manager, Roasted Coffee Quality

Now Brewing – Coffee Quality Experts! #tobeapartner

From the very beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company—one that celebrates coffee and its rich traditions while fostering belonging, growth, and human connection. We’re known for cultivating extraordinary talent guided by our mission and values, and we’re looking for partners who feel the same.

As Roasted Coffee Quality Manager, you will lead and develop a high-performing team of coffee quality professionals while setting the strategic direction for roasted coffee quality systems across development, roasting, packaging, and scale up. This role blends leadership, deep technical and sensory expertise, and business acumen, partnering cross-functionally and globally to provide quality oversight for the Pilot Plant, protect flavor integrity, enable innovation, and ensure Starbucks consistently delivers safe, premium, high-quality coffee while nurturing a strong quality culture.

As a Roasted Coffee Quality Manager, you will:

Set vision and strategy for roasted coffee quality

• Establish a clear quality vision, strategic objectives, and performance targets aligned to Starbucks priorities.
• Lead large-scale roasted coffee quality initiatives across development, Pilot Plant, and manufacturing environments.
• Drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Set priorities, allocate resources, and balance quality, speed, and scalability.

Drive coffee quality systems and process

• Govern roasted coffee quality systems including evaluation, process control, analytical testing, and finished goods specifications.
• Apply scientific and statistical methods (SPC, DOE, root cause analysis) to reduce variation.
• Translate coffee data into actionable, plant-ready standards.
• Troubleshoot broad-scale quality issues using structured problem-solving.

Lead product safety and quality programs

• Develop and monitor product safety and quality programs.
• Support HACCP/PCQI and GFSI certification readiness (BRC, SQF, FSSC).
• Stay current on food safety and quality trends.
• Monitor roasted-coffee quality trends and drive consistency improvements.

Provide quality leadership for Pilot Plant and innovation

• Define and validate quality and safety requirements for Pilot Plant trials.
• Conduct sensory evaluations using Starbucks cupping protocols.
• Partner cross-functionally to embed validated controls.
• Communicate complex technical information clearly to stakeholders.

We’d love to hear from people with:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in food science, quality, operations, manufacturing, engineering, or other applicable fields (ideally with food and beverage experience).
• 8+ years of experience in food, beverage, or manufacturing quality environments, including 5–10 years of applicable coffee industry experience.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management, and talent development.
• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, PCQI, and GFSI (BRC, SQF, FSSC). Preferred PCQI certification.
• Experience with SPC, DOE, root-cause analysis, and other scientific methods.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional influencing skills.
• Highly skilled in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with ERP systems and data visualization tools; advanced skills in Tableau and Power BI.
• Passion for coffee quality and sensory science. Preferred Q Grader.

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.

*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 job-related knowledge, skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity.

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

Join us and inspire with every cup. Apply today!

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, 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, please contact applicantaccommodation@starbucks.com or 1 (888) 611‑2258.