product developer - Food

Starbucks; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Starbucks is seeking a Product Developer - Food to imagine, develop, commercialize, and optimize food offerings across platforms, aligning with strategy and cost targets. You will lead multiple projects, translate insights into scalable concepts, and collaborate across functions to deliver on-time, high-quality products.

The role requires a degree in Food Science or related field, 2+ years in food and beverage development, and a track record of moving products from bench to market.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts or related field.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in food and beverage innovation/product development.
• Strong knowledge and experience in product development and manufacturing of food.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects across various food platforms, ensuring briefs deliver to strategy.
• Utilize insights to optimize products aligned with broader goals.
• Drive cost savings and supply chain resilience through ingredient/formulation knowledge.
• Write plant trial protocols and product specifications with guidance.
• Provide options to advance projects with reduced risk and faster time to market.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver projects on time and with excellence.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

Food product development

Job description

Now Brewing – Product Developer – Food! #tobeapartner

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others.

This is an opportunity to imagine, develop, commercialize, and optimize food at Starbucks. In R&D, we aspire to be the indisputable leader in breakthrough innovation. Our mission is to create food and beverage experiences that nurture love, connection, and inspiration for people every day. Come join our team and help create amazing foods that will surprise and delight our customers and make our baristas proud to serve them!

As a Product Developer - Food, you will…

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously with some guidance, across various food platforms, ensuring that briefs deliver to the strategy and that concepts created meet the briefs.


• Utilize business and customer insights to optimize products in a way that ties to broader strategy and company goals


• Utilize your knowledge of ingredient functionality, formulations and food processes to drive cost savings initiatives and build supply chain resiliency across all food platforms


• Apply your technical knowledge and project learnings to write plant trial protocol and ingredient and product specifications, seeking guidance when needed.


• Provide options and recommendations to successfully drive projects forward, with reduced risks and speed to market.


• Collaborate cross-functionally to bring projects to fruition on time and with excellence.

We’d Love To Hear From People With

• A degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts or other related field


• Minimum 2 years’ experience in food and beverage innovation/product development, bench-top to full scale commercialization and process improvement or development


• Strong knowledge and experience in product development and manufacturing of food.


• Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills


• Culinary and human centered design experience or training a plus.

As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits. Partners have access to short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire*, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year. Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well‑being tools. Additionally, Starbucks offers 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first‑time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, student loan management resources, and access to other educational opportunities. You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement. Starbucks will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and in accordance with its plans and policies. This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative. For additional information regarding partner perks and more detailed information about benefits, go to starbucksbenefits.com.

• If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above. For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At Starbucks, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

We believe we do our best work when we're together, which is why we're onsite four days a week.

Starbucks Coffee Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.

Starbucks Coffee Company is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at applicantaccommodation or 1(888) 611-2258.