Former Microsoft executive will replace Alstead on March 1.

Kevin Johnson will become president and chief operating officer for Starbucks Corporation, effective March 1. Johnson has been a Starbucks board member since 2009.

In addition to serving as a member of Starbucks senior leadership team, Johnson will continue to be a member of the coffee giant's board of directors. As president and chief operating officer, Johnson will lead the company's global operating businesses across the Americas, EMEA (Europe Middle East and Africa), and China/Asia Pacific, as well as Starbucks supply chain, information technology, and mobile and digital platforms. Reporting to Johnson will be Cliff Burrows, group president, U.S., Americas and Teavana; John Culver, group president, China/Asia Pacific, Channel Development and Emerging Brands; as well as other senior leaders responsible for Starbucks supply chain, mobile and digital, and information technology organizations.

This announcement comes a few weeks after Starbucks announced Starbucks chief operating officer and 23-year partner Troy Alstead will take a sabbatical beginning March 1 to spend more time with his family.

Johnson's background includes serving as chief executive officer of Juniper Networks, Inc., president of the Platforms Division at Microsoft Corporation and IBM.