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 to comprehensive training and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving real change in a beloved global brand.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation and product development within fast-paced environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are looking for a senior R&D manager to join our team here at Starbucks UK. A place where you are valued, challenged, and inspired. Where your voice is brewed into everything we do. At Starbucks, we are all about you. As part of this role, you will 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 will 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 will look to you to bring your leadership experience in innovation, product development or strategy within a fast-paced FMCG, retail or hospitality environment.
We would 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 will 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.
The best part about this role is that no two days are ever the same! Working as our senior R&D manager, you will get involved in:
- Setting the strategic direction of innovation in the UK, working with UK Leadership and cross-functional teams, defining 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 managing 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 collaborating across cross-functional partners and regions.
In return, we will offer you a competitive salary and benefits that include:
- 25 days holiday a year (plus Bank Holidays)
- Up to 10% bonus scheme
- Flexible benefits
- 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 discount 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 are looking for a new opportunity, with us you will be welcomed, challenged, and inspired. Here you will be heard. Because here, you are 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.
senior R&D manager in London employer: Starbucks
Starbucks is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of the City of London where community and collaboration thrive. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and extensive training programs, employees are empowered to grow and excel in their careers while enjoying unique benefits like discounts on food and beverages. Join us to be part of a team that values operational excellence and customer satisfaction, making every day rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land senior R&D manager in London
✨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.
✨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.
We think you need these skills to ace senior R&D manager in London
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 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 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
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Starbucks, 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 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, 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.
