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- Tasks: Lead innovation in coffee products and enhance quality for a global brand.
- Company: Join Costa Coffee, a part of Coca-Cola, reimagining coffee experiences worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like share ownership, discounts, private healthcare, and a smart pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on coffee culture while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Bring your coffee expertise, creativity, and project management skills to the table.
- Other info: This is a hybrid role, with 3 days a week in Basildon.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
At Costa Coffee, we are what we craft. We’re reimagining coffee experiences in over 50 countries and counting, as a key part of the Coca-Cola System. Whether you get your coffee in a store, from a machine, at home, or on the go – we’ve got you covered.
In this role, you will help shape our future coffee range by driving innovation, enhancing quality, and bringing bold new ideas to life. Our teams make a difference. Whether that’s working on new tech for the perfect pour, helping our teams grow, creating award-winning campaigns, crunching the numbers, or developing the latest exciting menu item; together, we stir up success. We may be a global brand, but we haven’t forgotten our roots. That’s where the Costa Foundation and our fantastic community agenda come in. Whatever your role, you can help us change lives in coffee growing communities, and help your local community too. We also want to help you grow in your career through amazing experiences, our apprenticeship scheme, and development programmes. At Costa, you can go beyond the day-to-day.
And as a R&D Manager, Coffee, there’s never been a better time to join. So, why Costa? We didn’t become a global coffee brand by sitting back. When you work here, you join a community that values passion, progression and integrity, with some pretty brilliant perks to sweeten the deal:
- Own a piece of Costa’s success by becoming a share owner in Coca-Cola with our Share Investment Plan (SIP)
- Annual discretionary bonus scheme, based on business results and individual contribution
- A smart pension that saves you money on tax and national insurance, and matches your contributions up to 10%
- The Costa Financial Support Fund, supporting team members who find themselves in unexpected financial pressure with grants
- 50% discount in all Costa-owned stores, and 25% off in other participating stores
- Private medical cover thanks to our Private Healthcare scheme
We’re passionate about being a great place to work, where you can bring your unique self into our mix. We firmly support diversity, equity and inclusion, and continue to work with our teams to shape the future of our culture and values: Disciplined to Deliver, Passion for Progress, Win with Warmth, Courage to Challenge and Trusted Team Players.
What you’ll do: Being a R&D Manager is about so much more than bringing our coffee to the world. It’s your chance to stir up real success – which means you’ll be:
- Supporting the development of new coffee products for global retail and FMCG channels
- Enhancing and optimising our existing coffee range to stay ahead of the curve
- Collaborating with suppliers and partners to ensure quality and innovation
- Driving cost-effective production improvements without compromising standards
- Mentoring teams and sharing your expertise to build a world-class coffee culture
Who you are: It’s your unique ingredients we’re interested in:
- A coffee expert with deep knowledge of origin, roasting, sensory evaluation and brewing
- A creative thinker with a flair for product innovation in an FMCG setting
- A skilled communicator and collaborator who thrives in a global environment
- A project driver with experience launching products from concept to shelf
- A passionate ambassador for great coffee and continuous improvement
This role is a hybrid role (3 days a week in Basildon).
R&D Manager Coffee employer: Costa Coffee
Contact Detail:
Costa Coffee Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Manager Coffee
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Costa Coffee's current product range and recent innovations. Understanding their offerings will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the coffee industry, especially those who have experience in R&D roles. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past projects that demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and enhance product quality. Highlighting measurable outcomes will showcase your impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your passion for coffee by staying updated on industry trends and consumer preferences. Being able to discuss these topics will not only impress your interviewers but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Manager Coffee
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and required skills for the R&D Manager position at Costa Coffee. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Showcase Your Expertise: Emphasise your knowledge of coffee, including origin, roasting, sensory evaluation, and brewing techniques. Provide specific examples of how you've applied this expertise in previous roles, particularly in product innovation within an FMCG context.
Highlight Collaboration Skills: Since the role involves working with suppliers and partners, illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively in a global environment. Mention any relevant experiences where you successfully led projects or worked in teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only expresses your passion for coffee but also outlines your vision for driving innovation at Costa Coffee. Make sure to connect your personal values with the company's culture and mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at Costa Coffee
✨Show Your Passion for Coffee
As an R&D Manager at Costa Coffee, your love for coffee should shine through. Be prepared to discuss your favourite coffee origins, brewing methods, and any innovative ideas you have for new products. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the brand.
✨Highlight Your Innovation Skills
Costa is looking for a creative thinker who can drive product innovation. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've successfully launched new products or improved existing ones. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them to showcase your problem-solving abilities.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Experience
In this role, you'll be working with various teams and suppliers. Share specific instances where you've collaborated effectively in a global environment. Highlight your communication skills and how you foster teamwork to achieve common goals.
✨Prepare Questions About Company Culture
Costa values diversity, equity, and inclusion, so it's important to show that you align with their culture. Prepare thoughtful questions about their community initiatives and how they support employee growth. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in being part of their mission.
