lead product developer, Beverage R&D, Global Channel Development

Starbucks - Seattle, WA

Full-time - Mid Level

Seattle, WA

Food Services and Drinking Places

About the position

The Lead Product Developer for Beverage R&D at Starbucks is responsible for innovating and developing ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee products, focusing on the North American market. This role involves overseeing the entire product development lifecycle from ideation to launch, optimizing processes, and collaborating cross-functionally to meet business objectives while enhancing the customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Innovate, develop, optimize, and renovate RTD coffee products from idea to launch.
• Utilize insights from business, customers, and market trends to create relevant products.
• Lead and execute multiple complex projects with comprehensive project plans.
• Manage commercialization of ingredients at supplier manufacturing facilities.
• Apply technical knowledge to create product specifications that meet quality assurance and food safety requirements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to bring products to market, including innovation and renovation projects.
• Adjust project plans proactively based on customer and market changes to keep projects on track.
• Provide technical guidance to ensure projects meet defined goals and timelines.

Requirements

• BS/MS in Food Science or related fields.
• 8 years' experience in food and beverage innovation/product development.
• Strong understanding of CPG products such as dry mixes, aseptic, RTD, coffee, dairy, and non-dairy.
• Knowledge of beverage processing and human-centered design experience is a plus.
• Deep knowledge of product development and manufacturing scale-up of food and beverage products.
• Knowledge of food quality control, food safety, and microbiology.
• Experience with sensory, experimental design, statistics, and consumer research methodologies.
• Strong collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in driving innovation at scale.
• Working knowledge of human-centered design.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Paid parental leave.
• Family expansion reimbursement.
• Paid vacation from date of hire.
• Sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked.
• Eight paid holidays and two personal days per year.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Discounted company stock program (S.I.P.).
• Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock).
• Incentivized emergency savings and financial well-being tools.
• 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor's degree through Arizona State University.
• Student loan management resources and access to educational opportunities.
• Backup care and DACA reimbursement.