product development assistant, Food R&D

About the role

This is an opportunity to support the team who imagines, develops, commercializes, and optimizes 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.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to Starbucks success by helping product developers with tasks and assessments needed to create and optimize food items.
• Support the Culinary and Food R&D team by handling incoming and outgoing shipments, opening boxes, and organizing samples as they arrive.
• Monitor and keep all the food R&D kitchen and labs organized and stocked as needed for project work.
• Conduct shelf-life studies from storing samples to setting up testing and reporting results to the product developers.
• Gather and report analytical data as needed for project work.
• Prepare for and support tastings, including product guidance and other sensory tests.
• Assist with presentations and product samplings for leadership as needed.

Requirements

• Associate degree or higher in Food Science, Culinary, or other related fields.
• Food and beverage preparation experience (barista experience a plus).

Skills

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Basic knowledge of math and science.
• Good organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to follow direction, seek guidance as necessary, and provide regular progress reports.
• Ability to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to deliver excellent customer service with attention to details.
• Ability to build positive and effective working relationships with other team members.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits.
• 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.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock).
• Incentivized emergency savings and financial well-being tools.
• 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.
• Backup care and DACA reimbursement.

This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative. Vacation accrual varies by state and role level.

Schedule

This role is in-office 5 days a week.