Vice President, Business Practices

Starbucks is seeking a visionary senior executive to further develop and oversee all policies and programs governing the social, environmental, economic and quality aspects of the supply chain for Starbucks key products.

The ideal candidate will have a track record as an innovator developing new programs and approaches, have extensive international supply chain and environmental experience, significant experience in and previous senior management responsibility for strategy, policy development, and program activities related to socially responsible business practices in a global corporate setting, and a sophisticated understanding of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) landscape.

In 2001, in conjunction with Conservation International, Starbucks developed socially responsible coffee buying guidelines -- C.A.F.E. Practices (Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices). These guidelines help Starbucks work with coffee farmers to ensure high-quality coffee and promote equitable relationships with farmers, workers and communities, as well as protect the environment. The guidelines define the critical social, environmental, economic and quality aspects of growing, processing and selling coffee for Starbucks. The guidelines contain 28 specific indicators that fall under five focus areas: product quality, economic accountability (transparency), social responsibility, environmental leadership in coffee growing and environmental leadership in coffee processing.

Job Overview

The Vice President is charged with furthering the Company's work with its partners in the coffee supply chain, and developing new policies, programs and processes in non-coffee areas of the Company's supply chain, e.g., tea, cocoa, dairy, paper and packaging. In this work, the Vice President will also build strategic alliances and partnerships with key external stakeholders and serve as Starbucks principal liaison with advocacy groups concerned with Starbucks environmental and sustainable business practices. Internally, the Vice President will work closely and regularly with senior leaders throughout the company and serve as a senior-level strategist and advisor on socially responsible business practices.

The Vice President oversees two directors and related staff with responsibility for 1) environmental affairs and 2) sustainable agriculture and supply chain issues.

The position reports to the Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and is part of the Company's Social Responsibility Department. The position is based at corporate headquarters in Seattle, WA. For more information on Starbucks please visit our website.

Position Summary

• Leadership and strategy. Develop and direct the company's global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) business practices policies, strategies, processes and tools to ensure the highest global company citizenship and the highest possible impact on public, customer, partner and investor relationships. Ensure that appropriate social, environmental, economic and quality considerations are incorporated into the Company's approach to its supply chain. Develop new and innovative approaches to environmental and supply chain issues as appropriate.     
• Advocacy. Advocate internally for policies and practices that position the Company as a CSR leader for its environmental and supply chain policies and practices.     
• Senior Advisor. Provide senior-level advice and counsel to company leaders -- including to the CEO and Board -- on socially responsible business practices.     
• Risk/Benefit Analysis. Frame CSR risks and opportunities with a special focus on environmental and supply chain issues so that it informs Company strategy and decision-making as appropriate. Assess, prioritize, proactively monitor and address potential challenges and risks. Elevate emerging issues where necessary.     
• Policy Development. Oversee the development of appropriate company policies and guidelines in the following areas:  
  • Coffee. Further develop the company's C.A.F.E. Practices (Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices). Ensure effective strategy and program development related to the implementation of the company??s Supplier Code of Conduct and Coffee Sourcing Guidelines. Ensure that the Company's business practices for sourcing coffee contribute to the Company's long-term growth and success by collaborating with the coffee department on the sustainability of producers of high quality coffee.  
  • Other product areas. Drive the development of strategies, policies/guidelines, programs and processes in non-coffee areas, e.g., tea, cocoa, dairy, paper and packaging. Ensure that the Company's business practices for sourcing non-coffee products are aligned with the Company mission and contribute to the Company's long-term growth and success.  
  • Environment. Ensure appropriate environmental policies are in place for global supply chain operations, retail locations, production facilities, and administrative offices. 
• Program Development. Develop Starbucks CSR, environment and sustainable supply chain programs and strategies so as to enhance Starbucks leadership as a socially responsible business. Work with various business units and departments, support the implementation of Company programs, procedures, methods and practices to promote Starbucks key messages and achieve a competitive advantage.     
• Business Partner Education. Ensure appropriate information and guidance is being provided to Starbucks business partners re: socially responsible supply chain guidelines, policies and procedures.     
• Monitoring. Develop and implement effective monitoring and auditing of all Company Codes of Conduct and CSR procurement guidelines. Oversee relationships with internal auditors and external and/or independent monitors.     
• Compliance. Work closely and collaboratively with staff in the business units with responsibility for compliance with all Codes of Conduct and program implementation in the field.     
• Best Practices. Identify global "best" practices in environmental and supply chain issues by tracking and analyzing those that are most relevant and linked to Starbuck??s overall mission and goals. Provide Starbucks leadership with advice and counsel regarding "best" practices and strategies in the field.   
• Content Expertise. Maintain a sophisticated level of expertise in CSR, supply chain issues and sourcing overall with a special focus on the environment, labor, and community involvement, and on issues specific to agriculture and retail and relevant geographic regions.     
• Business Integration. Educate and link different groups and functions in company on CSR and supply chain issues. Prepare, communicate and educate client groups and teams on changes in policies and practices within the organization. Develop relationships with Starbucks leaders in other units and departments to facilitate the adoption of department programs and practices. Advise international markets to facilitate the incorporation of CSR leadership practices and socially responsible business practices in Starbucks global operations.     
• Senior-level External Engagement. Serve as the senior-level representative for the Company in diverse, complex, and high profile situations on global supply chain issues. Identify and manage relationships with trade, government and non-governmental organizations that support Starbucks business and CSR interests. Proactively build strategic alliances and coalitions with key constituency groups whose work and missions are aligned with Starbucks. Serve as Starbucks principal liaison with advocacy groups concerned with Starbucks environmental and sustainable business practices.     
• Fiscal Oversight. Develop annual operating plan and budget, and quarterly forecast updates. Track performance against budget and forecast for all products and programs.     
• Management. Oversee a Director of Business Practices and Director of Environmental Affairs and related staff. Plan and manage business unit/department processes and practices to ensure that programs are aligned with company business goals and objectives. Identify and communicate key responsibilities and practices to ensure the immediate team of direct reports promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results. Oversee training and development of partners directly, and indirectly manage and make effective staffing decisions. Provide coaching, direction and leadership support to team members in order to achieve partner, business and customer results.     
• Travel. Domestic and international travel. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned, senior leader with significant experience in and previous senior management responsibility for strategy, policy development, and program activities related to CSR business practices in a global corporate setting. Strong content expertise in global supply chain issues, environmental best practices and CSR standards are a must. The candidate must be able to work successfully with large and complex organizations and with people of diverse functional and cultural backgrounds. Critical to success will be the ability to quickly develop a working knowledge of the corporation's business strategies, policies, standards, and risk areas; exceptional listening, framing and strategic abilities; superb people management and influencing skills; an impeccable reputation for integrity and follow-through; and the ability to engender trust and maintain credibility internally and externally. Senior level experience in the food and beverage, retail or consumer goods sector is a plus.

Other qualifications include

• Ten plus years of senior-level responsibility in the private sector with a focus on corporate social responsibility. Progressive experience leading global supply chain issues/business practices and/or environmental affairs.   
• Exceptional strategic thinking capabilities specifically around CSR issues, and the opportunities and challenges to have an influence while working at the intersection of business and society.    
• Experience in code of conduct development and the development of other policies, guidelines and programs related to global supply chain operations and monitoring in a large, global organization.    
• Sophisticated knowledge and understanding of the corporate social responsibility and social and environmental requirements of the global supply chain.    
• Skilled at evaluating various external CSR standards, voluntary codes and other policies, analyzing issues and best practices, anticipating future trends, and using this knowledge to develop effective CSR policies and programs globally.    
• Progressive experience in representing a company to and coalition-building with a wide variety of domestic and international constituencies, with a particular focus on social and environmental issues. Proven ability to forge unique partnerships and initiatives with diverse internal and external constituents.    
• Highly developed ability and track record of influencing internal and external contacts and providing effective issue advocacy.    
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.    
• Exceptional management and supervisory skills including the ability to effectively lead a team. Ability to motivate and mentor others within work group. Budget development and oversight experience necessary. Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives and project teams.    
• Strong customer service commitment for internal and external stakeholders.    
• A commitment to Starbucks values, beliefs and principles; an individual with the highest standards of ethics and integrity.    
• Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree or equivalent experience in business, law or related field is preferable.

To Apply

Interested applicants should send resume, cover letter and salary information by email.