Food and Beverage Research & Development

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

4d

About The Position

Welcome to Love's! The Food & Beverage Technologist plays a pivotal role in the Love’s Fresh Kitchen team by assisting with the technical validation of recipes and providing hands-on product testing support. This role focuses on ensuring products are executed accurately, consistently, and safely through structured testing, documentation, and collaboration with cross-functional partners.

Requirements

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or a related field preferred.
• 0-2 years of experience in foodservice 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

• Assist in validating recipes through bench testing, hold-time testing, and operational simulations.
• Support product testing to confirm that taste, texture, yield, and consistency meet established specifications.
• Follow standardized testing protocols to ensure repeatable and reliable results.
• Document formulation changes, observations, and outcomes during testing phases.
• Prepare products for internal tastings, validation sessions, and cross-functional reviews.
• Support sensory evaluations and compile feedback from stakeholders.
• Assist with limited-time offer (LTO) testing to ensure products align with current operational capabilities.
• Help identify execution risks and flag inconsistencies during testing.
• Support food validation efforts, including product hold-time and temperature testing
• Work alongside third-party quality partners and internal teams during product validation
• Assist in addressing product quality or food safety concerns related to ingredients or processes
• Accurately document recipes, specifications, test results, and feedback using project management tools.
• Maintain organized records to support product approvals and implementation readiness.
• Assist in managing ingredient inventory for testing, including sourcing from vendors and local retailers.
• 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.
• Maintain clean, organized, and food-safe lab conditions.
• Ensure testing equipment is properly cleaned, set up, and ready for use.
• Follow all safety, sanitation, and handling procedures.
• Support the Manager of Food & Beverage Innovation and Implementation teams during testing and validation phases.
• Collaborate with Category Management, Implementation, and Quality teams as needed.
• Communicate test results and observations clearly and professionally.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree