Food and Beverage Product Technologist

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores•Oklahoma City, OK

About The Position

Welcome to Love's! The Food & Beverage Technologist plays a pivotal role in the Love’s Fresh Kitchen strategy, driving the creation of craveable, trend-forward products that delight guests and fuel business growth.

Requirements

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or a related field preferred.
2 years of experience in product development at a foodservice chain or manufacturer preferred.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Passion for learning and applying emerging industry trends.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; occasional bending, kneeling, stooping, climbing, and ladder use.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
Willingness to travel regionally and nationally as needed.
Comfortable working in temperature extremes (e.g., walk-in coolers, ovens, fryers)

Responsibilities

Product Development
Support the Love’s Fresh Kitchen team and the Manager of Food & Beverage Innovation to deliver new limited-time offers that follow current operational capabilities to drive business results.
Design and develop innovative products tailored to guest preferences, guided by insight-driven briefs and the established innovation process.
Ensure all products meet corporate objectives, dietary requirements, and nutritional standards.
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to repurpose existing ingredients and streamline store operations.
Partner cross-functionally to enhance product quality, packaging, and cost efficiency.
Food Safety & Quality Assurance
Work with third-party quality assurance partners to validate product hold times and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Support Category Management in resolving supply chain-related food safety or quality issues.
Collaborate with the Implementation team during product validation phases.
Relationship Building
Foster strong cross-functional collaboration and build lasting relationships across teams.
Maintain productive partnerships with food suppliers and vendors.
Commercialize proprietary products with vendors when needed.
Event Planning
Lead and support product presentations for internal stakeholders and external events.
Conduct consumer testing to validate product excellence and guest appeal.
Organization & Documentation
Maintain lab conditions and ensure all equipment is clean and operational.
Manage ingredient inventory and sourcing through vendors, distributors, and local retailers.
Document recipes, specifications, and feedback using project management tools.
Adaptability & Industry Awareness
Stay informed on industry trends, culinary techniques, and evolving dietary preferences.
Demonstrate attention to detail, curiosity, and a proactive mindset.
Manage multiple projects with strong prioritization and execution skills.
Compliance
Ensure adherence to health and safety regulations and food handling/storage guidelines.
Stay current with local, state, and federal food service regulations.