Global coffeehouse chain Starbucks has announced a significant leadership change in its technology division, naming Anand Varadarajan as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The appointment is a key part of the company's ongoing technology transformation strategy.
From Amazon to Starbucks: A Tech Veteran Takes Charge
Anand Varadarajan is set to officially assume the role of Executive Vice President and CTO on January 19. He will report directly to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol and will join the Executive Leadership Team. Varadarajan fills the position left vacant after the retirement of Deb Hall Lefevre in September 2023.
Varadarajan brings a wealth of experience from a 19-year tenure at e-commerce giant Amazon. In his most recent role, he was responsible for spearheading technology and supply chain operations for Amazon's worldwide grocery business. His career also includes earlier stints as a software engineer at Oracle and roles at several startups, including a senior software engineer position at Viquity Inc. between 1999 and 2001.
An IIT Madras Alumnus with a Passion for Coffee and Running
The new Starbucks CTO has strong academic roots in India. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. He further pursued higher education in the United States, earning a master's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and another master's degree in computer science from the University of Washington.
In an internal message, CEO Brian Niccol highlighted Varadarajan's customer-centric approach and his ability to build reliable, secure, and scalable systems. Niccol also shared personal tidbits, noting that Varadarajan is an avid runner aiming to complete all seven World Marathon Majors and a self-professed coffee enthusiast who often starts his day with a tall latte or brewed coffee.
Driving Starbucks' "Tech Revamp" Forward
This appointment is central to Starbucks' broader "tech revamp" initiative. The company aims to use technology to streamline operations, improve labour efficiency, and enhance the experience for both baristas and customers. Varadarajan's extensive background in managing complex technology and supply chain systems at scale is expected to be a major asset in this endeavour.
Niccol expressed confidence in Varadarajan's ability to accelerate the company's technological efforts. He also thanked Ningyu Chen for serving as the interim CTO and Cathy Smith for her oversight during the transition period. The leadership expects Varadarajan to build upon the existing work and help deliver an improved technological backbone for the global coffee brand.
