Application Programming Interface (API), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Brewing, Cloud Architecture, Coaching, Communication Skills, Computer Science, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Data Analysis, Distributed Computing, Ecosystems, Enterprise Architecture, Establish Priorities, Forecasting, High Availability, Kronos Products, Kronos Workforce Scheduler, Leadership, Machine Tool, Management Strategy, Marketing, Microservices, Multiplatform/Cross-Platform, Operations Management, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Product Management, Productivity Management, Retail, Retail Operations, Software Administration, Software Development, State Ordinances, Succession Planning, System Operations, Systems Reliability, Talent Management, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Technical Leadership, Technical Operations, Technical Strategy, Vendor/Supplier Planning, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Workforce Management
Now Brewing – dir, Workforce Management & Coffeehouse Systems! #tobeapartner
From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company—one that celebrates tradition while continuously evolving how we operate and serve. Today, that evolution is powered by technology platforms that enable scale, consistency, and exceptional partner experiences.
As the dir, Workforce Management & Coffeehouse Systems, you will play a critical role in advancing our enterprise technology strategy, leading the platforms that underpin retail labor, scheduling, and in-store partner tooling. This role sits at the intersection of Partner Tech, Retail Operations, and Enterprise Data & Analytics, driving platform-based solutions that balance standardization, flexibility, and innovation at scale.
You will lead the strategy, engineering, and delivery for Workforce Management (WFM) and Digital Experience platforms, ensuring these systems operate as enterprise-grade, resilient, and extensible capabilities that unlock business outcomes—not just point solutions. These products are at the heart of shift execution and should increasingly leverage AI and intelligent automation to improve productivity, accelerate decision-making, and enhance problem solving for partners and operators.
As a Retail Operations Tools Director, you will:
Drive enterprise platform strategy and modernization
- Lead modernization efforts across core WFM platform to UKG and streamline overall ecosystem.
- Define and execute a multi-year platform strategy for Workforce Management and Retail Digital Experience aligned to enterprise architecture principles
- Transition from fragmented tools to scalable, product-centric platforms that enable reuse, integration, and speed to market
Deliver engineering excellence at scale
- Lead engineering teams to build and operate secure, highly available, API-driven platforms
- Establish standards for architecture, integration patterns, DevSecOps, and observability
- Drive improvements in system reliability, performance, and cost efficiency across mission-critical retail systems
Enable business outcomes through technology
- Translate retail and partner needs into scalable platform capabilities (labor optimization, scheduling, partner experience)
- Partner with Retail, HR, and Data teams to embed analytics-driven decisioning and AI-enabled insights into WFM and in-store tools to increase productivity and solve operational problems faster
- Ensure platforms are designed for adaptability across markets while maintaining enterprise consistency
Lead and develop high-performing teams
- Build and lead a diverse organization of engineering leaders, product-aligned teams, and platform specialists
- Create a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and talent development
- Coach leaders and teams to operate with a product mindset and enterprise ownership mentality
Influence across the enterprise
- Partner with senior leaders across Partner Tech, Retail Operations, HR, and Enterprise Data & Analytics
- Drive alignment on platform investment, prioritization, and trade-offs
- Shape vendor strategy and relationships to maximize value from strategic platforms and partners
Balance innovation with operational excellence
- Own end-to-end accountability for platform performance, availability, and delivery outcomes
- Ensure the right balance between run, optimize, and transform across critical retail systems
- Lead through complexity, making clear, data-driven decisions in a high-scale environment
We’d love to hear from people with:
- 10+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, with deep exposure to enterprise platforms
- 5+ years of people leadership, including leading leaders and building high-performing engineering organizations
Workforce Management platform expertise
- Proven experience leading or implementing enterprise WFM solutions, including:
- UKG (Kronos), Blue Yonder (JDA), Or comparable large-scale labor, scheduling, or workforce optimization platforms
- Strong understanding of labor forecasting, scheduling optimization, compliance, and retail workforce processes
Engineering and platform leadership
- Deep experience in modern architecture patterns (cloud-native, APIs, microservices, event-driven design)
- Experience leading large-scale platform modernization or transformation initiatives
- Proven ability to operate and scale mission-critical, high-availability systems
- Experience identifying and applying AI, automation, and intelligent tooling to improve productivity, streamline operations, and accelerate problem resolution in enterprise environments
Enterprise leadership and influence
- Demonstrated ability to connect technology decisions to business outcomes
- Strong executive communication and cross-functional leadership skills
- Experience operating in complex, matrixed environments with senior stakeholders
People and culture leadership
- Track record of building, coaching, and developing leaders and teams
- Ability to foster a high-performing culture grounded in accountability and growth
- Strong focus on talent development, succession planning, and organizational health
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
Why this role matters
This role is pivotal in shaping Starbucks’ transition to enterprise platform-based retail operations. By modernizing Workforce Management and Digital Experience capabilities, you will directly impact partner experience, operational efficiency, and enterprise scalability—ensuring our technology foundation can support continued growth and innovation.
Preferred Qualification
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.
S
Starbucks
Every day, we go to work hoping to do two things: share great coffee with our friends and help make the world a little better. It was true when the first Starbucks opened in 1971, and it’s just as true today.
Back then, the company was a single store in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. From just a narrow storefront, Starbucks offered some of the world’s finest fresh-roasted whole bean coffees. The name, inspired by Moby Dick, evoked the romance of the high seas and the seafaring tradition of the early coffee traders.
In 1981, Howard Schultz (Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer) had first walked into a Starbucks store. From his first cup of Sumatra, Howard was drawn into Starbucks and joined a year later.
In 1983, Howard traveled to Italy and became captivated with Italian coffee bars and the romance of the coffee experience. He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition back to the United States. A place for conversation and a sense of community. A third place between work and home. He left Starbucks for a short period of time to start his own Il Giornale coffeehouses and returned in August 1987 to purchase Starbucks with the help of local investors.
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.