manager, Technology Solutions, Starbucks Technology - Seattle, WA - Full-time

Job Summary and Mission 

Now Brewing – Manager, Technology Solutions – Store Development! #tobeapartner

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and its rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. These connections began in the warm, welcoming environment of our Starbucks stores. Within Starbucks, the Store Development Organization is responsible for Real Estate, Design, Construction and Maintenance for all store locations.  

This position contributes to Starbucks success by leading the definition, deployment, and support of technology solutions in support of Global Store Development.   As a manager, Store Development technology solutions you are ultimately accountable for the success of  the technology products and services delivered by your team.  Working collaboratively with other functions, this role is responsible for crafting the strategic technology vision and roadmap guiding the selection and definition of solutions enabling key business capabilities aligned with strategic business objectives.   Whether an enterprise-wide system or a more targeted application, effective solution management requires leadership through a strong customer service orientation and continuous improvement mindset to continually deliver enhanced capabilities elevating the user experience.   The ability to lead, influence, and partner effectively with others is critical to success in this role.  The manager, global technology solutions passionately fosters team member development in the context of a high-performing team consistently delivering business value and exceptional customer service.  

Models and acts in accordance with Starbucks guiding principles.

Summary of Key Responsibilities 

Responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following: 

Leadership – Establishes goals for the work group, develops organizational capability, and models how we work together: 

• Innovation – Foster a culture of innovation and thought leadership.  Cultivate innovative concepts and provide opportunities to transform ideas into technology solutions.
• Industry Knowledge – Remain informed of relevant  technology, business, and functional trends enabling strong contributions to the strategic planning process.  
• Strategy & Roadmap – Accountable for strategy and capability roadmap (translating capabilities into technology solutions) for area of responsibility
• Solutions Approach – During project definition/initiation, accountable for defining high-level, shared vision/approach. Thoughtfully coordinate the deployment of technology solutions to ensure an exceptional end-user experience
• Communication - Communicates effectively with positive impact.  Listens attentively, processes, and takes appropriate action.  Facilitates the discussion of conflicting issues between individuals and across groups.  Expresses ideas clearly in documents and written communications.  Plans communication that is clear in purpose, and key messages while considering audience needs.

Solution Delivery/Support - Develops strategic and operational plans for the work group, manages execution, and measures results: 

• Business Partnership – Advocates and aligns business objectives  with technology strategies to deliver solutions enabling strategic business initiatives and delivering operational efficiencies.
• Product/Service Management – Responsible for management of application configuration and services enabling required business capabilities.  Develops and maintains personal and team expertise for respective technology solutions, business functions, and processes.  Acts as focal point for the solutions and provides platform point of view for cross-cutting work, issues and decisions.  
• User Experience – Passionately focused on the seamless deployment of technology solutions delivering an exceptionally engaging and efficient user experience.  
• Technology Leadership – Coordinates effective platform management across peer technology functions - solution architecture, application development/engineering, quality assurance.  Understands and coordinates potential dependencies across solution design, development, testing, deployment, support, and maintenance activities.
• Solution Support/Sustainment – Partners with relevant support functions to establish holistic 7*24support model optimizing partner talent with offshore support options.  Performs root cause analysis of issues and assess trends to identify required future investments.
• Vendor Relationships – Builds strong vendor relationships to influence product roadmaps while managing contractual arrangements and  service-level agreement compliance. 
• Project Investments/Initiation – In partnership with the PMO,  align on technology roadmap and portfolio priorities.  Collaboatively establish project scope, budget, supporting business case, and resource requirements..  

Partner Development & Team Building – Our partners are key to our success:  engage continuously to attract and developtalent with business acumen, technical expertise, and thought leadership.  Responsible for recruitment and selection through talent career management:  

• Performance Management – Accountable for the productivity, work quality, collaboration, and positive, engaging behavior of team members.  Provides partners with coaching, feedback, and developmental opportunities supporting career development and formation of effective teams.  Ability to manage teams comprised of functional, technical, and/or analytical professionals at a variety of levels.
• Talent Planning – Plans future talent requirements to support technology strategy and delivery roadmaps.  Identifies required  skills and determines approach to address gaps via partner development and/or incremental talent acquisition.
• Resource Planning – Fully understands and plans for required resources across solution support and delivery efforts.  Ensures required resource capacity and skill coverage through internal and timely external staff augmentation as appropriate.   

 

Summary of Experience

• Diverse Technology experience in the integrated Workplace management systems space (10+ years) – Real estate development technology platforms or any large ERP experience.
• IBM Tririga experience is preferred, not required.
• Diverse experience in understanding An integrated workplace management system (IWMS) as a software platform to optimize the use of workplace resources, including the management of a company's real estate portfolio, Project Management, Facilities Management.
• iWMS systems & technology, championing and leading multiple complex initiatives and deployments, preferably in a Global footprint (10+ years) 
• Progressive experience in systems design, testing and implementation within a large, global organization (10+ years) 
• Working in the functional business area (10+ years)
• Analytical and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment (10+ years)
• Team and project management experience, including the ability to build, lead and work with cross-functional teams (10+ years) 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong knowledge and demonstrated application of all facets of systems development lifecycle and technology operations.
• Collaboratively and objectively assesses benefits, costs, and viability of proposed solution options and drives alignment across a diverse group of stakeholders. 
• Understanding of iWMS principles from a Store Development Retail point of view 
• Understanding of integrations between Transaction Systems (Oracle eBS, Tririga etc) and Data Analytics Platform.
• Leadership in the utilization of user-centric design concepts in conjunction with agile prototyping, development, and testing to deploy highly engaging technology solutions to the end user.  
• Strong experience in application configuration management.  
• Working knowledge of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) design and service management practices.
• Working knowledge of Agile SCRUM solution design/development methodology and practices.
• Ability to apply knowledge of multidisciplinary business principles and practices to achieve successful outcomes in cross-functional initiatives and activities.
• Ability to leverage business knowledge, sound judgment, and resourcefulness to determine appropriate course of action in challenging, ambiguous situations.
• Strong written and verbal communicationskills.  Ability to engage with and present ideas to senior leadership.Provides key input to facilitate decision-making process. 

Job Scope

Number of direct reports 5-10

Annual budget for area of responsibility 

• Expense  $1MM - $5MM
• Capital Investment $$1MM - $10MM

Size/Scope of solutions deployed/supported

• Geographic Reach:  Single-region, multi-region, and/or global enterprise solutions
• User Base:  10 – 10,000+ users 
• Functional Scope:  Single-function point solutions and/or broad cross-functional solutions
• Integration Complexity:  Standalone solutions and/or highly integrated solutions 5 – 10

Core Competencies 

Puts the Customer First:  Has a relentless focus on the customer.  Understands what the customer wants and how to best deliver the experience.  

Works Well with Others:  Listens and communicates well with others within and outside of Starbucks. Creates a team environment that is positive and productive. 

Leads Courageously: Takes personal responsibility to do the right thing, and persists in times of challenge or uncertainty. Adapts quickly to change and makes timely, thoughtful decisions.

Develops Continuously:  Continuously seek opportunities to improve self and others. Leads with trust, honesty and commitment to hire, coach and develop partners to achieve their potential.

Achieves Results:  Understands what drives overall business success and is accountable to prioritize and deliver quality results. Demonstrates knowledge of core products and processes to get results. Anticipates obstacles and takes action to prevent or minimize their impact.

All Starbucks Job Descriptions are confidential and proprietary, and are to be handled in accordance with the Starbucks Standards of Business Conduct. Accordingly, job descriptions cannot be shared with individuals outside of the company without the written permission of the director Compensation, Starbucks Coffee Company.