New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Starbucks has announced the appointment of Anand Varadarajan, an Indian-origin technology leader, as its new executive vice president and chief technology officer, signaling a renewed focus on strengthening the company’s digital backbone.
Varadarajan will assume the role on January 19 and will work closely with Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol as a member of Starbucks’ Executive Leadership Team. He takes over from Deb Hall Lefevre, who stepped down from the position earlier this year after retiring in September.
Bringing with him extensive experience from Amazon, Varadarajan spent close to 19 years at the e-commerce giant, where he helped design and scale technology systems serving millions of customers. His most recent responsibility involved overseeing technology and supply chain operations for Amazon’s global grocery business. Prior to Amazon, he began his career at Oracle and also contributed to several early-stage technology ventures.
Starbucks said Varadarajan’s background in building resilient, high-performance platforms aligns with the company’s efforts to modernize operations and enhance digital engagement with customers worldwide. His expertise is expected to play a key role as Starbucks continues to invest in innovation across stores, supply chains, and digital services.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Varadarajan holds advanced degrees in civil engineering from Purdue University and computer science from the University of Washington.
The company noted that his appointment is aimed at accelerating technology-driven initiatives and supporting Starbucks’ long-term growth in an increasingly digital-first global marketplace.
