Strategic Project Manager - Beverage Innovation; FTC

Strategic Project Manager
- Beverage Innovation (FTC)

St Albans City Station, Station Way, St Albans AL1 5HE
, UK

Strategic Project Manager – Beverage Innovation, 13 month FTC to cover maternity

At Costa Coffee, we’re on a mission to reimagine coffee experiences across the globe. From bustling cities to local communities, we’re creating meaningful coffee moments, powered by innovation and driven by purpose.

As a proud part of the Coca‑Cola system and working hand in hand with our pioneering partners, we’re in over 50 countries and counting. Whether it's served in-store, from a machine, at home, or on the go, every cup is thoughtfully crafted by our passionate teams who put heart into every moment.

Our teams truly make a difference. Whether it’s pioneering new tech for the perfect pour, launching award‑winning campaigns, developing exciting new menu items, or supporting our people to grow – together, we stir up success.

The Strategic Project Manager – Beverage Innovation (Maternity Cover) drives our global beverage gating process and leads key strategic projects across our Beverage portfolio. You’ll partner with Beverage Innovation, Supply Chain Commercialisation, Commercial Planning and Ops Execution teams to deliver seamless, best‑in‑class campaign launches. Sitting within Strategy, this role acts as a critical connector and project lead across the full beverage innovation ecosystem.

We value curiosity, inclusivity, and a problem‑solving mindset. If you thrive in a fast‑paced, global environment and are excited to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

With inspiring experiences, development programmes, and our apprenticeship scheme, your career can grow far beyond the day‑to‑day.

Being a Strategy Project Manager – Beverage Innovation is about so much more than bringing our coffee to the world. It’s your chance to stir up real success - which means you’ll be:

• Lead end‑to‑end campaigns. Own Costa’s highest‑priority Beverage Innovation projects from Gate 0 to post‑launch resolution.
• Run stage‑gate governance. Drive the monthly gating forum and produce the consolidated view for the Innovation Steer Committee.
• Be the cross‑functional link. Connect Beverage Innovation, Costa X, Supply Chain Commercialisation, Commercial Planning and Ops Execution to keep decisions moving.
• Strengthen processes. Help evolve Product Change Management and build towards a stronger PMO capability.
• Drive clarity and momentum. Keep stakeholders aligned on timings, risks and decisions, bringing a can‑do, solutions‑focused approach.

It’s your unique ingredients we’re interested in:

• Thrives in complex, cross‑functional environments and brings proven expertise in leading large‑scale product change or commercialisation initiatives.
• Ability to work autonomously with discipline, clarity and attention to detail, staying effective and calm in ambiguity.
• Exceptional at influencing, challenging and negotiating with senior stakeholders, supported by strong analytical and financial credibility.
• Commercial + continuous‑improvement mindset. Deep understanding of what it takes to launch and grow brands, with a mindset geared toward improving processes and governance.
• Technically grounded project leader. Degree‑educated (or related experience) with expert knowledge of Stage & Gate and project management tools (Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project), plus bonus exposure to Retail, International or Coffee.

We didn’t become a global coffee brand by sitting back. When you work here, you join a community that values passion, progression, and integrity—with some brilliant perks to sweeten the deal. We work in a hybrid environment, giving us the flexibility to balance life while still spending meaningful time together and building strong connections:

• Own a piece of Costa’s success by becoming a share owner in Coca‑Cola with our Share Investment Plan (SIP)
• An annual discretionary bonus scheme, based on business results and individual contribution.
• A smart pension that saves you money on tax and national insurance, and matches your contributions up to 10%
• The Costa Financial Support Fund, supporting team…