Job Description

Now Brewing – director of operations, Chicago Roastery! #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.

At the Chicago Roastery, we bring those moments of connection to life through immersive coffee experiences that showcase the craft, artistry, and innovation behind Starbucks Reserve. As one of Starbucks most distinctive and premium businesses, the Chicago Roastery delivers extraordinary customer experiences while setting the standard for operational excellence.

As the Director of Operations, Chicago Roastery, you will serve as the senior leader for Starbucks largest and highest-volume location, as well as one of our most dynamic and complex retail environments. You will be responsible for leading the overall business, developing high-performing leadership teams, driving operational and financial performance, and creating an exceptional experience for both customers and partners.

Working alongside leaders across the Roastery ecosystem and broader Starbucks organization, you will help shape the future of the U.S. Roastery business while delivering results through strategic leadership, operational excellence, and partnership. The Roastery operates through an exceptionally interconnected network of teams, making collaboration, influence, and communication critical leadership capabilities. Success in this role requires the ability to lead within a highly matrixed environment, align diverse stakeholders around shared priorities, and develop leaders who effectively partner across functions to deliver outstanding business results. Through clear, consistent, and broad communication, you will ensure leaders and partners at every level remain connected to business objectives while working together to deliver extraordinary customer and partner experiences.

As a director of operations, you will…

• Lead the Chicago Roastery business – Provide strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of the Roastery, driving business performance, operational excellence, partner engagement, and exceptional customer experiences while leading one of the highest-volume and most complex retail operations in the company.

• Develop leaders, teams, and culture – Inspire, coach, and develop a team of leaders while fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence. Drive a strong partner experience by creating an environment where partners feel supported, connected, and empowered to do their best work.

• Drive execution, innovation, and immersive experiences – Lead the successful execution of strategic priorities, operational initiatives, premier customer experiences, and large-scale events that bring the Starbucks Reserve brand to life. Continuously identify opportunities to improve processes, increase efficiency, and support business growth.

• Champion the Starbucks Reserve experience and community presence – Ensure every aspect of the Roastery reflects the premium Starbucks Reserve brand by delivering memorable experiences that deepen customer connection and loyalty. Build and strengthen relationships within the local community through partnerships, events, and external engagement that further establish the Chicago Roastery as a destination and community leader.

• Build cross-functional partnerships and influence enterprise decisions – Collaborate across the company to advance business objectives while serving as the voice of the Roastery. Lead through influence in a highly matrixed environment, align stakeholders around shared priorities, and advocate for the unique needs of Roastery partners and customers.

We are looking for candidates who are:

• Passionate about developing people and building high-performing teams

• Energized by delivering exceptional customer and partner experiences

• Strategic thinkers who can translate vision into execution

• Strong operators who balance business results, operational excellence, and culture

• Collaborative leaders who build trust, drive alignment, and influence across functions

• Comfortable navigating complexity, ambiguity, and change

We’d love to hear from people with:

• Significant leadership experience leading large, complex, customer-facing operations within retail, hospitality, restaurant, or similar service-driven environments.

• A proven track record of developing high-performing leaders and teams, fostering strong cultures of accountability, engagement, inclusion, collaboration, and operational excellence.

• Strong business and financial acumen, including experience managing sales, profitability, labor, inventory, and overall business performance in high-volume environments.

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders across multiple functions and organizational levels to achieve strategic business objectives. Experience operating in a matrixed organization is required, with multi-unit leadership experience considered a plus.

• Exceptional leadership, communication, community engagement, and change management capabilities, with the ability to build partnerships, lead through influence, drive transformation, and deliver results in dynamic environments.

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 help shape the future of one of Starbucks most iconic and innovative businesses. 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, 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@starbucks.com or 1(888) 611-2258.