Senior Research & Development Manager - Starbucks - UAE

Role Profile:

The Senior R&D Manager -Beverage is responsible for leading the end-to-end development of innovative and commercially relevant beverages tailored to local consumer preferences and market opportunities.

The role will be the key technical and innovation partner for the Category team, translating consumer insights, local trends, cultural preferences and market opportunities into distinctive beverage concepts that are aligned with Starbucks brand standards.

The role leads the full beverage development process, from ideation and recipe creation through testing, sensory evaluation, validation, costing and launch. This includes developing locally relevant beverages and adaptations of global concepts, while ensuring consistency, quality, operational feasibility and commercial viability.

Working closely with Category, Host Brand R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality Assurance, Operations and suppliers, the Senior R&D Manager will build a strong pipeline of beverage innovation and ensure successful execution across markets.

Key Performance Areas include but are not limited to:

• Lead local beverage innovation and product development from concept to commercial launch.

• Develop new beverage recipes, flavour combinations, ingredients and formats based on local consumer preferences and market trends.

• Translate consumer insights, cultural trends and competitive activity into relevant beverage concepts.

• Adapt and localize global Starbucks beverage concepts where appropriate.

• Lead beverage ideation sessions, prototyping, trials, sensory evaluations and product validation.

• Conduct market research and competitive benchmarking to identify emerging beverage trends and innovation opportunities.

• Manage the end-to-end R&D process, including recipe development, testing, optimization, standardization and documentation.

• Ensure all products meet Starbucks brand standards, food safety and quality requirements, operational requirements and local regulatory standards.

• Partner with suppliers to identify and develop suitable ingredients, flavours and product solutions.

• Manage product costing and support the development of commercially viable recipes within target margins.

• Collaborate with Operations to ensure recipes are practical, scalable and executable in stores.

• Manage multiple R&D projects and regional/local product development timelines.

• Support successful product launches through product specifications, training materials, testing and operational validation.

Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Beverage Technology, Food & Beverage Management or a related field.

• Strong technical understanding of beverage ingredients, formulation, preparation methods and sensory characteristics.

• Knowledge of food safety, quality standards and relevant regulatory requirements.

• Strong understanding of beverage trends, consumer preferences and menu innovation

Experience:

• 7–10+ years of experience in Beverage R&D, Beverage Development, Product Innovation or Menu Development.

• Demonstrated experience in hands-on beverage recipe development and commercialization.

• Experience within QSR, cafés, coffee chains, casual dining, FMCG or retail food & beverage.

• Proven experience taking products from concept and prototyping through testing, costing and commercial launch.

• Experience developing products for local or regional markets is highly preferred.

• Experience working with suppliers and ingredient partners is preferred.

Skills:

• Beverage formulation & recipe development

• Beverage innovation & concept development

• Sensory evaluation and product testing

• Consumer and F&B trend analysis

• Ingredient knowledge and supplier collaboration

• Product costing and commercial understanding

• Project management

• Cross-functional collaboration

• Problem solving and attention to detail

• Ability to translate consumer insights into commercially viable products