Product Development Manager

1 week ago


Park Royal, United Kingdom Wasabi Sushi & Bento Full time

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

  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Wasabi Sushi & Bento Full time

    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...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Wasabi Sushi & Bento Full time

    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...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Wasabi Sushi & Bento Full time

    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...

  • Production Manager

    4 weeks ago


    Park Royal, United Kingdom Greencore Full time

    You’ll continuously monitor raw materials, all operational processes and the overall production environment to ensure that all activity comply with food safety manufacturing standards. Effectively communicating with the operations team report progress against plan, highlighting any risks to the achievement of volumes and standards. Monitoring and...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Wasabi Sushi and Bento Full time

    **About Us** **We're Wasabi. We are Passionate, we are Adaptable, we are Responsible and we are a Team**! We're all about fresh and authentic, constantly working together to create a new, dynamic food experience. Our passion for food and art inspires us to continuously create new dishes to delight our customers. Join us and you'll have the opportunity to be...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom JMS Recruitment Full time

    We are currently looking on behalf of our client, A Sandwich Production Chef. This is exceptional opportunity for a talented and ambitious Head Sandwich and Salad Chef to spearhead the Catering team and the forthcoming Salad team within our production unit in West Acton. As the Head Sandwich and Salad Chef, you will oversee the production of various...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom JMS Recruitment Full time

    We are currently looking on behalf of our client, A Sandwich Production Chef. This is exceptional opportunity for a talented and ambitious Head Sandwich and Salad Chef to spearhead the Catering team and the forthcoming Salad team within our production unit in West Acton. As the Head Sandwich and Salad Chef, you will oversee the production of various...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Brent Works Full time

    DescriptionWe are backed by the Arts Alliance, an investor with a strong track-record of building successful companies in the film industry (LoveFilm, Picturehouse Cinemas, MetFilm School, Park Circus). Founded in early 2021, our organisation is now central London's largest film studio; having grown rapidly to meet the demands of film production in the UK...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Brent Works Full time

    **Description** We are backed by the Arts Alliance, an investor with a strong track-record of building successful companies in the film industry (LoveFilm, Picturehouse Cinemas, MetFilm School, Park Circus). Founded in early 2021, our organisation is now central London’s largest film studio; having grown rapidly to meet the demands of film production in...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Fit Out UK Full time

    Fit Out UK are a leading interior fit out contractor and relocation services provider working in the Retail, Leisure, Commercial & Residential Sectors.Our Production Facility in North West London is looking for a Production Supervisor to join out joinery and assembly team on a long term basis for a start as soon as possible.Roles and responsibilities include...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Silven Recruitment Limited Full time

    **Production Shift Supervisor - Chilled Food Manufacturing** Location: Park Royal, London A leading player in the chilled high-end food products sector is seeking a dedicated **Production Shift Supervisor** to join their dynamic team. **Key Responsibilities**: - Manage a large team of 100 operatives across 10 production lines, ensuring adherence to...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Silven Recruitment Limited Full time

    **Production Shift Supervisor - Chilled Food Manufacturing** Location: Park Royal, London A leading player in the chilled high-end food products sector is seeking a dedicated **Production Shift Supervisor** to join their dynamic team. **Key Responsibilities**: - Manage a large team of 100 operatives across 10 production lines, ensuring adherence to...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Silven Recruitment Limited Full time

    **Late Shift Production Shift Supervisor** Located in Park Royal, London, our client, a leading company in the food manufacturing industry, is seeking a dynamic individual to join their team as a Late Shift Production Shift Supervisor. This position offers a competitive salary of up to £40,000 per annum. **Key Responsibilities**: - Overseeing the...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Greencore Full time

    What you'll be doing **As a Food Production Team Leader Duties will involve**: - Providing a professional, high-quality service to Production following adequate training on specific equipment - Being responsible for the setting of production lines in accordance with product standards and specifications - Ensuring that all operations on all equipment are...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Greencore Full time

    What you'll be doingAs a Food Production Packers Duties will involve:Maintaining a clean production environment Assembling, packaging and labelling the products Checking and weighing raw materials You have a good attention to detail You are a natural team player You are able to work under pressure in a timeconstrained environment You are willing to learn...

  • Asset Coordinator

    2 days ago


    Park Royal, United Kingdom Solotech Inc. Full time

    : - Solotech is not accepting Agency/Recruiter submissions_ This role sits within the Asset Coordination team who are an important and integral part of live production helping to provide a quality service to Solotech’s wide range of clients. The Asset Coordinator is responsible for tracking our wide range of assets within the UK and ensuring they are in...

  • Product Development

    2 weeks ago


    Shadsworth Business Park, United Kingdom Barron Williams Executive Search Full time

    Our client is part of a diversified international group, a leading manufacturer of specialist têxtiles with a long-established reputation in its’ markets as a pioneer in technical, solutions-led products. The small, privately-owned group has its HQ basedin Europe with additional manufacturing operations in the US. The UK manufacturing site has a team of...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Greencore Full time

    What you'll be doing **As a Food Production Packers Duties will involve**: - Maintaining a clean production environment - Assembling, packaging and labelling the products - Checking and weighing raw materials - You have a good attention to detail - You are a natural team player - You are able to work under pressure in a time-constrained environment - You...


  • Park Royal, United Kingdom Greencore Full time

    What you'll be doing **As a Food Production Packers Duties will involve**: - Maintaining a clean production environment - Assembling, packaging and labelling the products - Checking and weighing raw materials - You have a good attention to detail - You are a natural team player - You are able to work under pressure in a time-constrained environment - You...

  • Product Developer

    2 weeks ago


    Sunderland Enterprise Park, United Kingdom Pentland Brands UK Limited Full time

    As a Product Developer, you will develop compelling footwear products that will delight our consumers, working collaboratively with Design to take new projects from design concept stage, through prototype development to commercialisation and production. You will Support on-time development of all footwear products using advanced product engineering...