Marci Hulbert-Neste

About Marci Hulbert-Neste

With over a decade of experience in sourcing and supply chain, I currently serve as Senior Sourcing Manager at Starbucks, leveraging expertise in cost management, supplier relationships, and strategic sourcing to drive impactful results. Passionate about fostering supplier collaboration and transparency, I aim to align procurement strategies with organizational goals to enable sustainable growth and operational efficiency. My mission is to create value-added connections between suppliers and internal teams, bringing diverse perspectives to enhance financial and strategic initiatives. At Starbucks, I have contributed to key initiatives such as enhancing supplier cost transparency and optimizing procurement processes across external manufacturing categories. By facilitating supplier transitions, improving waste reduction strategies, and fostering competitive raw material purchasing, our team achieved measurable cost savings and created a scalable framework for future success. Collaborating with internal and external partners, I continue to support the organization in building resilient supply chains and unlocking supplier potential.

Experience

1. Senior Sourcing Manager (Beverage Components)

   Starbucks

   Mar 2023 — Present

   Executed ~20% cost savings through a concentration project. Savings were captured across multiple business segments; transportation, warehouse, store operation, and procurement costs-Reduce reliance on a long-term complacent supplier. The shift increased supplier competition; resulting in optimized cost ($2M savings,$3M cost avoidance), enhanced service levels, reduced supply risk and agility in a dynamic market environment-Launched the first holistic beverage R&D session, leading to a streamlined R&D process and created more synergy between suppliers of different categories; refresher base, inclusions and flavor houses.

Education

• Study Abroad, Macquarie University

  International Business, Bachelor of Arts International Business

  2005 — 2005

• Washington State University

  Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration; International Business

  2003 — 2006