Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to lead the Global Channel Development (GCD) sustainability strategy, effectively turning corporate commitments into operational roadmaps across six major global partnerships. You will be responsible for ensuring that all channel activities align with the Starbucks 2030 sustainability goals, identifying where gaps exist and how to bridge them through strategic trade-offs. Key responsibilities include translating complex international regulations like the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and Green Claims into clear execution plans. You will also lead the GCD approach within the US Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) taskforce, ensuring scalable and compliant solutions that protect the company's license to operate while minimizing costs and duplication.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role sits at the intersection of circularity and compliance . A major focus will be on sustainable packaging, specifically navigating the transition required by new global mandates regarding waste reduction and recycled content. You will ensure that every product sold through global channels meets the high environmental standards expected by both regulators and consumers. Additionally, the role supports the broader Starbucks 2030 commitments , which include significant reductions in carbon, water, and waste. By scoring innovation projects against sustainability criteria, you act as a gatekeeper for the company’s environmental footprint in the retail and channel development space.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

The most significant challenge will be navigating regulatory fragmentation . Different regions have vastly different timelines and requirements for packaging and reporting, requiring you to build a roadmap that is both globally consistent and locally compliant. Balancing these demands without slowing down the pace of innovation is a delicate task. Another challenge lies in stakeholder orchestration . You will be working across six global partnerships, each with its own business priorities. Aligning these external partners with the Starbucks enterprise sustainability vision requires significant diplomacy and the ability to articulate the business case for sustainable transitions.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day involves a high degree of collaborative problem-solving . You might start the morning reviewing updates on EU packaging legislation with the Legal team, followed by a session with packaging engineers to evaluate the sustainability score of a new product prototype. The afternoon could be spent in a strategic planning meeting for the EPR Taskforce, coordinating the GCD division's response to new US state laws. Between meetings, you will likely spend time analyzing roadmap progress and identifying potential risks in the supply chain. Much of the role involves synthesizing information from various departments to ensure that every partner and business unit is aligned with the long-term 2030 milestones.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact extensively with Enterprise Sustainability leaders to ensure GCD strategy aligns with the master brand vision. Within the company, your closest collaborators will be in Legal, Supply Chain, Brand, and Packaging Engineering. These relationships are critical for ensuring that sustainability is not a siloed function but integrated into the product lifecycle. Externally, you will engage with global retail partners and third-party channel operators to drive roadmap execution. You may also interact with external advisors and industry associations to stay ahead of the regulatory curve and represent Starbucks interests in multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to lead the Global Channel Development (GCD) sustainability strategy, effectively turning corporate commitments into operational roadmaps across six major global partnerships. You will be responsible for ensuring that all channel activities align with the Starbucks 2030 sustainability goals, identifying where gaps exist and how to bridge them through strategic trade-offs. Key responsibilities include translating complex international regulations like the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and Green Claims into clear execution plans. You will also lead the GCD approach within the US Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) taskforce, ensuring scalable and compliant solutions that protect the company's license to operate while minimizing costs and duplication.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

A partner in this role will gain deep expertise in the rapidly evolving environment of international environmental law, specifically concerning packaging waste and circular economy mandates. You will learn how a massive global enterprise navigates compliance across different jurisdictions while maintaining brand consistency and operational efficiency. Furthermore, the role offers significant exposure to cross-functional leadership at scale. By collaborating with packaging engineers, legal experts, and supply chain directors, you will develop a nuanced understanding of how sustainability criteria can be successfully integrated into the stage-gate innovation process for consumer products.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings between 5 and 10 years of experience in sustainability leadership, with a strong background in managing complex regulatory frameworks within the CPG or retail sectors. You should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability or a related field and demonstrate a high level of proficiency in program management. Soft skills are just as critical; you must be a clear communicator capable of creating clarity in ambiguous situations. Success in this role requires the ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority and the analytical mindset to connect dots across diverse business units like Brand, Legal, and Supply Chain.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a clear track record of translating policy into practice. Don't just list your knowledge of EPR or ESG; explain how you have previously led a workstream that moved a business from a state of regulatory risk to one of strategic compliance and operational readiness. Highlight your experience in partner management. Since Starbucks operates through complex global channels, showing that you understand how to navigate the tensions between corporate headquarters and regional partners will be highly valued. Tailor your resume to show how you use data-driven insights to influence product innovation and supply chain decisions.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

This role sits at the intersection of circularity and compliance. A major focus will be on sustainable packaging, specifically navigating the transition required by new global mandates regarding waste reduction and recycled content. You will ensure that every product sold through global channels meets the high environmental standards expected by both regulators and consumers. Additionally, the role supports the broader Starbucks 2030 commitments, which include significant reductions in carbon, water, and waste. By scoring innovation projects against sustainability criteria, you act as a gatekeeper for the company’s environmental footprint in the retail and channel development space.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

The most significant challenge will be navigating regulatory fragmentation. Different regions have vastly different timelines and requirements for packaging and reporting, requiring you to build a roadmap that is both globally consistent and locally compliant. Balancing these demands without slowing down the pace of innovation is a delicate task. Another challenge lies in stakeholder orchestration. You will be working across six global partnerships, each with its own business priorities. Aligning these external partners with the Starbucks enterprise sustainability vision requires significant diplomacy and the ability to articulate the business case for sustainable transitions.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day involves a high degree of collaborative problem-solving. You might start the morning reviewing updates on EU packaging legislation with the Legal team, followed by a session with packaging engineers to evaluate the sustainability score of a new product prototype. The afternoon could be spent in a strategic planning meeting for the EPR Taskforce, coordinating the GCD division's response to new US state laws. Between meetings, you will likely spend time analyzing roadmap progress and identifying potential risks in the supply chain. Much of the role involves synthesizing information from various departments to ensure that every partner and business unit is aligned with the long-term 2030 milestones.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

Given the scale of Starbucks, this role offers a high-visibility platform within the Enterprise Sustainability ecosystem. Success here can lead to senior leadership positions focused on global corporate strategy or specialized roles in environmental policy and advocacy. The cross-functional nature of the work also opens doors to lateral moves into Supply Chain or Brand Management leadership. Moreover, as regulatory compliance becomes a core driver of business value, the expertise gained in EPR and global packaging mandates will position you as a top-tier expert in the CPG industry. The company also provides strong educational benefits, including tuition coverage for continued professional development through partner programs.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will interact extensively with Enterprise Sustainability leaders to ensure GCD strategy aligns with the master brand vision. Within the company, your closest collaborators will be in Legal, Supply Chain, Brand, and Packaging Engineering. These relationships are critical for ensuring that sustainability is not a siloed function but integrated into the product lifecycle. Externally, you will engage with global retail partners and third-party channel operators to drive roadmap execution. You may also interact with external advisors and industry associations to stay ahead of the regulatory curve and represent Starbucks interests in multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Senior Manager, Global Channel Development Sustainability

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Key learning opportunities for this job

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

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