Salaried Positions

The following are available salaried positions at the Support Center:

Temporary Facilities Manager

Location: Minnesota Corporate Headquarters

Position Code: TFMgr

Date: Jul 23, 2008

Position Description: Manage all aspects of independent service providers, which includes but not limited to HVAC, Refrigeration, Plumbing, Espresso/Brewing, Electrical, and Carpentry contractors for all Caribou stores and Support Center.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Manage contract services for but not limited to HVAC, Refrigeration, Plumbing, Espresso/Brewing, Electrical, and Carpentry in an effort to keep all stores equipment in efficient operational order.
  • High level of customer service and communication when responding to all service requests from field team members.
  • Track and follow up on all service requests.
  • Manage designated expense and capital budgets, which includes all repairs and capital replacement of equipment and building services.
  • Manage RFP process and scheduling equipment replacement as needed.
  • Assist in addressing effective ways to reduce labor and material costs.
  • Collaborate with team on ways to improve processes within Facilities Department.
  • Work as a team member with internal support center employees.
  • Adhere to team objectives
  • Accurately process service invoices for designate areas of responsibility.
  • Review existing contracts for cost value and performance, realign existing base of contractors if needed.
  • Assist in annual contractor performance evaluation.

Education/Training/Experience Bachelor's Degree preferred in Facilities and or Construction Management with a minimum of 5 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience in multi-retail Facilities and Construction Management. Understands contracts, plans, specifications, and is knowledgeable about construction methods, materials, and regulations. Ability to manage several projects at once, while analyzing and resolving specific problems, is essential and familiar with all commercial building systems I.E. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry etc. Experienced in the use of Microsoft office products. Knowledgeable of project management, scheduling, and estimating tools is helpful. Customer service oriented must be able to establish a good working relationship with many different individuals, store mangers, field and support center team members, architects, vendors, and contractors. Skilled in developing and managing budgets within small or large scale projects.


Business Operations Analyst - Finance

Location: Minnesota Corporate Headquarters

Position Code: BusOpsAna

Date: Jul 23, 2008

Position Description: This position is responsible for determining IT requirements to support the functional business unit's goals. The Operations Analyst will blend his or her business, technical, and communication skills to work directly and proactively with the business unit he/she serves. The role represents the business SME for system administration and functional support for the business systems used by the business unit. The business unit will use the Operations Analyst as its conduit to the IT organization.

Responsibilities Include:
Provide day-to-day support for production business systems:

  • Assist the user community in identifying, documenting, and resolving system issues that cannot be addressed by the IT Service Desk (i.e. escalation support).
  • Work with vendors on resolving software issues.
  • The tasks will consist of business process analysis and design, project planning and management, needs/requirements assessments, preliminary cost/benefit analysis in an effort to align information technology solutions with business initiatives and level II/III support on the business systems utilized by the business unit.
  • Provide assistance in data analysis to business unit and the financial analysis & planning group.
  • Respond with urgency to any system problems impeding efficient operations within the business.
  • Work with IT to maintain systems security as to insure compliance with corporate and external standards.
  • May define curriculum, design material, and train end users on new / existing applications.

New / Enhanced Functionality:

  • Participate in projects where new technology is implemented and/or system upgrades conducted.
  • Consult with business unit management and personnel to identify and document business needs and objectives, current operational procedures, problems, input and output requirements, data scope, usage, formatting, and security requirements.
  • Develop, refine, track and prioritize all requirements through the development / implementation process managing requirement gaps and resolution thereof.
  • Assist in the development of reporting needs and capabilities and perform ad-hoc reporting needed by the business unit.
  • Analyze and translate business requirements to formal requirements documentation needed for technical design.
  • In conjunction with business unit stakeholders, perform analytical activities related to determining the feasibility of potential IT solutions to meet business needs.
  • Consult and coordinate with Development Team to design and develop automated business systems.
  • Create and assist others in the writing of user documentation, instructions and procedures.
  • Provide end-user training on system functionality as requested by business owners.
  • Responsible for developing and conducting system / integration testing and acceptance testing.
  • Secure sign off from Business User and Sponsor on final documentation of system requirements.
  • Monitor and document post-implementation problems and revision requests.
  • Collaborate with other Operations Analysts to ensure cross-business unit consistency in processes and business system utilization.

Continuous Improvement Efforts:

  • Proactively analyze business processes in order to develop new or modified information processing systems / system functionality.
  • Participate in developing, maintaining and modifying process and procedures to solve problems considering computer equipment capacity and limitations, operation time, and form of desired results.

Project Management (in absence of a dedicated project management role):

  • Track and document changes to functional and business specifications.
  • Review, understand and evaluate the project scope, requirements, cost, quality, resources, communications, risk and procurement planning.
  • Develop estimates and plan resource effort.
  • Manage stakeholder expectations and stakeholder satisfaction.
  • Conduct studies (could be complex) pertaining to the development of new information systems to meet current and projected business needs.
  • Identify and escalate changes in scope or requirements affecting system requirements.
  • Ensure that all project tasks follow delivery methodology and that deliverables meet applicable standards.

Education/Training/Experience

  • Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Business Administration (CPA preferred)
  • Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or a Related Field or comparable experience working with business enabling IT systems.
  • At least 8 years of experience in financial and/or cost accounting for a company with manufacturing, distribution and/or retail/franchising operations (preferably in the food/restaurant industry)
  • Experience in technology systems development/implementation.
  • Hands on systems administration background. The following specifics skills a plus: Microsoft Dynamics ERP, Microsoft SQL server DB, Radio Beacon WMS, OutlookSoft, Crystal Reports or other reporting package and EDI.

Lease Administrator

Location: Minnesota Corporate Headquarters

Position Code: LAdmin

Date: Jun 30, 2008

Position Description: This position is responsible for timely, accurate and cost effective administration of all Real Estate Leases and Sub-Leases, including abstracting and tracking all relevant lease points, accurate dates and resolving questions related to the various agreements. This successful individual must be able to work in a fast-paced professional environment utilizing communication, problem solving, negotiation and analytical skills. This individual must be very organized, detail oriented, and capable of functioning as part of a larger team.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Abstract new leases and amendments and maintain the lease filing system both electronically and in hardcopy.
  • Oversee the review, audit and maintenance of lease-related documents, files and databases.
  • Track lease expiration dates and other critical dates and notify necessary staff regarding required action.
  • Coordinate lease execution including routing of leases to *management.
  • Develop a lease renewal process that is forward looking (at lease two years).
  • Work with appropriate departments in analyzing existing stores that are up for renewal. Review sales, trade area fluctuations, operational issues to make lease renewal recommendations.
  • Prepare lease renewal packages for presentation to management.
  • Review incoming correspondence and screen for priority. Handle landlord inquiries as required, using independent judgment.
  • Assist in establishing support documentation pertaining to annual capital expenditure budgets.
  • Interact with the Construction Department, as needed, for construction documents and lease language interface that affects the construction and maintenance process.
  • Accomplish the leasing of temporary space as necessary.
  • Research market data and complete financial analysis for specific sites.
  • Act as liaison for internal and external communications with regard to Lease and Sub-Lease issues.
  • Ensure reporting and communications is frequent and bi-directional.
  • Insure accurate interpretation and distribution of lease information to appropriate departments.
  • Manage subtenant process.
  • Act as liaison to field and corporate support center staff in answering lease related questions and inquiries.

Education/Training/Experience

  • College degree, paralegal certificate or other post-secondary degree required.
  • 3 years minimum experience in Real Estate, Legal, Lease Management or related fields
  • Ability to read and comprehend legal documents such as Leases, Estoppels, etc.
  • Excellent computer skills (Word, Outlook, Excel).

Network & Systems Engineer

Location: Minnesota Corporate Headquarters

Position Code: NSE

Date: Jun 06, 2008

Position Description: Support IT and business initiatives to standardize technologies and processes within the company. Install, maintain and support computer communication networks within an organization or between organizations and business systems used by the organization. Ensure the smooth operation of networks and systems in order to provide maximum performance and availability for users (staff, clients, customers, suppliers, etc).

Working under the guidance of the department manager, the responsibility of this position includes overall conceptualization, justification, implementation and coordination of the IT infrastructure. This includes planning, requirements definition, scheduling, developing technical designs/specifications, acquiring & implementing solutions, and potential for supervising other members of the team.

This role also provides support for escalations coming from the IT Service Desk or other IT functions.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Planning, scheduling and tracking of network and systems infrastructure enforcing rigorous configuration management and systems documentation practices.
  • Ensuring that all IT equipment complies with industry standard.
  • Complying with the Company's change management processes and procedures.
  • Installing, supporting and maintaining new server hardware, software infrastructure and network devices.
  • Allocating network resources and monitoring network usage.
  • Ensuring the most cost-effective and efficient use of servers.
  • Suggesting and providing IT solutions to business and management problems.
  • Analyzing and resolving faults escalated from the IT Service Desk.
  • Undertaking routine preventative measures and implementing, maintaining and monitoring network security.
  • Providing training and technical support for users with varying levels of IT knowledge and competence.
  • Working closely with other departments/organizations and collaborating with other IT staff.
  • Managing the corporate data center..
  • Monitoring the use of the web and corporate databases by employees.
  • Providing on-going training to the IT Service Desk.
  • Working with vendors as necessary to meet requirements.
  • Planning and implementing future IT infrastructure and undertaking project work.
  • Ensuring smooth/efficient operations and availability of network and systems infrastructure:
    • Administration of network devices (hubs, routers, switches, firewalls, etc.)
    • Administration and maintenance of mission critical application, web and database servers (predominantly Microsoft, some Linux) hosted mainly within the company's data center, some hosted externally.
    • Administration of email servers for company-wide email and for management of email handling systems for clients across many domains.
    • Maintenance of existing Anti-Spam, anti-virus and content filtering systems and setting new policies as necessary.
    • Administration of primary DNS.
    • Administration of remote access systems (VPN, Citrix, etc.)
    • Escalation support for team member computer systems (desktops & laptops)
    • Store WiFi environment.
    • VMWare Virtualization environment.
  • Ensure IT security is maintained:
    • Firewall administration and overall internal network security.
    • Administration of SPAM, Virus and IDS systems.
    • Facilitate Quarterly and Annual Network Vulnerability/Penetration Scans
    • DB Gateway (Imperva) administration
    • PCI & SOX compliance requirements (Network, Systems, Security)
  • Insuring network and systems architecture addresses application and business systems requirements.
  • Keeping abreast of new technologies and industry best practices in order to continue to improve IT capabilities

Education/Training/Experience:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering / Computer Sciences (Master's preferred) or related field or equivalent experience.
  • Experience in manufacturing, fulfillment/distribution and/or retail operations environments.
  • Self-managed proactive work style, experience managing people and resources (teams of 3-5 staff) and excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to interact effectively with all levels in the company.
  • Understanding of all aspects of ITIL IT Service Management Framework.
  • Technical, analytical, and problem solving skills with a high attention to detail.
  • Ability to provide organization, planning, and resource management for staff.
  • Decisive decision-making, negotiation skills, relationship management skills, prioritization skills and the ability to multi-task are essential.
  • Must have self-initiative and a solid foundation in business application development.

Senior Director of Real Estate

Location: Minnesota Corporate Headquarters

Position Code: SDRE

Date: Feb 29, 2008

Position Description: To deliver first class, quality real estate locations for new stores that meet quarterly opening objectives in all markets. To lead and manage a team of qualified professionals who secure premium real estate to meet strategic growth requirements.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Monitor/manage New Site Approval process for company and franchised stores
    • Support real estate team in preparing site submittal packages
    • Manage the municipal approval process with team
    • Trouble shoot key development and/or approval issues
    • Establish due diligence procedures on new sites
    • Ensure new sites meet projected returns
  • Participate in the selection of new markets, implement market penetration strategies
    • Manage the evolution and make improvements to the Caribou site selection model
    • Analyze and compare market selection alternatives
    • Prepare market recommendations for Board approval
    • Identify and pursue key opportunities and relationships to drive market penetration strategies
  • Manage existing portfolio
    • Implement three year strategic plan for existing portfolio
    • Track and negotiate renewals and options terms
    • Review, analyze and obtain approval to process renewals.
    • Develop budgets for remodels
  • New Store Design/Construction Project Management
    • Partner with Construction team on the design and construction of new stores and remodels
    • Complete preliminary site feasibility and due diligence work
  • Miscellaneous duties and company leadership
    • Participate in other Caribou Task Force or Teams, providing insights from the Real Estate perspective
    • Participate in Senior Management Team meetings and decisions
    • Exert leadership and influence beyond departmental issues to improve the company overall
    • Write and deliver annual performance reviews
    • Recruit, hire and train all direct reports
    Education/Training/Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in real estate, engineering, architecture, business administration, or related field, and ten (10) years experience as a Real Estate Manager or Director. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Principal Accountabilities:

  • Must possess clear written and verbal communications
  • Complete understanding of the retail store development process
  • Understanding of real estate, construction and design terminology
  • Basic knowledge of the retail business (P&L, labor, COGS, growth strategy, etc.)
  • Basic understanding of various vendor categories required to purchase goods or services to deliver a new store
  • Ability to lead and manage a team or work group
  • Able to manage numerous complex projects concurrently
  • Excellent presentation and meeting management skills
  • Skilled at negotiations and able to employ various tactics
  • Organize and write procedures in a logical, methodical manner
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Ability to maintain confidential information
  • Adhere to company policies and procedures
  • Perform work in a timely and professional manner
  • Highly motivated, self-directed, and results driven
  • Detail oriented with strong organizational skills
  • Able to take direction and follow through multi-step project steps/procedures consistently
  • Proven track record of successfully managing multiple priorities in a fast paced work environment
  • Strong real estate relationships within the industry, to include knowledge of “key players�? in the marketplace

Application Programmer / Analyst II

Location: Minnesota Corporate Headquarters

Position Code: APAII

Date: May 21, 2008

Position Description: The Application Programmer / Analyst II is responsible for technical requirements definition, documentation, implementation, and testing of Web and Windows Forms based .Net applications used for Caribou Coffee business systems. This includes review of requirements specifications, writing technical specifications, coding of solutions, and testing developed solutions.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Day-To-Day Functions
    • Observe and comply with established software build, coding and archiving procedures, software documentation standards, SDLC, and testing methodologies.
    • Analysis, technical requirements definition, and design of application and interface components necessary to deliver web and windows forms based information product applications.
    • Build and test components.
    • Work with the team to support software questions/issues encountered by customer implementers and end-users.
    • Work with Project Managers to track development projects.
    • Responsible and accountable for the quality of all development.
  • Skills and Required Experience
    • Microsoft .NET Framework Knowledge:
      • C#, Windows and ASP.NET Forms 3+ years
      • .NET Framework 2.0 2+ years
      • Database integration using ADO.NET 3+ years
      • User Controls 2+ years
      • Java Script 3+ years
    • Database Knowledge
      • MS SQL Server 3+ years
      • Using stored procedures
      • Using user defined functions
      • ADO.NET
    • Experience with the Tools
      • VisualStudio 2005
      • Dreamweaver
      • PhotoShop CS
      • Subversion or Visual SourceSafe
      • MS Office tools
    • Minimum Familiarity with Advanced Technologies
      • Forms-based authentication systems
      • ASP.NET 2.0 Application, Session and & Http Cookie objects
      • N-Tier architecture & design
      • IIS Configuration
      • XML Web services
      • AJAX
      • Visual Studio .NET debugger
      • Oracle database systems and tools
      • Microsoft Great Plains ERP systems
      • Point-Of-Sale systems
    • Assumed Skills
      • Advanced HTML skills
      • Advanced JavaScript skills
      • Confident in using Cascading Style Sheets
      • Confident in Design and Development of user interfaces
    • Team/Communication Skills
      • Able to follow directions/specifications
      • Show initiative while good judgment when to ask for clarification
      • Can assist in creating functional specification
    Education/Training/Experience:
  • BA in Computer Science with five years of Windows and Web Forms development experience.
  • Extensive experience with Microsoft .NET framework development platforms
  • Technical skills such as SOA, OOD, Web Services, middleware, ESB, relational databases, etc.
  • Must have a "can do" attitude and a solid foundation in business application development.
  • MCSD would be a plus.

Senior Director of Product Development

Location: Minnesota Corporate Headquarters

Position Code: SDPD

Date: Nov 20, 2007

Position Description: The Senior Director of Product Development is responsible for leading and managing the development of all new beverage and food products - and the refinement and extension of existing products - for Caribou Coffee retail stores. He/she is accountable for driving retail store revenues/profits by increasing ticket and traffic counts by providing best in class, forward thinking food and beverage offerings. He/she is responsible for leading the strategic thinking and planning efforts around food and beverage product developments, and for leading the cross-functional product management team. He/she is also accountable for overseeing the product approvals and guidelines for Caribou Coffee franchise partners.

Responsibilities include:

  • Strategically manages the development of the Caribou Coffee beverage and food product portfolio
    • Strategically allocates development resources among product categories to maximize total sales and profit.
    • Maximizes profitability of product offering - strategically considers implications of new products on revenues and costs (including waste)
    • Leads the strategic thinking and planning for beverage and food product categories
    • Develops and maintains strong relationships and full understanding of retail store operations platform and processes; develops products which will most successfully be delivered from our retail stores
    • Responsible for the development of the annual product development plan and budget
    • Works with SVP of Marketing and other Directors of the marketing team on strategic planning and integration of the strategic and annual plan with retail store operations and support operations.
    • Integrates beverage and food developments with coffee sourcing and roasting developments and processes. Works closely with coffee team to ensure consistent quality for all product offerings and integration of core products, ingredients, etc. as appropriate.
  • Leads cross-functional product management team on the creation and execution of beverage and food products
    • Leads the cross-functional product management team including SMEs from product development, marketing, sourcing, quality assurance, finance, logistics, retail store operations, distribution, coffee sourcing, production, and training.
    • Leads the ongoing Product Pipeline/Strategy meetings with senior management.
    • Facilitates the Product Management Implementation team meetings
    • Develops, maintains and measures core and support product development processes that deliver effective and efficient products to Caribou Coffee retail stores.
    • Leads by example and creates strong, interdependent and well-functioning work teams.
    • Serves as liaison to senior management/officers for strategy developments, ongoing executive updates, prioritization of initiatives, escalation of roadblocks, etc.
  • Develops and leads the Product Development team on the planning and execution of new products and existing products improvement
    • Seeks out and identifies product/flavor trends and best practices in product development
    • Leads competitive product analysis and evaluates market opportunities based on the competitive landscape.
    • Partners successfully with Marketing, Sourcing, Quality Assurance, Retail Operations, Training and other key departments to develop new products
    • Participates and ensures extended team is successfully working within the cross-functional product management processes.
    • Is responsible for the creation, planning and logistics of product specific roadmaps; develops and manages a comprehensive product roadmap and product pipeline.
    • Prioritize enhancements and new products to be developed.
    • Leads development of product concepting working with product marketing and based on customer insights and product trends.
    • Proactively engages with senior management to provide recommendations on product developments; and keep them informed on business opportunities and issues.
    • Ensures team is aligned and engaged with Quality Assurance and Sourcing on the selection, integration and ongoing management of 3rd party supplier partners.
    • Leads development of product tests working in conjunction with product marketing and 3rd party research entities.
    • Successfully utilizes supplier partners to gain knowledge about products trends, new product ideas, product improvements, etc.
    • Responsible for customizing products as necessary to particular international/non-traditional venues.
    • Develops product guidelines and standards for Caribou Coffee franchise locations; leads and maintains approval processes for ongoing product developments or refinements required for Caribou Coffee franchise locations
  • Responsible for ongoing management of the Product Development function and team
    • Seeks out, analyzes and identifies best practices in product development; educates Caribou Coffee team members on new opportunities and solutions.
    • Manages, coaches and mentors direct reports as well as other marketing team members, as appropriate.
    • Responsible for ongoing competitive product analysis and review; ensure team members are subject matter expert (SME) on competitive product.
    • Provides ongoing performance feedback and annual evaluations on a timely basis for all direct reports.
    Education/Training/Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Marketing and/or culinary degree required with Master's degree preferred. Minimum 10 years of previous Corporate Chef/R&D management experience; extensive beverage experience, preferred. Experience working with national restaurant chain and/or multi-unit operators of businesses similar to Caribou coffee required. Also much have solid experience working with cross functional teams in bringing new and revised products to market including marketing, operations, training, finance and purchasing. Process training (i.e. Six Sigma, LEAN) certification or training a plus.