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- Tasks: Identify and secure new sites for Wasabi's UK expansion while managing property agents and negotiations.
- Company: Wasabi is a leading Asian food brand with 40 restaurants in the UK and a growing grocery presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy free sushi, discounts, a pension scheme, and access to financial wellbeing benefits.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team focused on growth and innovation in a vibrant food industry.
- Qualifications: MRICS qualified with experience in retail or hospitality; strong communication and organisational skills required.
- Other info: Be part of an ambitious 5-year growth strategy and collaborate across various teams.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Founded in 2003, Wasabi's vision is to lovingly create and serve delicious Asian food for a busy nation. Wasabi now has 40 thriving restaurants across London and major UK cities and 4 in New York. In 2019, we introduced Wasabi Home Bento, launched exclusively in Sainsbury's. Building on that success, the grocery business broadened its reach to Tesco in September 2022, followed by exciting launches in Co-op and Morrisons in 2024. Today, Wasabi proudly stands as the No. 2 chilled ready-meal brand, setting new standards for quality and innovation. Wasabi's menu is celebrated for its unique character, exceptional freshness, and bold flavours. Our diverse range is designed to delight a wide audience, delivering both comfort and excitement with every bite. We have an ambitious 5-year growth strategy, focusing on new restaurants, franchise partnerships, and international expansion.
As we embark on our next phase of growth and innovation, we are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for an Acquisitions Manager to join our Property Team based in Park Royal.
The Role: The Acquisition Manager is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and securing new sites for Wasabi's UK expansion. This includes market analysis, managing property agents, leading negotiations, and ensuring successful site development in alignment with the company's growth objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Learn and understand Wasabi trading models, formats, brand positioning, new restaurant performance criteria, competitors and the existing estate to inform the targeting of optimum new sites.
- Support the Head of Property in developing and refining the network strategy and pipeline programme in line with Wasabi growth objectives.
- Maintain pipeline trackers, reports and presenters.
- Use industry and market knowledge, industry resources and data, working closely with external location mapping suppliers and software to identify, interrogate and verify potential new sites.
- Manage property agents to identify and deliver targets.
- Use a network of national property contacts (landlords, occupiers, developers) in order to optimise opportunities.
- Carry out all appropriate due diligence regarding new site assessments, taking advice from legal and other professionals prior to preparing for internal review and approvals.
- Work with the Restaurant Operations & Finance teams to analyse opportunities.
- Prepare detailed reports, financial appraisals and presentations for internal review and board approval.
- Support the Head of Property in negotiations to secure new premises and achieve optimum terms.
- Process through Heads of Terms to legal completion, utilising legal and professional advisors as necessary.
- Lead appropriate processes to obtain all necessary permissions, planning consents and licenses, to enable fitting out and operations in line with lease terms and statutory conditions.
- Collaborate with internal functions; Design, Project Management, Operations, Marketing, Facilities, Finance through feasibility, development, planning and through to completion of fit-out and openings.
- Supplying advice and information to ensure on time, on budget on brand success of new sites.
Our Requirements:
- MRICS qualified with extensive experience within a retail, hospitality, F&B or QSR multi-site environment.
- Working knowledge of property law and legislation.
- Commercially astute and aware of business imperatives, with a growth mindset and clear focus on delivering results and exceeding customer expectations.
- Professional, open and friendly with the ability to represent the business to external parties at all levels.
- Proactive, flexible and able to manage a broad range of responsibilities and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Approachable and able to thrive in a team environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organisational, administrative and numerical skills with exemplary attention to detail.
- Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office suite.
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 (a service providing health and wellbeing support).
- 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.
- 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!
Contact Detail:
Wasabi Sushi & Bento Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Acquisitions Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Wasabi's brand and its unique offerings. Understanding their menu and what sets them apart in the market will help you demonstrate your passion for the company during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the property and restaurant sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential contacts who could provide insights or opportunities related to acquisitions.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on market trends and competitor activities in the food and beverage sector. This knowledge will not only enhance your discussions but also show your proactive approach to identifying new site opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with property negotiations and site assessments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar processes in the past, as this will highlight your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Acquisitions Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of the Acquisitions Manager at Wasabi. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in site acquisition, market analysis, and negotiation.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your MRICS qualification and any extensive experience in retail, hospitality, or multi-site environments. Use specific examples to demonstrate your knowledge of property law and your ability to manage multiple priorities.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial for this role, ensure your application is well-structured and free of errors. Consider including a brief example of how you've successfully communicated with external parties in previous roles.
Express Your Growth Mindset: Wasabi is looking for candidates with a growth mindset. In your application, convey your enthusiasm for the company's ambitious expansion plans and how you can contribute to achieving their objectives. Mention any past experiences where you exceeded expectations or contributed to growth.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wasabi Sushi & Bento
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, research the current trends in the food and beverage industry, especially focusing on the chilled ready-meal sector. Understanding Wasabi's position within the market will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
As an Acquisitions Manager, negotiation is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully negotiated terms or secured advantageous deals. This will illustrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Wasabi values teamwork across various departments. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with different teams in previous roles, particularly in property management or site development. Highlighting your ability to work well with others will resonate with their team-oriented culture.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to property law, site assessments, and financial appraisals. Brush up on relevant legislation and be prepared to discuss how you would approach due diligence for new sites. This will show your technical expertise and readiness for the role.
