Product Development Manager (Maternity Cover)

Founded in 2003 by Dong Hyun Kim, his mission was simple, to make fresh and flavorsome sushi and bento available to everyone. Almost 20 years later Wasabi have 40 successful branches across London, other UK major cities and New York. The journey continued in 2019 with the launch of Wasabi Home Bento exclusively into Sainsburys. After several years of great success there, the grocery business expanded launching into Tesco in September 2022. Wasabi has now firmly established itself as the No2 chilled ready meal brand and a driver of significant market growth. And we’re just getting started. The leadership team have set out their 5 year strategy which encompasses company growth, franchise and international expansion.

Our menu is renowned for its distinctiveness, freshness and flavour. The cold food range of sushi, pokes and salads are made fresh daily in our branch kitchens and our hot bento, noodle bowls and soups offer an indulgent and comforting alternative to our broad and democratic demographic.

As we prepare for our next phase of growth and innovation, we have an incredibly exciting opportunity for a Product Development Manager(maternity cover) to join our Food Team based in Park Royal on a 4-5 months' contract.

The Role:

Reporting to the Food Director and having 1 direct report, the successful candidate will be responsible for the management of gate process for agreed launched projects and strategic input to the food roadmap for channel.
Key Responsibilities (but not limited to):

• Responsible for leading NPD & EPD projects across hot, cold, prepacked food and RTDs. (Grocery)
• Accountable for project managing the stage gate process from gate 1 to 5 (via (url removed)), ensuring input to gate meetings is delivered in a timely manner, and deliver the brief to targets, COGs, and feasibility.
• Accountable for all products launched to be in line with Wasabi standards and guidelines to meet food safety, quality and food vision standards and meet nutritional, additives and preservatives policies and ESG guidelines.
  
• Accountable for developing products and recipes according to Central Production Unit (CPU) capabilities and find best solutions to adapt and deliver desired outcome.
• Lead product presentations relevant to gates at various stages in critical path.
• Accountable for managing costings & collaborate with finance to validate final costings for all grocery NPD and EPD products.
• Responsible for providing accurate information for volume and forecasting MRP / S&OP with support from food product technologist
  
• Accountable for leading and owning NPD meetings, circulate meeting notes and follow up actions, prepare presentations for gate meetings, internal business plans and approval at each stage of the process including post launch reviews.
• Responsible for identifying new suppliers and strategic partners working with the procurement team and development chefs, identifying specialist suppliers of ingredients/ product that is not core or standard to wasabi, driving innovation and trends.
  
• Execute on the food NPD/ EPD strategy in line with Wasabi brand position and food vision.
• Support with the development and deliver of our 2 year+ NPD calendar in line with stage gate process.
• Identify, analyse, and present new Product Development opportunities with Food Director in brand portfolio with the marketing team.
  
• Share accountability for conducting research, competitor benchmarking and gap analysis working alongside senior development chef and food product technologist.
  
• Accountable for defining grocery product quality of raw materials, product make up specifications, packaging quality and final product quality post-delivery on sale to consumer.
• Accountable for leading bi-weekly grocery quality assessment, collect products, and review continuous quality and support strategically with improvement recommendations.
  

Our Requirements:

• Extensive FMCG food Product Development experience
• Experience in short – shelf life chilled, in a manufacturing environment essential
• Degree educated in food science, food technology or similar
• A foodie with a passion for Asian food and development
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent planning, organisational and commercial skills
• People management experience

In Return we provide:

• A great working environment
• Pension scheme
• Target Bonus
• Refer A Friend Scheme
• Free Sushi or hot food (vegan options available)
• 50% discount in our Branches
• Employee Assistant Programme
• Hybrid working model
• Long Service Awards
• Wagestream - a financial wellbeing benefit that lets you access your pay as you earn it in real time and manage savings
• Life Assurance
• Cycle To Work
• Free on-site parking
• A variety of discounts (shopping, food & drink, entertainment and health & fitness) through Perkbox and
• The opportunity to develop your skills within a growing company.

Our people make us who we are. If you're looking for an exciting challenge and this sounds like the job for you please apply today as we can't wait to hear from you.

COME ROLL WITH US!