Shop Systems & Continuous Improvement Specialist

It's fun to work in a company where people truly believe in what they are doing. At Dutch Bros Coffee, we are more than just a coffee company. We are a fun-loving, mind-blowing company that makes a difference one cup at a time.

Position Overview

The Shop Systems & Continuous Improvement Specialist supports the execution of product, process, and equipment testing within the company’s in-house test kitchen. This role supports the design, execution, and analysis of product, process, and equipment testing within the company’s in-house test kitchen and mock shop environments.

The Specialist partners with the Manager of Shop Systems and Continuous Improvement to evaluate operational innovations, interpret test results, and provide insights that inform scalable shop systems, workflows, and equipment solutions for the field.

Key Result Areas

Test Kitchen Operations & Support:

• Maintain operational readiness of the Test Kitchen and Mock Shop to support cross-functional testing initiatives
• Execute daily setup, breakdown, and cleanliness standards for the Test Kitchen and Mock Shop
• Coordinate test environment setup to accurately replicate field conditions and operational workflows
• Monitor equipment functionality and escalate opportunities for improvement or maintenance
• Maintain inventories of ingredients, equipment, smallwares, and testing supplies as directed
• Follow food safety, test kitchen SOP’s, and OSHA guidelines within the test kitchen
• Support scheduled kitchen usage for R&D, Operations, and Training teams
• Assist with basic equipment maintenance, coordination, and calibration scheduling
• Collaborate with Operations, Product Development, Training, and Equipment teams to support testing and operational innovation

Product and Process Testing Execution:

• Analyze test outcomes and identify operational implications for shop workflows, equipment, or processes
• Synthesize testing observations into structured feedback for Operations, Product, and Training teams
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to refine testing protocols and evaluation criteria
• Identify operational risks, inefficiencies, or scalability challenges discovered during testing
• Execute product, process, and workflow tests as outlined
• Set up stations to replicate field conditions based on provided guidance
• Support time studies, ergonomic observations, and deviations in testing logs
• Assist with pre-field validation documentation and photo/video capture
• Communicate testing results and insights to stakeholders in clear and actionable formats

Testing & Validation Support for Broista Centric Solutions:

• Assist with in-kitchen testing of equipment, tools, and layouts
• Support voice of the customer efforts by gathering and documenting tester and stakeholder feedback before, during, and after testing following established protocols
• Facilitate voice-of-the-customer insights during testing by collecting, synthesizing, and summarizing feedback from testers and stakeholders
• Translate field feedback into actionable observations to inform product, equipment, and process decisions
• Support mock deployments and controlled trials of equipment and processes
• Flag issues, inconsistencies, or safety concerns to leadership
• Coordinate with vendors as needed

Operational Insight & Continuous Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve shop workflows, equipment usability, or testing processes based on observations during testing
• Provide recommendations that support the evolution of shop systems and operational best practices
• Contribute to documentation and knowledge sharing that enables scalable operational improvements

Skills

• Test planning, execution, and documentation
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Ability to follow established procedures
• Creative problem solving
• Technical and Equipment Aptitude
• Time and task management within assigned priorities
• Operational testing design and evaluation
• Data interpretation and insight development
• Process improvement methodology (Lean / CI exposure)
• Field operations awareness and workflow analysis
• Stakeholder communication and test result presentation
• Job Qualifications

Required

• 2-4 years of experience in food service operations, product development, or equipment testing. QSR or coffee industry experience preferred
• Exposure to QSR, coffee, or high-volume foodservice environments preferred
• Working knowledge of basic equipment operations and innovation processes
• Experience following testing protocols and documenting results accurately

Preferred

Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Science, Food Technology, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Location Requirement:

• This role may require occasional travel
• This role is located in the Greater Phoenix area
• This position is required to be in office 4 days per week (Mon-Thurs); Fridays are optional remote work days
• Physical Requirements
• In-Office Environment: Must be able to work in a busy, crowded, and loud office with frequent distractions and interruptions
• Must be able to collaborate in-person with occasional impromptu in-person meetings
• Office Conditions: Adaptability to typical office conditions, which may include exposure to air conditioning, heating, artificial lighting, and varying noise levels
• Mobility : Ability to sit, stand, reach, twist, stretch, and work at a desk for long stretches.  Must be able to occasionally move or lift office items up to 25 pounds

Hearing Requirements: Hearing must be sufficient or correctable to ensure clear understanding of spoken information, including participating in virtual meetings and phone calls. Use of hearing aids or other assistive devices is acceptable if needed.

Reading and Writing Proficiency: Ability to read and write in English is essential for processing documents, drafting reports, and following up on necessary actions. Proficiency in written communication is required to handle job-related tasks effectively.

Vision Requirements: Vision must be adequate or correctable to perform essential job duties, such as reading documents on a computer screen and using other visual tools. Use of corrective lenses or other measures to meet visual requirements is expected if needed.

Technology Proficiency: Must be proficient in operating a computer and other office productivity tools such as printers, scanners, and collaboration software.

Effective Communication: Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with team members, clients, and other stakeholders via email, video conferencing, and other in office communication tools.