At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing and manage supplier relationships for fresh food categories.
- Company: Join Wasabi, a rapidly growing sushi and bento brand with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy free sushi, discounts, a pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while driving sustainability and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in food procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Founded in 2003 by Dong Hyun Kim, his mission was simple, to make fresh and flavoursome 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.
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 Procurement Manager to join our Procurement Team based in Park Royal.
The Role: The Procurement Manager leads the sourcing and commercial management of a portfolio of direct spend categories, reporting to the Head of Procurement. This is a strategic, hands-on role: you will secure supply, drive cost efficiency and protect margin in a complex global market, supporting our grocery retail and restaurant business. Your portfolio will initially centre on our highest-spend protein categories, salmon and chicken, alongside other fresh raw materials, commodities such as rice and oil, and seasonings. Category allocation across the team may change as the business develops, and you will be expected to adapt and take on new categories as required.
You will work alongside the wider Procurement team, who collectively own the COGS; supplier commercial relationships; price negotiation; performance to contract; risk management; corporate governance and enablement of our Environmental goals through our supply base. You will be supported by a Buyer, whom you will lead and develop.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Planning that encapsulates Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance
- Develop and execute category strategies for the allocated portfolio, aligned with the organisation's growth plans and the procurement strategy set by the Head of Procurement.
- Deliver sustained cost savings and protect margin across the portfolio in a complex global market.
- Understand and manage market-driven pricing in protein and commodity categories, including index-linked, spot and forward contracts, currency exposure and seasonal supply, and support the Head of Procurement on commodity price risk management, including hedging where appropriate.
- Develop and execute strategies for sustainable and responsible sourcing, including animal welfare, traceability, and environmental and social impact, and ensure procurement activities comply with legal and ethical standards.
- Partner with Operations, NPD and Commercial teams to shape sourcing models, including third-party and co-manufacturing options, as the range develops.
- Take on additional or alternative categories as the team's portfolio evolves.
Supplier Management/Cost Management/Risk Management
- Lead relationships and negotiations with key suppliers at a senior and strategic level, to secure optimum whole-life value, consistent product quality and effective delivery performance.
- Evaluate and select suppliers based on quality, cost, reliability and sustainability; negotiate contracts and build long-term relationships with key suppliers, including producers, processors and brokers.
- Ensure suppliers are registered with Sedex and have agreed and signed the Wasabi established Supply Agreement.
- Monitor supplier performance via regular, strategic business reviews and address any issues or disputes.
- Deliver cost-saving initiatives such as vendor consolidation, volume leverage and value engineering, while maintaining quality standards.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risk, including supply disruption, single-source dependency, tariff and currency exposure, quality issues and regulatory compliance, and develop contingency plans for priority categories to protect continuity of supply.
Talent Development and Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Lead, coach and develop the Buyer, ensuring effective day-to-day category and order management.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation not only within procurement but also across different functions.
- Collaborate with other departments such as NPD, Technical/Quality, finance, operations, and marketing to align procurement activities with organisational needs.
- Support innovation and product development through effective supplier collaboration.
Reporting, Performance Metrics and Stakeholder Engagement
- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure and report on category and supplier performance.
- Work with finance to track and validate savings delivered, and provide market analysis and reporting on commodity, currency and supply market trends and their impact on COGS.
- Present category strategy, market outlook and performance to the Head of Procurement and senior stakeholders as required.
- Where applicable, implement and use procurement technologies such as e-procurement systems, vendor management software, and data analytics to enhance efficiency and decision-making.
Our requirements:
- Significant experience procuring proteins, including chicken and salmon, within food manufacturing, QSR, FMCG or food retail.
- Strong degree-level qualification and/or relevant professional qualification in supply chain or purchasing.
- Proven negotiation of high-value categories on a global supplier base, including working with brokers and service providers.
- Track record of delivering cost savings in an inflationary environment, and of leading cost and supply projects.
- Understanding of market-driven pricing, with the analytical skills and financial acumen to build the commercial case for decisions.
- Experience of coaching or managing a buyer or junior team member.
- Working knowledge of ERP applications.
- Experience of other food categories such as fresh raw materials, rice, oil and seasonings.
- Exposure to commodity price risk management, including hedging.
- Exposure to third-party or co-manufacturing.
- Experience supplying into retail or grocery channels.
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
- Long Service Awards
- Stream - 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
- Online GP service via Perkbox
- The opportunity to develop your skills within a growing company.
Procurement Manager employer: Wasabi Sushi and Bento
Wasabi Sushi and Bento is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture in Park Royal, where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, a commitment to sustainability, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the company's expansion while working with a passionate team dedicated to excellence in finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Wasabi Sushi and Bento.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Wasabi Sushi and Bento:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Wasabi Sushi and Bento. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Wasabi Sushi and Bento.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wasabi Sushi and Bento
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Wasabi Sushi and Bento!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Wasabi Sushi and Bento. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Wasabi Sushi and Bento's culture.
