senior R&D manager

We’re looking for a senior R&D manager to join our team here at Starbucks UK. A place where you’re valued, challenged, and inspired. Where your voice is brewed into everything we do. At Starbucks, we’re all about you.

As part of this role, you’ll be responsible for leading the team that will shape and deliver the future of our product offering in the UK through insight-led innovation. As our senior manager, you’ll define our forward-looking product strategy, identifying growth opportunities through consumer, market and data insights, and own the end-to-end innovation pipeline from concept through to launch.

We’ll look to you to bring your leadership experience in innovation, product development or strategy within a fast paced FMCG, retail or hospitality environment. We’d love to see your strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate insights into commercial outcomes, alongside your proven end-to-end experience of innovation delivery. As part of our senior management team you’ll have excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, collaborate and manage internal stakeholders across the UK, EMEA and global, as well as our external suppliers.

The best part about this role is that no two days are ever the same! Working as our senior R&D manager, you’ll get involved in:

Setting the strategic direction of innovation in the UK, working with UK Leadership and cross-functional teams, defines the future vision and strategic direction grounded in insight, brand priorities and growth objectives.

Leading the analysis of behaviour, trends and competition to identify emerging needs and translate these into opportunity spaces.

Owning our pipeline and roadmap, building clear strategic narratives aligned to customer needs and business goals.

Leading development of products and concepts, ensuring distinctiveness, feasibility and commercial viability.

Owning end-to-end delivery including planning, timelines, trials and successful launch execution.

Driving and manages suppliers as innovation partners to deliver outcomes.

Ensuring innovation delivers against financial goals and supports optimisation of the range.

Leading a high-performing team and collaborates across cross-functional partners and regions.

In return, we’ll offer you a competitive salary and benefits that include:

25 days holiday a year (plus Bank Holidays)

Up to 10% bonus scheme

Flexible benefits – in addition to the benefits listed here we’ll also provide you with an additional 4% to allow you to select the benefits that suit you

Life assurance and private medical insurance for yourself

Comprehensive training (including coffee knowledge!) and access to Starbucks Global Academy (our online learning platform to help continuously develop yourself)

Free bag of coffee each week and a 30% partner discounts on food, beverages, and merchandise

Discounts with local and national retailers (cell phones, gym memberships, entertainment tickets, hotels, etc.) through Perks at Work platform

Subscription to Headspace

Home Sweet Loan (Interest-free loans that can be paid back over 12 months to help pay your rental deposit)

Bean stock options for all partners (own part of Starbucks!)

A free 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme available to you and your family

So, if you’re looking for a new opportunity, with us you’ll be welcomed, you’ll be challenged, you’ll be inspired. Here you’ll be heard. Because here, you’re a part of it all. Here you belong.

Starbucks is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. All applicants and partners will be treated fairly, without regard to race, religion, sex, nationality, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity and expression.

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