Buyer

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support procurement by sourcing and purchasing products while building strong supplier relationships.
  • Company: Join Wasabi, a thriving Asian food brand with exciting growth plans.
  • Benefits: Enjoy free sushi, discounts, hybrid working, and a pension scheme.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in the food industry.
  • Qualifications: Experience in food procurement and strong negotiation skills are preferred.
  • Other info: Great career development opportunities in a supportive environment.

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 41 thriving restaurants across London and major UK cities and 4 in New York. In 2019, we introduced Wasabi Home Bento, the grocery channel, launching 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. Wasabi grocery has seen phenomenal growth and is now a £62m RSV brand. Wasabi proudly stands as the No. 2 chilled ready-meal brand in the market, consistently attracting new customers to the category through an innovative East Asian range.

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 a Buyer to join our Procurement Team based in Park Royal.

The Role: You will be supporting managers in their day-to-day job, sourcing and purchasing products, materials, or services required by the organisation, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement that meets quality standards. Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the Buyer plays a critical role in maintaining supply chain efficiency and supporting the overall procurement strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Supplier management & development. Develop and manage global supplier relationships with current and future suppliers.
  • Conduct regular gap analysis, benchmarking, range reviews and market research to ensure opportunities are identified and evaluated.
  • Identify, develop and execute efficiency improvements, volume growth opportunities and deliver cost reductions.
  • Liaise and attend meetings with other departments and external stakeholders to ensure continuity of supply and successful execution of new product launches.
  • Support the delivery of the budget and sustainable sourcing ESG strategy.
  • Work within our procurement policies and procedures, ensuring compliance and safety.
  • Support the open procurement environment, supporting colleagues and departments.
  • Efficiently and accurately maintain the company's Business Central system.

Our requirements:

  • Related experience in manufacturing food procurement.
  • Ability to demonstrate planning, organisational, commercial and negotiation skills.
  • A track record of supplier management, cost management, driving efficiencies and implementing fast-paced innovation.
  • Degree level education or equivalent (desirable but not essential).
  • Strong commercial acumen and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Proven ability to support the company budget and ESG plans.
  • Excellent listening, communication and presentation skills.

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.
  • Wagestream - a financial wellbeing benefit that lets you access your pay as you earn it in real time and manage savings.
  • Life Assurance.
  • Electric Vehicle Scheme through Octopus.
  • 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. Join a company where you’ll have the opportunity to work for a growing company and build a real career.

Buyer employer: Wasabi Sushi & Bento

Wasabi is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture, offering employees the chance to thrive in a dynamic environment focused on growth and innovation. With a strong emphasis on employee development, competitive benefits such as a hybrid working model, generous discounts, and a supportive team atmosphere, Wasabi is dedicated to creating a rewarding workplace for those passionate about Asian cuisine and procurement. Join us at our Park Royal location and be part of a company that values your contributions and encourages your career progression.
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Contact Detail:

Wasabi Sushi & Bento Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Buyer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Wasabi’s values and recent developments. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about our mission to serve delicious Asian food. Tailor your answers to reflect how you can contribute to our growth!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buyer, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to build strong supplier relationships. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence before the real deal.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Wasabi family. Let’s roll together!

We think you need these skills to ace Buyer

Supplier Management
Commercial Awareness
Negotiation Skills
Planning Skills
Organisational Skills
Cost Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Market Research
Gap Analysis
Benchmarking
Sourcing and Procurement
Communication Skills
Presentation Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Efficiency Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the food industry shine through! We love candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do at Wasabi, so don’t hold back on sharing your passion for Asian cuisine and how it aligns with our vision.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in food procurement and supplier management. We want to see how your skills match up with what we're looking for, so don’t just send a generic CV – make it personal!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. Just tell us what you’ve done, how you did it, and the impact it had – simple as that!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re keen to be part of the Wasabi family!

How to prepare for a job interview at Wasabi Sushi & Bento

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Wasabi's products and their unique selling points. Familiarise yourself with their grocery range and recent expansions. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience in food procurement to their needs.

✨Showcase Your Supplier Skills

Be ready to discuss your experience in supplier management and how you've built strong relationships in the past. Prepare specific examples of how you've driven efficiencies or cost reductions, as this aligns perfectly with what Wasabi is looking for.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and commercial awareness. Think of scenarios where you've had to negotiate or manage a challenging supplier situation, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

Wasabi values cross-functional collaboration, so highlight your experience working with different departments. Share examples of how you've successfully liaised with teams to ensure smooth operations and new product launches.

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