Key Job Dimensions & Scope of Role

This role supports the EMEA region and is as an individual contributor. However, interaction with various cross-functional teams within Starbucks EMEA is required (as well as with Global and other regional teams). Ad hoc travel will be required to suppliers and manufacturers of products made for Starbucks; this will mainly be EU based. Direction, workload planning and coaching of product developers will be required to manage the beverage development process. Maybe required to deputise for R&D director from time to time. 

There is no budgetary responsibility other than commercial understanding relating to the product development process. There, will be an allocated amount for travel and sundries and the partner must keep within the guidelines for the purposes of travel and expenditure. Generally, the role will be carried out within normal working hours Monday, however on occasion it may be necessary to work outside of these hours.

It is expected that the post-holder will make decisions commensurate with their experience and knowledge. However, for decisions that carry significant financial or brand impact, these would be escalated to the line manager.

Summary of Key Responsibilities:        
                
Innovation: Proactively gathers, analyses and maintains product and technology trend information and supports idea generation sessions to initiate creation of new beverage concepts and products (white space development) to support the R&D plan

Project Management: 

• Responds to & interprets creative briefs provided by category to develop new beverage concepts and products to support EMEA calendar pipeline, beverage strategy. 
• Identifies project requirements and prepares project plans required for approval, prioritisation and allocation of resources. Identifies key technical hurdles and deliverables to ensure success 
• Organises and directs work activities. Develops development work plans and cross functional timelines in conjunction with wider R&D & category teams. Manages the development project information flow and updates cross-functional team, management and senior management where necessary
• Prepares commercialisation summaries and project reports. Consults on development of training materials with operations. Transitions the project to SCO and supplier Quality Assurance ready for full scale-up for launch. Supports on-going technical improvements up to and including launch.

Product Development: 
Lead the design and bench top experiments and testing of all new beverage development, including: -

• Product prototypes
• Initial Product Yields 
• Product BOM’s and recipe cards 
• In-market testing to develop operational procedures (in conjunction with Ops services)

Supplier Management: 

• Identifies and briefs potential suppliers (in consultation with supply chain) and manages their development in line with category briefs and blue-sky innovation.
• Develops and maintains key industry relationships. 
• Requests and maintains preliminary specifications, sample tracking and sample feedback for products and ingredients in development
• Manage calendar of innovation days with key strategic suppliers. 

Documentation: 

• Maintains projects files associated with all new beverage development and documents any intellectual property for all new development projects 
• Maintains up to date product builds, BOMs and documentation relating to R&D 

Communication: 

• Establishes and documents key project information to ensure progress to commercialisation and implementation consistent with project timelines. 
• Manages the project information flow and updates cross-functional team, management and senior management where necessary.

Projects:

• Leads the product development responsibilities for any business initiatives for beverage projects 
• Communicates with cross function on project progress 
• Affectively transitions projects through from product development phase into handover to next function in the process  

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Educated to at least degree level (or equivalent) in a food science or related subject
• Experience in either food/beverage retail or manufacturing. This experience should include, product development, Innovation and/or menu development. With knowledge of process and specification development. 
• Able to work in a fast-moving environment, either on their own or cross-functionally
• Excellent project management, communication and organisational skills