Name: Sam Henderson
Job title: Group manager of beverage development EMEA
Company: Starbucks
What was your first job? Believe it or not, my first proper job was as a part-time barista at my local Starbucks in Leicester. I did a couple of shifts a week whilst studying for my A levels.
Eighteen years later and many roles in-between and I’m still a Starbucks employee today. As well as being able to build on my experience whilst working at Starbucks, the big changing moment in my career came in 2015 when I won the Starbucks UK Barista Championship, a competition which runs each year where all baristas in our stores have the opportunity to showcase their expertise and passion for coffee.
What’s been your worst job interview? Honestly, none of them really stick out as being bad. The interview to join the Starbucks beverage development team had a practical element though, trying to showcase and make a tasty beverage whilst being asked interview questions was a pretty nervy affair!
What was the first music single you bought? Comfort in Sound by Feeder.
“I had the opportunity to visit one of Starbucks’ farms to learn more about the bean-to-cup journey”
How do you describe your job to your friends? I am part of the innovation team that creates all the beverages sold in Starbucks stores across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We basically eat and drink all day.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Starbucks sponsored me to conduct and complete a degree level apprenticeship in food science and technology, whilst working full time as a product developer. This gave me an appreciation for how important it is to be given the opportunity to achieve your aspirations at work.
Now I lead a team of people who have the important role of developing and testing new products for customers in EMEA. Being able to watch the team grow and help them achieve their goals by launching amazing products is by far the most rewarding part of my job.
What is the least rewarding part? As with any job there is a healthy amount of admin. It’s entirely necessary of course, but requires a little more mental persuasion than the creative elements of my role.
What is your motto in life? Onwards.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Being able to visit our coffee farmers in Costa Rica, Indonesia and Rwanda again as part of the Origin Experience.
I had the privilege of participating in the Origin Experience in 2016, an annual trip where 1,000 employees have the opportunity to visit one of Starbucks’ farms to learn more about the bean-to-cup journey.
Seeing how any agricultural product is produced and stewarded and the people that do it is very powerful, and coffee is no different.
Do you have any phobias? Heights. I suffer from a bit of vertigo.
If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? Allergens in foods you wouldn’t reasonably expect to be there. One example of this is wheat coatings on chips: I get everyone loves a crispy chip but does the allergen really need to be there?
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A daily supply of fresh coffee.
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What animal most reflects your personality? I chucked this question out to my friends and they came back with a beaver - hardworking, industrious, creative. I’m not going to lie, they came back with many options before and after this one but this was by far the most serious and flattering!
What’s your favourite film and why? Hook. A tremendous watch, loaded with amazing actors and provides some great quotable scenes.
Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Watching his River Cottage programmes when I was growing up inspired my love for food and the countryside.
What would your death row meal be? I’m going to play hard and fast with the rules here because, well, it’s my last chance.
Starter is a selection of British pub snack classics, pork pie, scotch eggs, half pint of prawns, samosas etc. Main is a selection of tacos, meats cooked over fire, fish, all the sides, dips, sauces. Dessert is a selection of cheese and biscuits.
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