Job Posting
: Dec 6, 2021
Job Posting End Date
: Jan 6, 2022
Location
: US-WA-Seattle-Starbucks Support Center
Starbucks - Product Development
As a senior product developer on the Product & Innovation Bakery & Prepared team, you will work closely with our experienced team of chefs and developers in the Starbucks R&D Kitchen. With a passion for creating distinct and memorable food experiences for our customers you will develop new and/or renovate existing products to deliver premium quality products. This role is key to the Starbucks innovation process.
Key to this role: Experience in leading all stages of consumer centric product development from concept creation to prototyping to full scale manufacturing; ability to identify and define gaps & vendor capabilities. Work closely with cross functional team to develop new products and being accountable for elevating product quality. Being extremely comfortable with ambiguity and moving quickly to learn fast.
Leveraging your previous experience, we will enable you to:
- Be responsible for leading strategic and consumer driven projects in support of the Business Initiatives.
- Design and execute all stages of consumer centric product development- benchtop prototypes, customer testing, conducting pilot plant trials and formula commissioning at full-scale manufacturing
- Analyze existing company and competitor products, ingredients and processes and where necessary, revise to ensure superiority of existing company products.
- Design & conduct experiments to capitalize on novel ingredients for cost savings and improved performance, troubleshoot existing formulas to optimize production performance.
- Create, review and document raw ingredients specification and final product specifications to consistently deliver quality products.
- The role works closely with vendors, brand managers, quality and supply chain partners to identify opportunities and bring product concepts to life. The ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to problem solve effectively will be an essential skill.
- The individual will need to be self-motivated, team oriented, enjoy a fast-paced environment and capable of bringing creative approaches to the resolution of varied challenges.
- Should have a passion for food and insight into global industry and food trends to deliver customer driven market leading innovation.
- Attend relevant trade shows to remain current on latest trends and technologies.
We’d love to hear from people with:
Post-secondary education in Food Sciences or related field
Minimum of 5+ years’ experience in food product development – front end innovation integrated with go to market commercialization experience
A passion for great food, an excellent palette and a creative edge
Experience working in a food production plant environment
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize projects and tasks to meet timelines
Excellent oral and written communication skills, presentation skills, interpersonal skills and relationship management
Proactive, self-driven, results oriented, demonstrating passion and strong teamwork spirit
Demonstrated research skills, curiosity and creative / innovative approaches to assess problems and solutions and collaborative thinking.
Willingness to travel (average 25%+)