Sr Manager, Engineering Project Management

Overview

The Sr. Manager, Engineering Project Management at Panera Bread serves as the primary project manager for initiatives led by the Engineering team that improve café operations and systems. This role ensures projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with Panera’s strategic goals, supporting operational efficiency and the future operating model.

• Own end-to-end project management for café engineering initiatives, including planning, scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans and timelines; monitor progress and proactively resolve issues.
• Serve as a liaison between Engineering and cross‑functional teams (Operations, Development, Culinary, IT, Finance) to ensure alignment and smooth execution.
• Prepare and deliver clear, actionable updates to leadership and field teams, supporting testing and equipment deployments.
• Validate technical feasibility of new equipment, systems, and processes; provide recommendations based on operational impact.
• Work with Development’s design and creative groups to ensure equipment placement avoids bottlenecks and supports customer and associate travel paths.
• Drive continuous improvement by leveraging data, analytics, and feedback from field operations.
• Work on other assigned projects as necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in project management, engineering, or operations, preferably within a multi‑unit restaurant or retail environment.
• Strong technical aptitude with ability to troubleshoot and solve complex problems.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results on time.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills; able to build relationships across departments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with project management tools a plus.
• Able to delegate effectively, with strong follow‑up skills.
• Ability to travel up to 50% based on project needs.

Competitive pay ranging from $136,383 to $190,937 annually, with potential travel up to 50% based on project needs.