At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate our beverage program, ensuring top-notch quality and sustainability.
- Company: Join Blank Street, a rapidly growing food & beverage brand shaping the future of coffee and matcha.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, equity package, private health insurance, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Dynamic culture with regular team events and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in delivering extraordinary beverage experiences for the next generation.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in coffee/tea industry with strong product sourcing and quality control experience.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Blank Street is on a mission to become the defining food & beverage brand of our generation. At 100+ locations, we’ve built one of the fastest-growing consumer brands in the US and UK, and are quickly becoming the go-to spot for the next generation of coffee and matcha drinkers. With a large global roadmap ahead, we’re shaping the future through elevated beverages, thoughtful store designs, and hospitality-driven experiences.
As our UK Beverage Program Manager, you will oversee our core beverage program for the UK market, ensuring that core ingredients (coffee, tea, dairy, alt milks, water, etc.) meet quality standards, are operationally viable, and remain sustainable. You will serve as the subject matter expert on all things beverage quality, and be the guardian of Blank Street’s commitment to consistently serving the highest quality beverages no matter where or how we scale.
As both a strategic steward and a guide, you will ensure today’s beverages are delivered consistently and that the program’s standards are set, scaled, and future-proofed. Protect the beverage culture, connect global and local needs, and ensure our core product thrives.
What You’ll Own
- Product Stewardship: Defining & Protecting our standards. This role is accountable for ensuring we consistently meet the highest bar of product quality across our store footprint. This includes:
- Defining and measuring Product Mastery standards (e.g., espresso recipes and store routines, matcha storage guidelines)
- Building and monitoring infrastructure for keeping us aware of health in the field (e.g., GM product tasting routines and reporting accountabilities, tracking telemetry details)
- QC/QA: Stepping into stores or regions where standards are off-track and partnering closely with our roasting partner and matcha vendors (e.g. cuppings, blend quality)
- Product Quality Innovation: Pushing our beverage program forward. This is the creative engine of the role. It’s about identifying product gaps and creating innovative solutions that elevate quality and experience. And, presenting these to the Global Product Director and founding team. This includes:
- Leading innovation for our classics menu (e.g., water filtration, blend component optimization, core product premiumization)
- Defining experience-led ideas (e.g. hand-whisking, manual espresso service)
- Leading operational improvement projects from concept to launch (e.g. matcha batching improvements)
- Sitting on Innovation committee to serve as the voice for product quality in the UK
- Staying close to the next frontier and bringing in external inspiration (travel, fairs, other industries)
- Product Education: Building product masters at scale. Build, scale, and deliver beverage knowledge to our operations and training teams. This comes to life through:
- Structured monthly training sessions
- Ongoing coaching and capability building
- Creating cultural moments that champion product (e.g. tastings, rituals, office engagement)
- Playing an active role in new menu rollouts, immersions, and field training
Who We’re Looking For
- Clear passion and an encyclopaedic knowledge of coffee and/or tea
- 10-15+ years of experience in the coffee and/or tea industry (across cafe and HQ settings) with at least 2-3 years focusing on core product sourcing and QC/QA
- Interest and experience in building out teams (good selector of talent, good coach)
- Ability to balance multiple priorities independently (keep timeline, stay on track)
- Refined, yet adaptable palate (can taste intricate differences between different blends of coffee and tea) with a keen ability to define and maintain qualitative product specs
- Willingness to learn even more (if your background is in coffee, you should want to also become a matcha expert; if your background is in matcha, then vice versa)
Benefits
- Equity package
- Private health and dental insurance
- 25 days of annual leave (on top of bank holidays), along with an additional paid day a year ‘to start something extraordinary’ and pursue a passion
- A salary sacrifice scheme to spend on Cycle to Work, bike subscriptions, pensions and medical
- Access to 1Rebel off-peak classes at the sites near our office, for free!
- Exclusive access to our coveted Regulars programme – yes, that means free coffee, matcha and more!
- Great culture with regular team events
UK Beverage Program Manager in London employer: Blank Street, Inc.
At Blank Street, Inc., we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the growth and well-being of our employees. Based in the vibrant city of London, we offer a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation, alongside opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Our commitment to enhancing the employee experience ensures that you will be part of a supportive team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in our UK stores.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Beverage Program Manager in London
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We think you need these skills to ace UK Beverage Program Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Blank Street, Inc., make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Blank Street, Inc..
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Blank Street, Inc.. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Blank Street, Inc.. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blank Street, Inc.
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Blank Street, Inc.’s mission.
