Manager of Digital Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Manager of Digital Product Strategy

Company: Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Digital Product Strategy / Operations

Date Posted: August 13, 2025

Experience Level: 6+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute comprehensive digital product strategies to drive business growth and enhance customer satisfaction.

• Lead and mentor cross-functional product teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and agile development.

• Collaborate with IT, UX, and business stakeholders to define and implement features that optimize customer engagement, security, and digital-to-physical experiences.

• Manage a data-driven product roadmap, leveraging internal agile teams and external vendors to deliver innovative digital solutions.

• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for digital products, including customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and revenue impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits at the intersection of product management and operational strategy, requiring a strong understanding of how digital initiatives translate into tangible business outcomes and improved operational efficiency. The "Manager" title suggests a focus on strategic planning, team leadership, and stakeholder management rather than purely execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and execute strategies to drive growth and improve customer satisfaction for digital CX products.

• Lead multiple marketing product teams and foster a culture of continuous development and agile best practices.

• Collaborate with IT and business groups to develop features that enable customer engagement, maintain account privacy, security, and compliance, enable digital payments and e-commerce, and create digital-to-real-world experiences.

• Own and manage a data-driven product roadmap, supported by in-house agile development teams, third-party software platforms, and consulting agencies.

• Outline and monitor key growth KPIs, such as customer satisfaction scores, product adoption rates, and revenue growth.

• Manage technology contract usage and cost, and negotiate terms to support future growth and operational efficiency.

• Advise executives and leaders, working closely with cross-functional stakeholders including IT leaders, developers, designers, UX researchers, and business analysts.

• Stay updated with the latest digital trends and technologies to identify new areas of opportunity and innovation for operational enhancement.

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and manage risks associated with digital products, impacting operational adherence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities lean heavily into strategic planning, stakeholder management, and driving operational improvements through digital product development. The emphasis on "digital-to-real-world experiences" and "customer engagement" highlights a need for understanding how digital products support physical operations and customer interaction points.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Computer Science, MIS, Marketing, or equivalent experience and/or certification.

• An advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6+ years in product management or digital strategy roles, with a track record of successfully developing and executing digital strategies.

• Proven experience with agile methodology, including Scrum.

Required Skills:

• High level of technical acumen to lead multi-platform development and understand system integrations.

• Strong product management expertise, including roadmap development, prioritization, and lifecycle management.

• Proficient in agile development methodologies and principles, with experience as a Scrum Product Owner.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for stakeholder management and strategy articulation.

• Strong time management and organization skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Keen attention to detail for accurate strategy documentation and KPI monitoring.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, process-driven agile environment.

• Adaptability and ability to adjust plans on-the-fly.

• Ability to work under tight deadlines.

• Knowledge of payment systems, security, and processing.

• Understanding of databases, systems integration, and application development.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the retail or travel services industry.

• Familiarity with customer experience (CX) platforms and strategies.

• Experience managing technology contracts and vendor negotiations.

• Knowledge of UX research principles and their application in product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level and skill set suggest a mid-to-senior level role focused on strategic operations. The blend of technical acumen, business process design, and agile experience is critical for success. The preference for CSPO/PMP indicates a structured approach to product development and project execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of digital product strategies developed and executed, demonstrating a clear link to business objectives and ROI.

• Present case studies of successful product launches or feature enhancements, highlighting the strategic thinking, development process, and outcomes.

• Include documentation of business process improvements or redesigns facilitated by digital product initiatives.

• Demonstrate experience in managing product roadmaps, prioritizing features based on data and business value, and communicating these plans to stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document complex business processes and translate them into requirements for digital product development.

• Experience in defining workflows for customer journeys, payment processing, and digital-to-physical integrations.

• Familiarity with creating user stories and acceptance criteria within an agile framework.

• Understanding of compliance and security protocols related to digital product development and data management.

📝 Enhancement Note: A portfolio demonstrating strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, and successful execution of digital initiatives is crucial. Highlighting experience in process design and optimization, especially within an agile context, will be key. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the operational impact and business value of their past projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for a Manager of Digital Product Strategy with 6+ years of experience in Oklahoma City, OK, the estimated annual salary range is $100,000 - $130,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Oklahoma City, the experience level required, and the strategic nature of the role within a large retail/travel organization.

Benefits:

• Fuel Your Growth with Love's - company funded tuition assistance.

• Paid Time Off.

• 401(k) – 100% Match up to 5%.

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance after 30 days.

• Competitive Pay.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours for this position are likely 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time corporate role. However, given the nature of product management and agile development, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines, collaborate with teams across different time zones, or address critical operational issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on national and regional averages for similar roles and companies. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and negotiation. The benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with industry standards for a large employer.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel Stops & Country Stores (Retail/Hospitality/Fuel Services)

Company Size: Nearly 40,000 team members.

Founded: 1964. Headquartered in Oklahoma City.

Team Structure:

• The Digital Product Strategy team likely operates within a broader Digital or Technology division, collaborating closely with IT, Marketing, Operations, and Business Units.

• This role involves leading multiple "marketing product teams," suggesting a structure where product managers or teams are aligned to specific digital products or customer journeys.

Methodology:

• Data-driven approach to product development and strategy, using KPIs to measure success and inform future decisions.

• Agile methodology is central to the development process, with in-house agile teams and potential use of third-party software platforms and consulting agencies.

• Focus on innovation to identify new opportunities and improve customer experiences.

• Emphasis on collaboration and continuous development within product teams.

Company Website: https://www.loves.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Love's is a large, family-owned business with a strong presence in the travel and fuel industry. The culture likely balances a family-oriented approach with the operational rigor of a large corporation. The emphasis on innovation and customer experience suggests a forward-thinking digital strategy team.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a managerial-level position, indicating a significant level of responsibility in strategic planning, execution oversight, and team leadership within the digital product domain. It's a mid-to-senior management role that contributes directly to the company's operational efficiency and customer engagement strategies.

Reporting Structure:

The Manager of Digital Product Strategy will likely report to a Director or Vice President of Digital Products, Product Management, or a related technology/strategy leadership role. They will manage product teams and collaborate extensively with various cross-functional departments.

Operations Impact:

The role has a direct impact on Love's operations by:

• Enhancing customer experience through digital products, which can improve loyalty, transaction volume, and operational throughput.

• Driving revenue growth through optimized digital channels and e-commerce capabilities.

• Improving internal operational efficiency by integrating digital solutions with physical store operations and business processes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in digital product strategy, agile methodologies, and customer experience design within a large-scale retail environment.

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to lead and mentor product teams, developing management and strategic leadership skills.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broad exposure to various business functions, understanding how digital strategy impacts different areas of the organization.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance into senior leadership roles such as Director of Digital Products, VP of Product Management, or similar strategic operational leadership positions.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to the digital transformation of a major player in the travel and fuel industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for professionals looking to make a strategic impact on a large organization's digital operations and customer engagement. The growth path suggests moving into broader leadership responsibilities within the digital or operational strategy functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Likely a corporate office environment, as the headquarters are in Oklahoma City. This suggests a professional setting conducive to strategic planning, team collaboration, and stakeholder meetings.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace that encourages collaboration with IT, marketing, UX, and business analysts. Team members will likely work together on product roadmaps, feature definitions, and problem-solving.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard corporate office technology, including computers, communication platforms, and potentially project management software tailored for agile development.

• Interaction Opportunities: Regular opportunities to interact with product teams, project managers, IT developers, designers, and business stakeholders, fostering a cross-functional learning environment.

Work Schedule: The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday, approximately 40 hours per week. However, given the demands of product management and agile development, there might be instances requiring extended hours or weekend availability to meet critical project milestones or address urgent operational issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is expected to be professional and collaborative, typical of a corporate headquarters. Candidates should be comfortable with a hybrid or on-site work arrangement and prepared for a fast-paced, results-oriented culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or recruiter will assess resume and basic qualifications, focusing on years of experience, industry relevance, and core skill alignment.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into experience, strategic approach, leadership style, and understanding of digital product management within an operational context. Expect questions about past successes, challenges, and how you've driven growth and customer satisfaction.

3. Panel/Team Interview: Interaction with key stakeholders (e.g., IT leads, business analysts, marketing counterparts) to assess collaboration skills, technical acumen, and fit with the team. This stage may include behavioral questions and scenario-based problem-solving.

4. Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: Candidates will likely be asked to present a portfolio showcasing their digital product strategy experience, focusing on how they've driven growth, improved customer satisfaction, and managed product roadmaps. A specific case study related to a business challenge or opportunity might be assigned.

5. Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership (e.g., Director/VP) to confirm strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with the company's vision and operational goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, your strategic solution, the methodology used (agile, process design), and the quantifiable results (e.g., % increase in customer satisfaction, % revenue growth, % reduction in operational friction).

• Showcase Strategy: Detail your process for developing product roadmaps, prioritizing features, and aligning digital initiatives with broader business and operational objectives.

• Highlight Collaboration: Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams (IT, UX, Marketing, Operations) to deliver digital products.

• Address Process Design: Include examples of business process mapping or redesign that were integral to your digital product strategies.

• Tailor to Love's: Research Love's digital presence and business model. Frame your experience and portfolio examples to demonstrate how you can contribute to their specific operational goals and customer engagement strategies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Thinking: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing a digital strategy for a specific Love's product or customer segment.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate scenario-based questions asking how you would handle common product management challenges, such as conflicting stakeholder priorities, unexpected technical issues, or underperforming KPIs.

• Agile Proficiency: Be ready to explain your understanding of agile principles and how you've applied them in practice, including your role as a Product Owner.

• Operational Acumen: Demonstrate an understanding of how digital products impact physical operations, customer service, and overall business efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes strategic thinking, collaboration, and tangible results. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly communicates the operational impact and business value of past projects will be a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or similar for backlog management, sprint planning, and documentation within an agile framework.

• Roadmapping Tools: Software for creating and managing product roadmaps (e.g., Productboard, Aha!, Roadmunk).

• Collaboration & Communication: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom for team communication and virtual meetings.

• Analytics & Reporting:

  • Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for tracking website and app performance.
  • Business Intelligence Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for data analysis, dashboard creation, and KPI monitoring.
  • Customer Feedback Tools: SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics for gathering customer satisfaction data.

• CRM & Automation:

  • CRM: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar for managing customer data and interactions.
  • Marketing Automation: HubSpot, Marketo, or similar for customer engagement campaigns.

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD for collaborating on user interface and user experience design.

• Payment Systems: Familiarity with payment gateways, processing, security, and compliance standards relevant to e-commerce and in-app payments.

• Systems Integration: Understanding of APIs, microservices, and integration patterns to connect various digital platforms and backend systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a suite of product management, analytics, CRM, and collaborative tools is expected. A strong understanding of how these systems integrate to support digital customer experiences and operational workflows is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Prioritizing customer satisfaction and seamless digital experiences that translate to positive real-world interactions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing analytics and KPIs to guide strategic planning, product development, and operational improvements.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging new ideas and a proactive approach to enhancing digital products and processes.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a collaborative environment where cross-functional teams work together to achieve common goals.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for product success, from strategy to execution and performance monitoring.

• Efficiency & Agility: Embracing agile methodologies to adapt quickly to market changes and deliver value efficiently.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Active collaboration with IT, marketing, UX, and business operations teams is essential to ensure digital products align with company-wide strategies and operational capabilities.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback loops for reviewing processes, products, and strategies to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the sharing of best practices, insights, and learnings across teams to foster collective growth and operational excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values data-driven strategies, customer-centricity, and collaborative execution. Successful candidates will need to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to continuous learning and process optimization within a dynamic team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Digital and Physical Operations: Effectively bridging the gap between digital customer experiences and the physical operations of Love's travel stops and stores.

• Rapidly Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying ahead of technological advancements and evolving customer expectations in the digital space.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Aligning the strategies and priorities of various departments (IT, Marketing, Operations, Finance) to a unified digital product vision.

• Data Integration and Utilization: Consolidating and leveraging data from disparate systems to gain actionable insights for product strategy and operational improvements.

• Scalability: Ensuring digital solutions can scale effectively with Love's continued business growth.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to industry events, workshops, and training programs focused on digital product management, CX, and emerging technologies.

• Specialized Certifications: Support for pursuing certifications like CSPO, PMP, or other relevant credentials.

• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to learn from experienced leaders within Love's and gain insights into strategic operational management.

• Cross-Functional Projects: Involvement in projects that provide exposure to different business units, enhancing understanding of the overall organizational operations.

• Leadership Development Programs: Structured programs to develop leadership, strategic thinking, and management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents challenges typical of digital transformation in large, established companies. Overcoming these challenges offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development in strategic operations and leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a digital product strategy from inception to execution. How do you ensure it aligns with overall business and operational goals?"

• "Walk us through a time you had to prioritize competing product features or initiatives. What criteria did you use, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you measure the success of digital products, and what KPIs do you typically focus on for driving customer satisfaction and revenue growth?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Love's Travel Stops and this specific role?"

• "How do you foster a collaborative environment within product teams and with cross-functional stakeholders?"

• "Describe your experience working within an agile framework. What is your philosophy on agile development and your role as a Product Owner?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio into clear case studies, each detailing a specific project. For each case study: Problem -> Strategy/Process -> Execution -> Results (quantified).

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business value and operational impact of your work, using metrics whenever possible.

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Emphasize why you made certain strategic decisions and how they contributed to achieving desired outcomes.

• Showcase Process: Include examples of process design, roadmap management, and collaboration methods used.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key achievements efficiently, focusing on the most relevant experiences for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your strategic approach, data-driven methodologies, and ability to collaborate effectively. Your portfolio should clearly demonstrate your impact on business growth and operational efficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Love's jobs portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights experience in product management, digital strategy, agile methodologies, business process design, and quantifiable achievements related to growth and customer satisfaction. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your best work that showcases digital product strategy development, execution, and impact. Focus on case studies that demonstrate strategic thinking, data-driven decisions, and cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to discuss the operational implications of your projects.

• Research Love's: Understand Love's business model, customer base, current digital presence, and strategic goals. This research will help you tailor your application and interview responses.

• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare answers to common product management and behavioral interview questions, focusing on STAR method responses that highlight relevant skills and experiences.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores before making application decisions.