Senior manager, roasted coffee quality and operations

Senior Manager, Roasted Coffee Quality & Operations

Now Brewing – Seeking a Coffee Quality & Operations Leader! Lead the future of Starbucks coffee quality and the talented teams who bring it to life. From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrates coffee and the rich global tradition, but that also connects people around the world. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others.

• Guide the development, harmonization, and scaling of roasted coffee quality standards, sensory protocols, and roasting best practices through the Roasting Center of Excellence
• Lead global coffee quality strategy and programs, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and Starbucks quality standards
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor on end‑to‑end coffee quality, from green coffee through roasting, sensory, and manufacturing execution
• Drive strategic global coffee initiatives by supporting quality, sensory, and operational scale‑up across manufacturing networks, ensuring successful adoption of new tools, processes, and standards
• Develop strategic and operational plans that balance long‑term priorities with day‑to‑day execution needs while minimizing risks, improving quality and operational efficiency
• Drive continuous improvement—enhancing productivity, reducing costs, and integrating state‑of‑the‑art practices across roasting. Using data, KPIs, and operational insights to guide decisions and establish clear performance expectations
• Ensure strong governance, compliance, and business continuity planning for all roasting and quality functions

• Strengthen and grow capabilities across roasting and sensory teams, empowering direct‑report and cross‑functional partners to innovate, learn, and elevate craft
• Cultivate an inclusive, high‑performance environment that encourages collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement
• Provide coaching and development support for global roasting and sensory SMEs, creating opportunities for mastery and technical leadership
• Foster connectedness across global teams by sharing context, clarifying expectations, and enabling shared problem‑solving
• Serve as relationship lead with key stakeholders and external suppliers, supporting escalations and strengthening quality outcomes
• Communicate changes in policies, practices, and priorities to ensure clarity and alignment across teams
• Build strong influence through relationships, shared goals, and a focus on enterprise success

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, engineering, quality, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, international business, or other applicable fields (ideally with food and beverage experience)
• Progressive experience leading a quality and operational team (10 years)
• Project and/or program management experience (10 years)
• Applicable coffee industry experience (5‑10 years)
• Proven ability to collaborate, influence, and drive alignment on process excellence and standards across a global organization
• Strong communication, negotiation, listening, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to operate effectively at multiple levels in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience with global food safety regulatory frameworks, including FDA Preventive Controls for Human Food and GFSI schemes (e.g., BRC or SQF)
• Passion for coffee, roasting craft, sensory evaluation, and coffee quality systems. Legacy and/or evolved q‑grader preferred.

As a Starbucks partner, you will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, paid vacation, sick time, holidays, a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, discounted company stock, Starbucks equity program, financial tools, and tuition coverage for a first‑time bachelor’s degree through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.

Starbucks Coffee Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.

Starbucks Coffee Company is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at applicant accommodation or 1(.