At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT infrastructure strategy and support across all Wasabi sites.
- Company: Join Wasabi, a thriving Asian food brand with 40 restaurants in the UK and exciting growth plans.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, free meals, discounts, and a pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and growth in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive IT service management experience in multi-site environments is essential.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop skills in a growing company with a vibrant culture.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ 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 prepare for our next phase of growth and innovation, we have an incredibly exciting opportunity for an IT Infrastructure and Services Manager to join our IT Team based in Park Royal.
The Role
In this role you will lead the IT infrastructure strategy and IT service provision across all Wasabi sites, including restaurants, manufacturing and offices, ensuring system stability and optimisation. You head up a team providing internal IT Support and take ownership of the Helpdesk function and key infrastructure improvement programs. You will be accountable for keeping Wasabi's IT solutions (including enterprise solution, employee IT equipment, network, communications and business applications) secure, functional and appropriate to their business use. You will work with external suppliers to find hardware & software solutions, providing options and business cases to the IT Director and Leadership team as required. You will also be required to drive the performance of those suppliers. This is a key role that offers significant input into the IT strategy and overall Wasabi development plans and will be frequently called upon to advise and deliver those plans as the business and IT Team grows. You must be able to clearly articulate and recommend courses of action that will materially impact the success of the company. You must have excellent knowledge of IT infrastructure, service management, enterprise solutions as well as great communication skills. You will work with the organisation's leadership and IT professionals throughout IT programs and projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, recommend and implement IT infrastructure solutions to the Wasabi Leadership Team
- Inform stakeholders about any issues with the current and proposed technical solutions
- Provide updates to stakeholders on improvements progress, costs and budgets
- Have significant input into business change, implementation, and expansion plans
- Managing key suppliers providing services to the IT infrastructure
- Periodically meet with business areas to determine future IT infrastructure requirements
- Technical lead in IT infrastructure projects and programs
- Providing specialist advice, management and delivery where required
- Continually research current and emerging technologies, propose value add improvements
- Proposing how IT can support growth plans and correct business problems
- Ensure Wasabi IT incorporates appropriate security standards in all IT infrastructure
- Day to day support and resolution of all IT technical infrastructure issues
- Proposing solutions and growth plans for the IT infrastructure with associated costs to support the ongoing and future business needs
- Producing periodic SLA performance statistics for the IT infrastructure systems and support team
- Work with the IT Director on various aspects of IT Management, including:
- Cost control & budget management
- Supplier selection and performance
- Product (hardware and software) selection & cost
- Monthly financial reviews of the IT P&L
- Managing of IT Support team
- Day-to-day Ensuring a high level of IT service to the business
- Identifying the need, proposing and organising training where necessary
- Proactively liaise with peers from all other business areas on IT infrastructure and or any other relevant business-related project requires input from the IT Infrastructure Manager
- Provide guidance and feedback across Wasabi and the IT team
- Provide supervision and guidance to IT team
- IT strategy
- Recruitment and team performance management
- IT trends and new technology awareness
- Software supplier selection
Our Requirements
Essential to this role will be the ability to demonstrate:
- Extensive experience in IT Service Management / Infrastructure Support in a multi-site environment ideally in retail, hospitality or leisure
- Ability to run productivity software across the company
- Ability to run infrastructure that supports all trading critical and business intelligence systems
- Ability to run, test and constantly improve cyber security
- Problem solving skills
- Excellent oral & written presentation skills
- Customer focused
- Extensive supplier management experience including budget and performance management
Experience of:
- Leading an IT Support function
- IT Solutions across a variety of sites and functions
- Working in a fast-paced entrepreneurial business
- Working in cross functional groups/projects to deliver business related projects
- Leading IT Improvement Programs
Beneficial Experience
- Bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science
- Hands-on experience gained in a retail hospitality environment
- Hands-on experience gained in a manufacturing environment (most usefully in food)
- Hands-on experience gained in warehousing, purchasing, distribution & supply chain
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
- Life Assurance
- 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 IT Infrastructure and Services Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Wasabi's IT infrastructure and services. Understanding their current systems and any recent changes will help you speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to their growth and innovation during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the retail and hospitality sectors, especially those who have experience with IT service management. This can provide you with insights into industry standards and expectations that you can leverage in your discussions with Wasabi.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on emerging technologies relevant to IT infrastructure and service management. Being able to discuss how these technologies could benefit Wasabi will demonstrate your proactive approach and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to showcase your problem-solving skills through real-life examples. Think of specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them, as this will resonate well with Wasabi's focus on continuous improvement.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Infrastructure and Services Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in IT Service Management and Infrastructure Support, especially in multi-site environments. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for IT and how your skills align with Wasabi's vision. Mention specific experiences that relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully solved IT-related problems in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to handle challenges effectively, which is crucial for this position.
Highlight Supplier Management Experience: Since supplier management is a key responsibility, be sure to include any relevant experience you have in managing suppliers, budgets, and performance metrics in your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wasabi Sushi & Bento
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research Wasabi's culture and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to quality and innovation in Asian cuisine. This will help you align your answers with what they value and demonstrate that you're a good fit for their team.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As an IT Infrastructure and Services Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your extensive knowledge of IT service management and infrastructure support. Be prepared to discuss specific technologies you've worked with, how you've improved systems in the past, and any relevant projects that showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to describe how you would handle specific situations, such as managing supplier performance or resolving IT issues across multiple sites. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex IT concepts. Remember, you’ll be working closely with leadership and other departments, so being able to convey your ideas effectively is crucial.