Panera Bread
Senior Manager, Culinary Insights
$136K–$164K
Newton Support Center · Manager · Full-time · Posted Apr 8, 2026
- Experience
- 4 to 7+ years; restaurant industry experience is ideal.
About the job
Leads consumer insights for Panera’s menu strategy and culinary innovation, translating research into product development and business recommendations.
What you'll do
- Lead the insights agenda and research roadmap for menu strategy, culinary innovation, and new product development.
- Oversee concept and sensory testing, analyze menu performance, and identify guest needs and innovation opportunities.
- Partner with Culinary and Marketing leaders to turn insights into product briefs, prototypes, and strategic recommendations.
What they ask for
- 4 to 7+ years of consumer insights experience focused on menu/product development and innovation.
- Track record of influencing product development and innovation decisions.
- Experience managing direct reports.
- Experience leading complex research programs and synthesizing insights into strategic direction.
Nice to have
- Experience ideally within the restaurant industry.
- Strong understanding of culinary trends, guest behavior, and the restaurant competitive landscape.
Pay
$136,383 - $163,660 USD annually; base salary
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative