Senior Research & Development Manager - Starbucks - UAE

Role Profile

The Senior R&D Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end development of innovative food and beverage products that support Starbucks strategic objectives.

The role drives product innovation from concept through launch, ensuring all products meet brand standards, consumer expectations, manufacturing capabilities, quality requirements, and profitability targets.

Working cross-functionally with Category team , Host brand R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality Assurance and suppliers, the Senior R&D Manager oversees the complete product development lifecycle, including recipe development, menu engineering, packaging and process optimization.

The role continuously monitors consumer insights, market trends and competitor activity to identify innovation opportunities, improve existing products, and deliver commercially successful product pipelines.

The Senior R&D Manager also ensures compliance with food safety regulations, quality management systems, and operational standards while driving continuous improvement.

Key Performance Areas include but are not limited to:

  • Lead new product and menu development from concept to launch.
  • Manage multiple R&D projects and regional product rollouts
  • Develop seasonal menus, LTOs, core menu innovations, recipes and specifications.
  • Optimize existing products for quality, cost, and operational efficiency.
  • Conduct market research, competitive benchmarking and identify trends.
  • Plan and execute tastings, trials and product validations.
  • Manage product costing
  • Collaborate with Category team , Host brand R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality Assurance and suppliers.
Knowledge:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Hospitality Management, or a related field.
Experience:
  • 7–10+ years in Food & Beverage R&D, Menu Development or Product Innovation.
  • Experience within QSR, cafés, casual dining, retail food or FMCG.
  • Proven end-to-end new product development experience.
  • Regional or multi-market experience preferred.
Skills: 
  • Menu engineering
  • Recipe development
  • F&B trend analysis
  • Sensory evaluation
  • Food safety
  • Costing
  • Supplier sourcing
  • Project management
  • Cross-functional collaboration
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