Starbucks Makes Major Management Changes

by Angela Nazworth | May 18, 2012 12:06 pm

[1]Plans for growth are brewing — or should we say being squeezed out[2] — at Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX[3]). The Seattle-based coffee giant announced several major leadership changes earlier this week.

“As we continue to sharpen our focus and strengthen our three-region operating model, local relevancy and speed of decision making are two critical requirements we must deliver so that we can seize opportunities,” Howard Schulz, chairman, president and CEO said in a press release[4].

Schulz also said the leadership changes will enable the company to “more swiftly” position itself for new opportunities without sacrificing the companies core brand values.

Here’s a look at Satrbucks’ all-star lineup of execs.

Lucy Lee Helm

Helm, who has been with Starbucks for 12 years has been appointed executive vice president, general counsel and secretary. In this position, she will lead the company’s law and corporate affairs department, support the board of directors and serve as a member of the company’s senior leadership team. Helm has served as interim general counsel since April of this year.

Arthur Rubinfeld

Rubinfeld will expand his role to chief creative officer and president of global development and Evolution Fresh retail. Rubinfeld, who was responsible for the design of the first Evolution Fresh store, will continue to lead the Evolution Fresh retail store strategy. He will also be responsible for developing and integrating  corporate branding initiatives.

Annie Young-Scrivner

Young-Scrivner has been appointed executive vice president, Starbucks Canada. Her office will be based in Toronto, and her responsibilities will focus on leading and growing the Canadian market. Young-Scrivner previously held the position of global chief marketing officer. Instead of hiring a new CMO, Starbucks has formed a global brand leadership team that will be led by Vivek Varma, executive vice president, public affairs.

Colin Moore

Moore will transition to the newly created role of senior vice president, enterprise optimization. He currently serves as Senior Vice President Starbucks Americas and President Starbucks Canada. In his new role, Moore will be responsible for greater financial value creation as well as economic and operating efficiencies.

Craig Russell

Russell has been appointed senior vice president, global coffee after serving as senior vice president, U.S. store services. The move coincides with the retirement of Dub Hay, who will depart in November after serving in the role of senior vice president, global coffee authority for nearly 10 years. Russell will serve as the company voice and advocate for coffee and its business strategy.

Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2012/05/starbucks-makes-major-management-changes/

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