At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Operations Innovation team to redesign workflows and improve bar operations.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on innovation in the food and beverage industry.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, collaborate with teams, and make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on special projects and engage with various teams.
- Why this job: Shape the future of our bars while working closely with baristas and managers.
- Qualifications: Curiosity, attention to detail, and a passion for improving processes.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Add a Spark to the Ordinary… We're excited to open up an internal secondment opportunity within Operations Innovation! If you're curious about how Blank Street operates behind the scenes, enjoy finding better ways of doing things, and are interested in shaping the future of how our bars run, this could be a fantastic opportunity. You'll work closely with the Operations Innovation team to test new ideas, improve processes, and help bring innovative solutions to life, making a real impact across the business.
Your primary focus will be supporting the redesign of our Hot, Cold and Handoff sections and the back‑of‑house space, alongside broader workflow projects. You will also flex into ad‑hoc innovation projects as the calendar demands. This isn’t a desk job – you’ll spend real time in stores, with baristas and area managers, testing what works and iterating on what doesn’t. This is a Special Projects role where your time will be split between specials projects and stores.
What You’ll Own
- Bar & Workflow Design (Primary Project)
- Support the design and prototyping of the new Hot, Cold and Handoff sections, translating concepts into testable layouts, station setups, and workflow sequences for both the UK and US markets.
- Map current‑state workflows in detail (movements, touch points, dwell times) to identify friction and quantify the impact of proposed changes.
- Build and iterate on physical mock‑ups, floor plans, and in‑store pilots to validate designs before full rollout.
- Capture learnings from each iteration in a clear, shareable format, what worked, what didn’t, and why.
- Back of House Space Design (Primary Project)
- Redesign back‑of‑house storage, prep, and flow, optimising for ergonomics, restock cadence, and barista cognitive load.
- Audit existing BOH setups across stores to identify common pain points and standardisation opportunities.
- Develop BOH layout templates and storage standards that scale across new and existing stores.
- Liaise with Supply Chain, Equipment, and Store Design to ensure designs are practical, available and suitable for both UK and US markets.
- Process Improvement Support
- Assist in evaluating current front‑of‑house, back‑of‑house, and bar operations to surface inefficiencies.
- Help track operational metrics before, during, and after pilots, building a clear, data‑backed picture of impact.
- Contribute ideas to reduce waste, optimise resource use, and improve guest experience.
- Maintain the team’s knowledge base of innovation learnings, designs, and tested concepts.
- Project Coordination & Implementation
- Support the rollout of new processes and bar designs, building timelines, tracking actions, and keeping stakeholders aligned.
- Help create launch packs: SOPs, training materials, equipment specs, and workflow guides.
- Coordinate pilots in‑store, including scheduling, communications with field teams, and on‑site support during go‑live.
- Stress‑test rollouts before they hit stores by being the first to walk through them.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Ad‑hoc Projects
- Work cross‑functionally with Ops, Product, Supply Chain, People, and Digital to keep projects moving.
- Be a clear, reliable voice between HQ and the field, surfacing field feedback honestly and translating HQ intent simply.
- Take ownership of ad‑hoc innovation projects as they emerge, scoping them, running them, and reporting back.
Who We’re Looking For
- Curious & Hands‑On
- Detail‑Oriented: You notice the things others miss, the awkward reach, the duplicated step, the badly placed shelf.
- Systems Thinking: You can see how a change in one area ripples to another, and you’re hungry to develop this further.
- Operationally Grounded
- Data Comfortable: You’re confident in spreadsheets, can run a basic analysis, and use numbers to back up (or kill) an idea.
- Human‑Centric: You design with the barista in mind, their hands, their eyes, their cognitive load.
- Collaborative & Resilient
- Change‑Comfortable: Plans shift, pilots fail, priorities move. You stay productive when things are messy.
Special Projects Secondment | Internal employer: Blank Street
At Blank Street, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and innovative work culture that empowers employees to make a tangible impact. This Special Projects Secondment role offers a unique opportunity to collaborate closely with our Operations Innovation team, allowing you to engage directly with baristas and area managers while driving meaningful improvements in our stores. With a focus on employee growth and hands-on experience, you'll be part of a forward-thinking environment that values curiosity and creativity, making it an excellent place for those looking to shape the future of our operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Projects Secondment | Internal
✨Dive into Innovation Events
Get yourself noticed by attending innovation and R&D conferences in your area, like the local hackathons or industry networking events. These are great opportunities to connect with key players in the field and potentially uncover temporary roles at companies like Blank Street.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join online platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Slack channels focused on R&D and innovation. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and make your name known—this visibility could lead to temporary gigs or even recommendations from industry peers.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Create a digital portfolio that highlights your previous projects in R&D and innovation management. Include case studies or any innovative solutions you’ve developed—this will not only impress recruiters but make you stand out for temporary roles like the one at Blank Street.
✨Explore Flexible Opportunities on Our Platform
Make sure to check out temporary positions posted directly on our website. We often have fresh opportunities, so applying through us can give you an edge in landing roles that fit your skills in innovation and R&D management.
We think you need these skills to ace Special Projects Secondment | Internal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creative Side:In the world of innovation and R&D management, we want to see your creative thinking skills shining through! Make sure to include examples of how you've successfully led or contributed to innovative projects in your CV. Highlight any initiatives where your ideas helped bring a product to market or improved a process.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your adaptability in your application. Mention situations where you've had to quickly pivot or learn new skills to tackle a problem. This shows we can rely on you to hit the ground running and contribute right away.
Be Specific About Your Impact:Use quantifiable achievements to outline the impact of your work in previous roles. Talk about specific projects you've worked on in R&D, detailing how your management improved outcomes, timeframes, or innovation metrics. Numbers speak volumes and help us understand your contributions better!
Tailor Your Application for Us:When applying, make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for Blank Street. Research what ongoing projects or innovations they are working on and align your skills and experiences with those areas. It shows your interest in the company and the role, and makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blank Street
✨Show Your Creative Process
For a temporary role in innovation R&D management, it's crucial to demonstrate how you approach problem-solving and creativity. Be ready to share specific projects or ideas where you've turned a concept into a tangible solution. Think about what tools or methodologies you've used—like design thinking or Agile practices—and be prepared to discuss them!
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Innovation roles often involve the use of specific software or tools for project management and development. Make sure you're familiar with industry-standard programmes, whether that’s project management tools like Trello or Asana, or prototyping software. Brush up on these tools so you can confidently discuss how they enhance your workflow.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary position, showcasing your ability to adapt quickly is key. Be prepared to discuss examples where you’ve had to pivot or alter your approach on short notice. Employers want to know you can hit the ground running and adjust your strategies as needed.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect interviews in innovation roles to include scenario-based questions that assess how you’d handle real-life challenges. Think of hypothetical situations related to project delays or team conflicts and how you would address them. Having a couple of these in your back pocket can really demonstrate your critical thinking and leadership skills!
