operations manager, Starbucks Roastery Chicago

Starbucks Coffee Company is a globally recognized leader in the coffee industry, renowned for its commitment to quality, community, and culture. From its inception, Starbucks has sought to be more than just a coffee seller—it aims to be a different kind of company dedicated to celebrating the rich tradition of coffee while fostering a unique connection among people. Starbucks prides itself on developing extraordinary leaders who share a passion for service and connection to others. With an expansive portfolio that includes flagship Starbucks Reserve Stores and Reserve Kitchens across the United States, Starbucks Reserve® stands out as a centerpiece that highlights craftmanship, exclusivity, and local culture within the brand's larger footprint.

Starbucks Reserve® locations offer exceptional retail collections featuring exclusive merchandise that reflects the craft and passion of coffee as well as the essence of the local community through partnerships with local artists. Retail partners at these locations inspire guests by sharing expertise about brewing methods and Reserve coffees roasted in-house, creating a distinct, personalized coffee experience. As hubs for community gatherings and rich coffee experiences, Starbucks Reserve® stores contribute significantly to the company’s image and success.

The role of Operations Manager at Starbucks Reserve or Roastery locations is pivotal to delivering the brand's promise of world-class customer service and operational excellence. This onsite position demands open availability to meet business needs and involves managing the customer experience within a designated zone or entire stores. Operations Managers lead teams of partners, collaborate with market and peer management, and are deeply involved in coaching, training, and supervising. They ensure customer satisfaction, uphold product and brand quality, manage financial performance, and oversee staffing decisions.

As a strategic leader, the Operations Manager is accountable for overall business performance metrics including revenue, waste reduction, inventory management, labor costs, and other operating expenses, aligning all activities with Starbucks' guiding principles. The role requires exceptional leadership to set goals, cultivate organizational capabilities, and model company values. Operations Managers must demonstrate a calm demeanor during high-volume periods, emphasize customer-first attitudes, maintain integrity, and creatively execute plans even when resources are limited.

This position also requires a strong foundation in business acumen—managing profit and loss responsibilities, analyzing trends, identifying areas for operational improvements to increase sales and profitability, and ensuring compliance with legal and company policies. The Operations Manager works closely with peer teams to implement initiatives that enhance the customer experience and promote a positive and collaborative workplace culture. Furthermore, developing and nurturing partners’ growth through ongoing coaching and performance assessments is a critical component of the role.

Starbucks offers a highly supportive work environment where Operations Managers are encouraged to build effective teams and foster an inclusive culture that values and respects individual contributions. The role involves recruiting, training, scheduling, and ensuring legal compliance relating to labor and workplace standards. Overall, the Operations Manager is a key driver of Starbucks Reserve® and Roastery success through leadership, strategic planning, operational excellence, and partner development, helping maintain Starbucks’ position as a premier coffee and community brand.