Lukas Schmid has been promoted to vice president of production at Panera Bread Co. In his new role, he will be responsible for the company’s 18 fresh dough factories and the safety and well-being of its more than 1,400 employees.

Mr. Schmid has been with Panera Bread since May 2017, most recently as vice president of supply chain analytics and finance since September 2020. He previously served as plant manager and director of finance at the company. Prior to Panera Bread, he was a financial manager of America at Michelman. He also served as director of finance, aftermarket division at Milacron, senior business analyst at M. Bohlke Veneer Corp. and senior accountant at Deloitte & Touche.

“With this move, I am leaving finance, putting my steel-toed shoes, hairnet and bump cap back on and re-entering the world of operations,” said Mr. Schmid in a LinkedIn message dated May 26. “I am incredibly humbled and grateful for this great opportunity and the trust our leaders have placed in me. While I am absolutely terrified of what lies ahead, I know that I can rely on a great team of FDF leaders with great ideas and years of experience. Together, we will work closely with our friends in the retail, franchise, bakery, supply chain, culinary and all over the One Panera to provide our guests with what they have come to expect: the highest quality bread and bagels and fresh produce, delivered daily