Product Lifecycle Manager Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

The Manager, Product Supply is responsible for full end-to-end ownership of assigned product categories, delivering proactive supply chain strategies that ensure seamless execution of core menu items, innovation, promotions, and limited-time offers (LTOs) - with consistent rigor across all.

This role translates business priorities into forward-looking supply plans that drive readiness, mitigate risk, and maintain supply continuity across the network, while also leading product lifecycle transitions to ensure smooth movement of items into, within, and out of the system. Through this work, the Manager plays a critical role in safeguarding sales performance, ensuring reliable product availability, and enabling consistent guest experience.

Serving as a strategic connector across cross-functional teams and external partners, this role drives key supply decisions and leverages strong executive-level communication to provide clear visibility into supply health, risks, and performance.

Duties & Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Own end-to-end supply chain performance for assigned categories across core menu, innovation, promotions, LTOs, and product transitions, ensuring alignment to business priorities and flawless execution across the network.
• Lead proactive planning and decision-making for supply, inventory, and capacity, translating demand signals into actionable strategies that balance service, cost, and risk
• Drive cross-functional alignment and execution with Culinary, Quality, Category Management, Sourcing, and Operations to ensure supply readiness, launch timing, and seamless product transitions across the system.
• Manage supplier and distribution partner performance by setting clear expectations, holding partners accountable to service, quality, and delivery metrics, and driving continuous improvement across the network.
• Establish and leverage advanced reporting and KPIs to monitor supply health, inventory positions, and network performance, using insights to anticipate risks and inform strategic decisions.
• Lead network response for supply disruptions, including shortages, quality holds, and recalls, ensuring rapid, coordinated resolution and clear communication of impacts, trade-offs, and mitigation plans.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior leadership through executive-level communication and presentations, translating complex data into clear actions and business implications.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement opportunities across suppliers, processes, and network design to enhance supply chain efficiency, resiliency, and cost performance.

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or Logistics

Specialized Knowledge & Skills

• Strong proficiency in supply chain data systems and analytics tools (24TRACC or similar platforms), with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Advanced understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes, including inventory management, warehousing, and transportation concepts
• Demonstrated knowledge of packaging supply chains, including materials planning, supplier capabilities, and lifecycle management; familiarity with tooling, specifications, and production constraints is strongly preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; strong working knowledge of PowerPoint, Word, and data visualization tools to support executive-level communication
• Proven ability to build and leverage reporting frameworks, KPIs, and analytics to drive performance, visibility, and decision-making

Core Competencies & Abilities

• Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to clearly synthesize complex information and influence cross-functional and external stakeholders
• Ability to operate with a high degree of ownership and autonomy, while effectively leading through influence in a cross-functional environment
• Demonstrated professional presence with the ability to represent Panera Supply Chain to senior internal stakeholders and external partners
• Highly proactive, adaptable, and results-oriented, with a strong sense of urgency and the ability to anticipate risks and drive solutions in a fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and ambiguity, maintaining focus on critical business outcomes
• Willingness to support business needs outside standard hours, including occasional evenings and weekends

Experience

• Minimum: 5-8+ years of relevant experience in supply chain, inventory management, supply planning, sourcing, or logistics within a complex, multi-unit or manufacturing environment
• Experience in packaging planning, supplier management, and/or material lifecycle management, including exposure to packaging development, transitions, or tooling is strongly preferred
• Experience supporting promotions, LTOs, or new product introductions, including planning, execution, and cross-functional coordination

Working Conditions

• Work is usually performed in an office environment with normal noise levels. Involves prolonged sitting, and computer usage.
• Work involves travel and visits to Suppliers, Distributors, and 3PL facilities (5-10% Travel).

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

• None
  

This job description is not intended, and should not be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development and compensation. As such, the incumbent may perform other duties and responsibilities as required. Its contents imply no contractual obligation and may be changed by the company at any time.

Competitive Pay $92,055 to $110,466 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.