Starbucks said Friday it plans an unspecified number of layoffs as it restructures its corporate staff. In a letter to employees, Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said the Seattle coffee giant needs to ensure all work has a clear and accountable owner who can make decisions. The company also needs to reduce complexity and silos.

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said on Friday the coffee giant will cut jobs to optimize its support teams as part of the company's ongoing turnaround efforts. The details of the job cuts, to be announced by early March,

Niccol noted steps taken in the US and Canada since he took over in September, including the return of the condiment stations, and eliminating the up-charge for alternative milk. It also set a goal to get customers their handcrafted beverage in four minutes or less, and add shifts in over 3,000 stores.

Starbucks said it expects to eliminate jobs, without affecting in-store teams, as part of its broader effort to operate more efficiently.