Job Description

Now Brewing – director, Ops Engineering #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.

This role provides strategic and technical leadership across building design, material flow, warehouse automation, robotics, safety, and construction execution, ensuring facilities are designed to achieve optimal capacity, throughput, scalability, reliability, and cost performance.

As a director, ops engineering, you will…

• Leadership - Leads and develops high-performing teams by setting clear goals, fostering engagement and accountability, and implementing programs and practices that drive operational excellence and business results across the distribution network.
• Planning & Execution - Develops and executes strategic and operational plans, including annual budgets and forecasts, to support business objectives. Partners with internal and external stakeholders to drive productivity initiatives, optimize operations, and improve throughput, efficiency, and growth.
• Business Requirements - Provides expertise in warehouse design and operations by evaluating business cases, leading productivity initiatives, and developing facility layouts, process flows, capacity models, and operational simulations. Optimizes the integration of people, processes, technology, equipment, and infrastructure to improve performance and service outcomes.
• Partner Development & Team Building - Builds and develops strong teams through coaching, performance management, talent development, and effective staffing decisions. Ensures compliance with legal and operational standards while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and results-driven leadership.

We’d love to hear from people with:

· Bachelor's degree in engineering, Construction Management, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

· 12+ years of progressive experience in distribution centers, warehouse, manufacturing, logistics, industrial construction, or related environments.

· Significant experience leading large-scale distribution center design and construction projects from concept through operational launch.

· Demonstrated expertise in material handling systems, warehouse automation, robotics, and facility design.

· Strong understanding of building systems, construction processes, engineering disciplines, and applicable codes and safety standards.

· Experience managing large capital projects and multi-disciplinary teams, with responsibility for significant budgets.

· Demonstrated experience working with general contractors, architects, engineering firms, automation integrators, and technology vendors.

· Strong understanding of warehouse management and control systems and their integration with automated material handling systems.

· Proven ability to develop business cases, capital plans, ROI analyses, and executive-level presentations.

· Strong project management, financial management, negotiation, and vendor management skills.

· Excellent communication and leadership capabilities with the ability to influence operations, engineering, technology, finance, and executive teams.

· This role requires approximately 60% travel.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience with highly automated or robotics-enabled distribution centers.

· Experience implementing goods-to-person, AMR/AGV, robotic picking, automated sortation, or other advanced fulfillment technologies.

· Experience with digital modeling, simulation, digital twins, or data-driven facility optimization.

· Professional Engineering (PE), Project Management Professional (PMP), or similar certification.

· Experience leading multi-site distribution network expansion or greenfield facility programs.

· Experience in high-volume e-commerce, retail, consumer products, third-party logistics, or similarly complex fulfillment 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.

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, 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