Product Application Specialist

Job Title Product Application Specialist (Beverage) Role Summary We're seeking a Product Application Specialist to support beverage innovation through hands-on recipe blending, structured sensory/taste panels, customer needs discovery, and market trend research. This role will be a key contributor to new product development, helping translate customer feedback and competitive insights into beverage concepts that are tested, refined, documented, and ready for development. Key Responsibilities Customer Communication & Needs Discovery Communicate directly with internal team members and existing customers to understand their beverage programs, menu goals, operational constraints, and product needs. Gather and document feedback on current products and new concepts (flavor, performance, preparation, packaging, price/value perception). Share insights internally and help translate them into clear development briefs and product opportunities. New Product Development (NPD) Contribution Serve as a strong hands-on contributor to NPD by ideating, building, and refining beverage concepts aligned with trends and customer needs. Prepare prototypes for internal review, incorporate feedback into iterative improvements. Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to align product performance, positioning, and readiness. Sensory & Taste Panel Execution (New, Existing, and Competitive) Plan and run taste panels for: Potential new beverage products in development Existing products in the current portfolio Competitive/benchmark products from the market Manage panel logistics: sample prep, blinding/labeling, serving procedures, timing, and panelist coordination. Create and maintain tasting tools (scorecards, sensory descriptors, preference questions) and compile results into clear summaries and recommendations. Beverage Blending & Recipe Documentation Confidently blend beverage recipes and prototypes (hot, iced, and blended applications as applicable). Conduct bench trials, adjusting ratios and methods to hit target flavor and performance. Accurately log recipes, iterations, and test conditions including ingredients, weights/volumes, process steps, equipment used, yield, and tasting notes. Maintain organized records to ensure repeatability and support scale-up and commercialization. Trend & Market Research (Trade Shows and Field Learning) Travel to relevant trade shows and industry events to stay current on trends in the coffeehouse and beverage space. Conduct structured market research: sampling, note-taking, photography (where permitted), and competitive tracking. Convert trend findings into internal insights, concept proposals, and test plans. Required Qualifications Experience in beverage applications, beverage formulation, product development support, barista beverage development, or sensory evaluation. High confidence in beverage blending and recipe development with strong attention to detail and consistency. Strong documentation skills (sensory results, customer notes, recipe logs, iteration tracking). Strong interpersonal skills—comfortable speaking with customers, asking discovery questions, and presenting recommendations. Willingness and ability to travel for trade shows and customer visits as needed. Ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously. Strong spreadsheet skills for tracking formulas, sensory data, and competitive comparisons. Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have) Prior experience running sensory panels (preference, difference, descriptive testing). Coffeehouse beverage experience (espresso-based drinks, syrups/sauces, dairy & alt-dairy systems, frozen/blended beverages). Familiarity with basic food safety and sample handling. Work Details Employment Type: Full-time, Mon–Fri Location: Onsite in Columbus, Ohio Travel: Occasional Reports To: Green Coffee Buyer #J-18808-Ljbffr