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- Tasks: Lead site acquisitions for Wasabi's UK expansion, managing negotiations and market analysis.
- Company: Wasabi Sushi & Bento serves delicious Asian food with 40 restaurants across the UK and New York.
- Benefits: Enjoy free sushi, discounts, a supportive work environment, and financial wellbeing benefits.
- Why this job: Join a growing brand with a vibrant culture and a focus on innovation and quality.
- Qualifications: MRICS qualified with experience in retail or hospitality; strong communication and organisational skills required.
- Other info: Be part of an ambitious growth strategy and collaborate with diverse teams.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 70000 £ 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’re 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 mind set 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.
A great working environment includes:
- Refer A Friend Scheme
- Free Sushi or hot food (vegan options available)
- 50% discount in our Branches
- Employee Assistant Programme Help@Hand (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!
Acquisitions Manager (Property) employer: Wasabi Sushi & Bento
Contact Detail:
Wasabi Sushi & Bento Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Acquisitions Manager (Property)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Wasabi's brand and growth strategy. Understanding their vision and recent expansions will help you align your approach when discussing potential site acquisitions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with property agents and industry contacts who have experience in the retail and hospitality sectors. Building these relationships can provide you with valuable insights and opportunities for site acquisitions.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on market trends and competitor activities in the food and beverage sector. This knowledge will enable you to identify prime locations that align with Wasabi's expansion goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical skills by showcasing how you would assess potential sites. Be ready to discuss your approach to due diligence and how you would collaborate with internal teams to ensure successful openings.
We think you need these skills to ace Acquisitions Manager (Property)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Acquisitions Manager role at Wasabi. Familiarise yourself with their growth strategy and how your skills can contribute to their expansion.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in property acquisition, market analysis, and negotiations. Emphasise your MRICS qualification and any previous roles in retail or hospitality that align with Wasabi's needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the food and beverage industry and your understanding of Wasabi's brand. Mention specific achievements in your career that demonstrate your ability to identify and secure profitable sites.
Highlight Your Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as communication, organisation, and analytical abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed property agents or conducted due diligence in past roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wasabi Sushi & Bento
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, research the property market, especially in relation to the restaurant and retail sectors. Understand current trends, key players, and potential sites that align with Wasabi's growth strategy.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous negotiation experiences. Highlight specific examples where you successfully secured advantageous terms for property deals, as this will be crucial for the Acquisitions Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Abilities
Prepare to talk about how you analyse potential sites and make data-driven decisions. Bring examples of reports or financial appraisals you've created in the past to demonstrate your analytical skills.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various internal teams, be ready to share examples of how you've effectively collaborated with others in previous roles. This will show your ability to thrive in a team environment.
