Operations Planning Associate Manager

The Operations Planning Associate Manager is responsible for providing project support and coordination to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Operations leadership. This role supports key initiatives to ensure excellence in executive planning, organization administration, leadership team coordination, talent review processes, and special projects. The Associate Manager serves as a key partner in supporting Operations Leadership and ensuring effective communication, planning, and execution of strategic priorities.

This role serves as a trusted partner to the COO and Operations leadership, helping them drive organizational effectiveness through planning, leadership coordination, talent process administration, and project execution.

• Provides administrative support to the COO, including calendar management, travel coordination, meeting planning, and logistics for store visits. Oversees the planning and coordination of store visits for the COO, encompassing travel logistics, itineraries, scheduling, visit objectives, follow-up activities, and the facilitation of store visits.
• Provides meeting support, including presentation preparation, meeting note taking, and follow up on key business alignment and objectives from the meetings. Contributes to the planning and logistics for Operations leadership meetings, including publishing, tracking, and updating meeting calendars throughout the year.
• Coordinates leadership talent planning activities, including candidate tracking, promotion processes, interview coordination, and visit logistics.
• Tracks processes for Area Coach of Operations (ACO) and Regional Director of Operations (RDO) promotion candidates. Oversees and administers ACO and RDO promotion interviews involving the COO and senior leaders, including scheduling, communications, materials preparation, and follow-up.
• Provides project management and executive support for Operations initiatives and ad hoc special projects, including presentations, communications, and cross-functional coordination, to ensure successful execution of Operations initiatives and leadership priorities,

• Hybrid Work schedule
• 401K with company match
• Yearly bonus opportunity*
• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance *
• On-site fitness center, biometric screen, and flu shot clinic
• Discounts at Panda restaurants, theme parks, and gym memberships
• Paid time off starting at 15 days with 7 federal holidays*
• Continuous education assistance and scholarships*
• Income protection including Disability, Life and AD&D insurance*
• Bereavement leave*

* Benefits available for eligible permanent full time associates

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum five years of experience in Operations, Operational excellence, or process improvement in a multi‑unit restaurant operations, retail/hospitality or similar high‑volume, Operations‑driven environment, with experience in standards, process improvement or operational initiatives
• Successful completion of initial and periodically required trainings.
• Obtaining a valid Food Handler's Card within 30 days of employment is a requirement of this position.

Pay Range: P3: $90,000 - $126,500 / Annual

* Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience.

Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family‑owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,800 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it's impacting our team or the communities we work in, we're proud to…