Job Purpose
Reporting to the Director of Strategic Sourcing, the Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing plays a pivotal leadership role the procurement. This position is responsible for shaping and executing sourcing strategies that drive cost efficiency, quality, innovation, and sustainability across the supply chain. The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration and strategic supplier partnerships to support Panera’s long-term growth.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of strategic sourcing plans across multiple high-impact categories aligned with business goals.
- Conduct advanced market and supplier analysis to inform sourcing decisions and contract negotiations.
- Own the end-to-end sourcing process, including RFP/RFQ management, supplier selection, and value optimization.
- Partner closely with culinary, operations, and sustainability teams to align sourcing strategies with business priorities.
- Build and manage strategic supplier relationships to ensure performance, innovation, and risk mitigation.
- Drive continuous improvement through supplier scorecards, performance reviews, and corrective action plans.
- Analyze spend and procurement data to identify cost-saving opportunities, supply risks, and process efficiencies.
- Stay ahead of industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies to inform sourcing strategies.
- Champion sustainability and responsible sourcing initiatives across the supply base and annual reporting.
- Develop and lead supplier business continuity planning, BCP. across categories
- Manages commodity risk management across high impact direct-spend portfolio
- Coordinate the execution of new product (permanent or LTO) introductions in the Panera system, considering production lead times, MOQs, and contingency
- Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems. Ability to document, plan, market, and execute programs. Established project management skills
- Exhibits exceptional flexibility and adaptability, consistently demonstrating a proactive approach and a strong sense of urgency. Capable of responding swiftly and effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, always with the highest degree of integrity
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing or procurement, ideally within food & beverage or CPG.
- Proven success in leading complex negotiations and delivering measurable cost savings.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with experience using procurement analytics tools.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across all levels of the organization.
- Deep understanding of supply chain principles, food safety standards, and vendor compliance.
- Experience presenting to senior leadership and influencing cross-functional decision-making.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and sourcing platforms; experience with ERP systems preferred.
Working Conditions
- Required travel – up to 25%
Physical Requirements
- While performing this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, sit, talk hear & use hands and fingers to operate keyboards
Direct Reports
- This position will have no direct reports
Competitive Pay $119,634-$167,488 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.
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What We Do
Panera began in 1987 as St. Louis Bread Company, a humble community bakery founded with a sourdough starter from San Francisco and a dream of putting a loaf of bread in every arm. While our business has expanded well beyond St. Louis since then, that same sourdough starter is still used in our iconic sourdough bread and the craft of baking bread fresh each day remains at the heart of Panera Bread. Each day, our trained bakers fill our bakery shelves with delicious freshly baked cookies, pastries, bagels, and a range of breads from focaccia to classic baguettes. We believe in serving delicious, freshly prepared, clean food made with carefully selected ingredients that we are proud to serve our own families. Our menu, crafted by chefs and bakers, features classic, comforting dishes, each with an intriguing twist. We respect our planet and take measures to lessen our impacts. We believe in treating people with warmth, kindness, and respect, whether it’s a guest in our cafe or one of our associates. And we believe in helping our local communities, especially in times of need. We’re also focused on improving quality and convenience. With investments in technology and operations, we offer omni-channel access to your Panera favorites – like mobile ordering, catering, and Rapid Pick-Up® for to-go orders, Curbside pick-up and delivery – all designed to make things easier for our guests. Today, Panera operates as both Panera Bread® or Saint Louis Bread Co St. Louis Bread Company in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Panera Bread is privately held by JAB Holding Company. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast-casual restaurant platforms in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros.® Bagels.
