Manager, Coffee Commercialization, TH

Restaurant Brands International

93d•Onsite

About The Position

Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI) is seeking a Manager, Coffee Commercialization for Tim Hortons. This role is crucial in leading the development and commercialization of roasted whole bean and ground coffee products, supporting both North American and international markets. The position involves recipe development for coffee machines and manual preparation, managing the transition from pilot scale to full manufacturing, and ensuring product quality and consistency through rigorous testing and specification adherence. The role also requires collaboration with cross-functional teams, vendor management, and staying abreast of industry trends and regulatory requirements. RBI is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies, owning iconic brands like TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES®, and FIREHOUSE SUBS®. RBI is committed to sustainability through its Restaurant Brands for Good framework.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related discipline; or Bachelor of Engineering
Experience in manufacturing R&G coffee
Hands-on roasting experience with commercial roasters and proficiency in roast profile development
Proven experience in coffee commercialization or R&D projects in a R&G coffee manufacturing environment.
Experience in food or beverage product development with a demonstrated specialization in coffee
Deep sensory acuity with the ability to conduct and facilitate structured cupping sessions
Working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, FSMA/SFCA regulatory requirements as they apply to coffee manufacturing.
Familiarity with shelf-life testing, accelerated aging studies, and packaging selection for R&G coffee, coffee concentrates and instant coffee.
Proficiency in extraction science — understanding of brew ratios, grind particle size distribution, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), and extraction yield measurement
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); experience with R&D data management or formulation software is an asset
Effective project management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex technical findings into clear solutions for development or improvement of coffee products
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills — comfortable presenting to senior leadership, plant operations, and external partners
Self-directed, collaborative, and comfortable operating with ambiguity in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) certification in Roasting or Coffee Skills is an asset
Q Grader license is an asset
Experience with liquid coffee, coffee concentrates, or RTD coffee formats is a strong asset.
Experience within a QSR, foodservice, or CPG environment is a significant asset

Responsibilities

Lead the development of roasted whole bean and ground coffee products (R&G) to meet partner, guest, and consumer needs across North America and supporting international markets.
Support development of recipes for coffee machines and manual preparation of coffee beverages, including brewed coffee, espresso-based drinks and cold brew, based on sensory evaluation, consumer testing, and product quality objectives.
Manage the commercialization of new coffee products from pilot scale through full manufacturing, working closely with cross-functional teams.
Drive product development work for coffee products at plant level both internally and at vendors, ensuring work is done efficiently and delivers on quality standards.
Conduct vendor capability assessments, including comprehensive plant-level questionnaires for facilities new to the Tim Hortons coffee manufacturing network.
Develop and ensure adherence to plant-specific processing and finished goods specifications for coffee manufacturing, including roasting, grinding, and packaging, ensuring the highest quality sensory results through shelf life of products.
Ensure accurate, controlled documentation of product specifications.
Support Quality Technical Writers and serve as an approver for the SPEQ commodity hub.
Maintain a detailed inventory of manufacturing network capabilities and contingency plans, providing the information needed to support sourcing decisions and volume allocations.
Evaluate changes to packaging, processing or finished goods specifications by partnering with plant operations and cross-functional teams to design robust trials that generate high-quality data and support accurate, confident decision-making.
At plant level, troubleshoot production challenges identified through sensory monitoring and specification compliance reviews, providing root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Ensure thorough validation and capability assessments of new coffee production equipment, including roasters, grinders, and packaging systems.
Collaborate with CPG, Operations, Supply Chain, and Procurement to align product development with business objectives, cost targets, and launch readiness.
Manage multiple concurrent coffee development projects using structured stage-gate processes, ensuring timely delivery against commercialization milestones.
Act as the technical point of contact for Corporate QA and other functions, providing guidance on matters related to coffee products and the manufacturing network.
Support the product quality monitoring process by participating in cuppings and partnering with plants to troubleshoot production issues, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions that drive continuous quality improvement.
Benchmark competitors’ QSR and CPG coffee offerings to identify white space opportunities and maintain competitive positioning.
Actively monitor global coffee industry trends, including specialty coffee movements, processing innovations, and evolving consumer preferences, and translate insights into actionable product development opportunities.
Monitor evolving regulatory, import, and compliance requirements across North America and key international markets, including ingredient and product standards, testing requirements, and market-specific legislation, proactively identifying upcoming changes and escalating potential impacts.
Monitor advancements in coffee manufacturing technologies and processing methods, identifying and leveraging opportunities to improve product quality and consistency and enhance operational efficiency.
Attend and participate in key industry events, such as CAC and NCA annual conferences, to maintain networks and stay current on emerging technologies and trends.
Foster collaborative and innovative partnerships with vendors that bridge R&D and Operations through open communication and continuous improvement.
Champion brand quality standards across all markets, support product messaging and defensible product claims, contribute to corporate communications, and provide coffee subject matter expertise across functions as needed.