strategy principal, Channel & Throughput - Coffeehouse Futures

Starbucks Corp.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Tuition coverage via Starbucks College

Paid time off and holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle seeks a Strategy Principal, Channel & Throughput - Coffeehouse Futures to lead a portfolio advancing the physical coffeehouse, drive‑through throughput, and facilities technology.

You will partner across Coffeehouse Development, Operations, Digital, Supply Chain, Engineering, Facilities, Product, and Technology to pilot breakthrough solutions and scale innovations that improve partner experience and customer outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, Technology, Data Science or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in innovation, strategy, operations, or related disciplines.
• Experience leading large-scale innovation programs, pilots, or transformation initiatives from concept through implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the future coffeehouse innovation agenda across store formats, drive‑through, operating models, automation, and facilities technology.
• Develop a portfolio of initiatives with long‑term business impact.
• Transform customer and partner experiences through innovation across phases from definition to commercialization.
• Drive measurable business outcomes with roadmaps aligned to enterprise metrics like throughput, labor productivity, and equipment uptime.
• Build and develop a high‑performing innovation team and influence senior executives on investment priorities.

Skills

Strategy leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Innovation management

Data-driven decision making

Operations optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Engineering/Operations

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

AI & Automation tools

Analytics tools

Job description

Now Brewing – strategy principal, Channel & Throughput - Coffeehouse Futures! #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.

As strategy principal, Channel & Throughput - Coffeehouse Futures, you will help shape the future of the Starbucks coffeehouse. Reporting within the Coffeehouse Futures organization, you will lead a portfolio of innovation initiatives focused on transforming the physical coffeehouse, drive‑through experience, operating model, automation capabilities, and facilities technology. You will partner across Coffeehouse Development, Operations, Digital, Supply Chain, Engineering, Facilities, and Product teams to identify emerging opportunities, pilot breakthrough solutions, and scale innovations that improve partner experience, operational performance, and customer outcomes.

This leader will drive a team accountable for developing the next generation of Starbucks formats, acceleration drive‑through throughput, improving labor efficiency through AI and automation, reducing reactive facilities work, and helping create the coffeehouse experience of the future.

As a strategy principal, Channel & Throughput - Coffeehouse Futures, you will…

• Lead the future coffeehouse innovation agenda – Build and execute innovation strategies that support Coffeehouse Futures priorities across store formats, drive‑through, operating models, automation, and facilities technology. Develop a portfolio of initiatives that balance long‑term business impact.
• Transform customer and partner experiences through innovation – Identify opportunities to improve customer connection, throughput, labor efficiency, and coffeehouse operations. Lead projects through the phases of definition, experimentation, pilot design, testing, and commercialization of future‑facing solutions.
• Drive measurable business outcomes – Establish innovation roadmaps aligned to key enterprise metrics including peak customers served, drive‑through speed and throughput, labor productivity, store capacity, equipment uptime, reactive maintenance reduction, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Lead cross‑functional strategy and execution – Partner with senior leaders across Retail Operations, Coffeehouse Development, Digital, Supply Chain, Facilities, Engineering, Product, and Technology teams to move concepts from vision to implementation and scale.
• Build and develop a high‑performing innovation team – Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team responsible for Formats Innovation, Drive‑Thru Innovation, Operating Model Innovation, and AI & Automation, and Facilities Technology programs. Foster a culture of experimentation, learning, collaboration, and accountability.
• Influence enterprise decisions and investment priorities – Provide thought leadership and data‑driven recommendations to senior executives regarding future coffeehouse concepts, innovation investments, pilot learnings, scalability assessments, and strategi opportunities.
• Turn ideas into operational reality – Ensure innovations are designed with operational feasibility, partner adoption, change management, and long‑term scalability in mid to deliver sustained business value.

We’d love to hear from people with:

• Bachelor's degree and advanced degree a plus in Business, Engineering, Operations, Technology, Data Science or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in innovation, strategy, operations, manufacturing, engineering, retail transformation, or related disciplines.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, including leading managers and cross‑functional teams.
• 5+ years of experience leading large‑scale innovation programs, pilots, or transformation initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Experience driving cross‑functional partnerships through executive influence in Operations, Technology, Supply Chain, Facilities, Product, and/or Store Development organizations.
• Experience developing business cases, managing investment portfolios, and communicating recommendations to senior executives.
• Proven success piloting and scaling solutions in production systems. In restaurants, or other multi‑unit operating networks a plus.
• Drive‑thru experience 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.

Join us and inspire with every cup.

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 [e-mail] or 1(888) 611-2258.