Deep understanding of drivers behind variancesLeadership of Expanded OrganizationLead and coach 10+ direct reports including multi-unit market-level leadersScale leadership systems, communication rhythms, and operational routines to support a larger, more diverse team.Ability to create and execute turnaround plansStrong collaboration with Finance and Ops ServicesBench Development & Talent StrategyDesign and execute a regional leadership development strategy in partnership with HRBP to ensure a strong, ready pipeline of future leadersLead regional talent calibration, performance management, and diversity and inclusion efforts in partnership with HRBP.Cross‑Functional & Enterprise CollaborationPartner closely with HR, Real Estate, Construction, Learning & Development, and Category Management.Oversee major initiatives—including site selection, capital spending, and project management.Required Knowledge, Skills & CompetenciesRegional Leadership: Able to operate with long-term strategic thinking and inspire action by clearly connecting strategy and goals to mission while executing at scale and holding team accountable to deliver expected results.Sales & Guest Excellence Orientation: Deep understanding of retail guest experience drivers, unit‑level economics, competitive landscape, and sales levers.Bench & Talent Architect: Demonstrated ability to build a sustainable talent pipeline across large territories.Operational Mastery: Expert knowledge of food safety, labor, P&L, cost management, and multi‑unit operations.Change Leadership: Thrives in a fast-changing environment and able to inspire, role model and hold multi-unit market-level leaders accountable to lead teams through transformation.Influential Communicator: Strong communication and team‑building skills across the entire retail organization.Minimum RequirementsReflects original requirements but scaled for expanded scope:Four‑year college education10+ years of industry and/or Panera experience (internal or external) with progressive, multi‑unit leadership responsibilityDemonstrated success leading large territories and 10+ direct reportsProven track record of delivering sales growth and exceptional guest experienceWork EnvironmentExtensive travel to support a large geographic territory.Regular time spent in cafés, markets, and cross‑functional meetings.Ability to balance field presence with strategic, office‑based work.Competitive Pay $188,838 to $226,606 annually.The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.