
intermediate technical product manager
Starbucks · Seattle, WA
- On site
- Full-time
- $120,000 / year
- Seattle, WA
Job highlights
- Define product value and direction.
- Translate needs into buildable work.
- Drive delivery through Agile practices.
- Partner with design and engineering teams.
- Measure feature success post-launch.
About the role
Technical Product Manager
Now Brewing – Technical Product Managers! #tobeapartner
From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others.
As a Technical Product Manager, you’ll identify business problems and opportunities, define success metrics, and translate needs into clear epics and user stories so engineering teams can design, build, release, and monitor solutions efficiently. You’ll work in a highly collaborative environment and bring a passion for simple, engaging experiences.
As a Technical Product Manager, you will…
- Define product value and direction by aligning business and technical objectives, setting clear priorities, and establishing product health/performance metrics and KPIs.
- Translate needs into buildable work by writing well-formed epics/user stories, defining acceptance criteria and non-functional requirements (performance, scalability, resilience, usability, accessibility, security, continuity), and clarifying tradeoffs, dependencies, and constraints.
- Drive delivery and outcomes through iterative Agile practices, partnering with design and engineering on sizing and planning, removing blockers, facilitating user review/acceptance, and measuring feature success post-launch to improve product health.
We’d Love To Hear From People With
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- 4+ years of experience using analytics/optimization tools to inform product planning and prioritization
- 4+ years partnering with design and engineering to deliver customer-facing features
- 4+ years building roadmaps and backlogs, writing user stories, and coordinating conflicting requirements in a fast-paced environment
- 4+ years of industry experience in a technology environment delivering complex products
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years delivering complex products in a technology environment, including cross-team roadmaps and technically complex features
- Recent experience building for web and/or mobile, and ability to read/understand code (prior programming experience a plus)
- 5+ years of hands-on product planning: technical roadmaps, story outlines, acceptance criteria, and backlog refinement at scale
- Strong ability to influence without authority, communicate clearly, and stay organized while managing competing priorities; deep familiarity with Agile practices and tools
Benefits and Perks
As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits. Partners have access to short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire*, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year. Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well-being tools. Additionally, Starbucks offers 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, student loan management resources, and access to other educational opportunities. You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement. Starbucks will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and in accordance with its plans and policies. This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative. For additional information regarding partner perks and more detailed information about benefits, go to starbucksbenefits.com.
If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above. For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above.
The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At Starbucks, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
Key skills/competency
- Technical Product Management
- Agile Methodologies
- Roadmap Development
- User Story Writing
- Requirements Gathering
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Product Strategy
- Data Analysis
- Customer Focus
- Problem Solving
Skills & topics
- Technical Product Manager
- Product Management
- Agile
- Scrum
- Roadmap
- User Stories
- Requirements
- Software Development
- Technology
- Starbucks
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 4+ years of experience in product planning, user stories, and delivering customer-facing features, emphasizing analytics and Agile methodologies.
- Showcase technical aptitude: Detail experience with web/mobile development and understanding code, even if programming isn't your primary focus.
- Demonstrate collaboration: Provide examples of successful partnerships with design and engineering teams to deliver complex products.
- Emphasize leadership: Illustrate your ability to influence without authority and manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments.
- Prepare for Agile questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with Agile practices, roadmap development, and backlog refinement.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities of a Technical Product Manager at Starbucks?
- As a Technical Product Manager at Starbucks, you will define product value and direction, translate business needs into technical requirements and user stories, and drive product delivery using Agile methodologies. This involves collaborating closely with design and engineering teams, defining metrics, and measuring feature success post-launch.
- What qualifications are essential for a Technical Product Manager role at Starbucks?
- Starbucks requires a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in a related field, along with at least 4 years of experience in product planning, using analytics tools, partnering with engineering and design, writing user stories, and delivering complex products in a technology environment. Experience with web/mobile development is also highly valued.
- Does Starbucks offer good benefits for their Technical Product Managers?
- Yes, Starbucks offers a comprehensive benefits package for its partners, including medical, dental, vision insurance, life insurance, disability benefits, paid parental leave, vacation time, sick time, and paid holidays. They also offer a 401(k) with employer match, stock programs, tuition coverage for a bachelor's degree through Arizona State University, and student loan management resources.
- How important is Agile experience for this Technical Product Manager position at Starbucks?
- Agile experience is crucial. The job description emphasizes driving delivery and outcomes through iterative Agile practices. You should be familiar with Agile tools and methodologies, including backlog refinement, user story writing, and collaborating with engineering on sizing and planning within an Agile framework.
- What is the preferred experience for a Technical Product Manager candidate at Starbucks?
- Preferred qualifications include 7+ years of experience delivering complex products, with specific experience in building for web/mobile, understanding code (prior programming experience is a plus), and hands-on product planning at scale. A strong ability to influence without authority and clear communication are also highly preferred.
- How does Starbucks approach compensation for Technical Product Managers?
- Starbucks determines compensation based on multiple factors including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. It's not typical for candidates to be hired at the high end of the salary range, as decisions are made based on the specific circumstances of the position and the candidate.