senior R&D manager

senior R&D manager

Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Starbucks EMEA

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovation and product strategy for Starbucks UK, shaping the future of our offerings.
  • Company: Join the iconic Starbucks team where your ideas matter and creativity thrives.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible benefits, and a free bag of coffee each week!
  • Other info: Access comprehensive training and enjoy discounts on food, beverages, and more!
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving impactful change in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in innovation, product development, and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

We’re looking for a senior R&D manager to join our team here at Starbucks UK.

A place where you’re valued, challenged, and inspired.

Where your voice is brewed into everything we do.

At Starbucks, we’re all about you.

As part of this role, you’ll be responsible for leading the team that will shape and deliver the future of our product offering in the UK through insight-led innovation.

As our senior manager, you’ll define our forward-looking product strategy, identifying growth opportunities through consumer, market and data insights, and own the end-to-end innovation pipeline from concept through to launch.

We’ll look to you to bring your leadership experience in innovation, product development or strategy within a fast paced FMCG, retail or hospitality environment.

We’d love to see your strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate insights into commercial outcomes, alongside your proven end-to-end experience of innovation delivery.

As part of our senior management team you’ll have excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, collaborate and manage internal stakeholders across the UK, EMEA and global, as well as our external suppliers.

About

The best part about this role is that no two days are ever the same! Working as our senior R&D manager, you’ll get involved in:

  • Setting the strategic direction of innovation in the UK, working with UK Leadership and cross-functional teams, defines the future vision and strategic direction grounded in insight, brand priorities and growth objectives.
  • Leading the analysis of behaviour, trends and competition to identify emerging needs and translate these into opportunity spaces.
  • Owning our pipeline and roadmap, building clear strategic narratives aligned to customer needs and business goals.
  • Leading development of products and concepts, ensuring distinctiveness, feasibility and commercial viability.
  • Owning end-to-end delivery including planning, timelines, trials and successful launch execution.
  • Driving and manages suppliers as innovation partners to deliver outcomes.
  • Ensuring innovation delivers against financial goals and supports optimisation of the range.
  • Leading a high-performing team and collaborates across cross-functional partners and regions.
  • In return, we’ll offer you a competitive salary and benefits that include:
  • 25 days holiday a year (plus Bank Holidays)
  • Up to 10% bonus scheme
  • Flexible benefits – in addition to the benefits listed here we’ll also provide you with an additional 4% to allow you to select the benefits that suit you
  • Life assurance and private medical insurance for yourself
  • Comprehensive training (including coffee knowledge!) and access to Starbucks Global Academy (our online learning platform to help continuously develop yourself)
  • Free bag of coffee each week and a 30% partner discounts on food, beverages, and merchandise
  • Discounts with local and national retailers (cell phones, gym memberships, entertainment tickets, hotels, etc.) through Perks at Work platform
  • Subscription to Headspace
  • Home Sweet Loan (Interest-free loans that can be paid back over 12 months to help pay your rental deposit)
  • Bean stock options for all partners (own part of Starbucks!)
  • A free 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme available to you and your family

So, if you’re looking for a new opportunity, with us you’ll be welcomed, you’ll be challenged, you’ll be inspired.

Here you’ll be heard.

Because here, you’re a part of it all.

Here you belong.

Starbucks is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.

All applicants and partners will be treated fairly, without regard to race, religion, sex, nationality, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity and expression.

Know someone who would be a perfect fit? Share this opportunity with them! At Starbucks, there’s always room for one more

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senior R&D manager employer: Starbucks EMEA

Starbucks EMEA is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its partners in the vibrant Liverpool City Region. With a strong emphasis on team collaboration, competitive pay, and generous benefits including 28 days of holiday, we foster a supportive work culture where your leadership can truly shine. Join us to not only drive store success but also to be part of a company that values your contributions and invests in your future.

Starbucks EMEA

Contact Details:

Starbucks EMEA Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land senior R&D manager

Leverage Innovation Hubs

Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!

Showcase Your Projects

Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Starbucks EMEA.

Connect at Industry Conferences

Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.

Use Your University’s Resources

If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Starbucks EMEA.

We think you need these skills to ace senior R&D manager

Leadership Experience
Innovation Management
Product Development
Strategic Planning
Consumer Insights Analysis
Market Analysis
Commercial Acumen

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.

Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Starbucks EMEA that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.

Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Starbucks EMEA and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!

Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.

How to prepare for a job interview at Starbucks EMEA

Show Off Your Innovative Thinking

In an Innovation R&D Management role at Starbucks EMEA, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.

Familiarity with Tools and Technologies

Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Starbucks EMEA that you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Demonstrate Collaboration Skills

Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Starbucks EMEA, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.