At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food innovation and ensure high-quality standards for itsu's delicious offerings.
- Company: Join a leading Asian-inspired quick-service brand with over 80 restaurants across the UK and Belgium.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for growth in the food industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthy eating while working with passionate food lovers.
- Qualifications: Experience in food development and a passion for Asian cuisine are essential.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and quality.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are the leading Asian-inspired quick‑service retail and grocery brand with over 80 restaurants across the UK and Belgium, and a growing wholesale business across Europe and beyond. Our renowned delicious food made fresh in every restaurant, every day, has made itsu a top choice for healthy eating. In addition to our restaurants, itsu offers a range of high-quality Asian-inspired foods available online and in supermarkets. We are excited to be one of the leading brands in this specific group and have ambitious plans for continued growth both domestically and globally. With its best-in-class food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.
Responsibilities
- As the Product Manager at itsu, you will report to the Food Director and will be responsible for overseeing food development for your designated portfolio within itsu.
- This may include cold & hot menu, drinks and snacks.
- You will play a pivotal role in maintaining itsu's high standards of food excellence, ensuring that our products meet our customers’ expectations, commercial aspirations, and our mission to make healthy, affordable food accessible to everyone.
- You will be responsible for generating and implementing new ideas, developing control processes, benchmarking itsu against its competitors and current trends.
- You will collaborate closely with the Commercial Operations and Food development team, Safety, Marketing, Finance and Operational teams.
Food development: Lead the food innovation for itsu retail, ensuring new & existing product meet quality standards, commercial targets & customer expectations.
Health & nutrition strategy: Ensure health strategy is embedded in all new innovation and work to improve existing products to deliver against our nutrition goals.
Menu strategy: Work with marketing, commercial, supply chain & itsu grocery team to set out clear development plans to deliver against our commercial and customer calendars.
Menu delivery: Work with the commercial ops, supply chain, safety and marketing departments to ensure all launches are delivered through the agreed processes to agreed timings.
Project management: Working alongside the commercial operations teams ensure that all projects are scheduled and delivered as part of the food development calendar.
Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree or higher in food science, nutrition, culinary arts, or a related field would be beneficial.
- Proven experience in a similar role within the food industry of 3-4 years, preferably in a retail or restaurant setting.
- Working knowledge of food quality control processes, regulations, and industry standards.
- Familiarity with cold and hot menu development, drinks, snacks, and dessert.
- A real foodie with a passion for Asian inspired food.
- A curious and creative mindset.
- Excellent organisational and planning skills to implement control processes and improvements.
- Analytical mindset to assess current menus and identify areas for enhancement.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with various departments.
- Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high-quality standards.
- Ability to stay updated with industry trends and emerging technologies.
- Willingness to be hands‑on and comfortable working at pace.
Product Manager employer: itsu
Contact Detail:
itsu Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those who work at itsu or similar brands. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food! When you get the chance to meet with hiring managers or during interviews, share your love for Asian-inspired cuisine and how it aligns with itsu's mission. Authentic enthusiasm goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss trends! Brush up on the latest in food innovation and health strategies. Being able to chat about current market trends will show that you're not just a foodie, but also a savvy product manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to joining a team that’s all about making healthy, delicious food accessible to everyone.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Talk about your favourite Asian-inspired dishes and how they inspire you. We want to see that you're not just qualified, but genuinely excited about what we do at itsu.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in the food industry. Whether it's menu development or project management, connect your past roles to what we’re looking for. We appreciate candidates who can clearly demonstrate how their skills align with our needs.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We love a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff without unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the itsu family!
How to prepare for a job interview at itsu
✨Know Your Food Inside Out
As a Product Manager at itsu, you'll need to demonstrate your passion for Asian-inspired food. Research their menu thoroughly and be ready to discuss your favourite dishes, how they align with health trends, and any innovative ideas you might have for new products.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of past projects where you've successfully led food development or innovation. Highlight your organisational skills and how you ensured timely delivery while collaborating with different teams. This will show that you can handle the fast-paced environment at itsu.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with itsu's competitors and current trends in the food industry. Be prepared to discuss how itsu can maintain its edge and what strategies you would implement to enhance their product offerings. This shows you're not just a foodie but also a strategic thinker.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Since the role involves working closely with various departments, be ready to share examples of how you've effectively collaborated in the past. Discuss your communication style and how you ensure everyone is on the same page during product development.