At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category growth strategies and unlock new opportunities in the grocery sector.
- Company: Join Wasabi, a thriving Asian food brand with a passion for deliciousness.
- Benefits: Enjoy free sushi, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting growth journey in a fast-paced, innovative company.
- Qualifications: Experience in Category Management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Founded in 2003, Wasabi's vision is to lovingly create and serve delicious Asian food for a busy nation. Wasabi now has 42 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 Category Growth Manager to join our Team based in Park Royal.
The Role:
The incumbent will own the definition and execution of the category growth strategy across key UK grocery accounts, identifying and capitalising on new opportunities to drive sustainable sales and profitability. This role will harness data, shopper insights, and market trends to inform both internal strategy and external customer engagement, positioning Wasabi as a trusted and influential category partner. Collaborating across functions, you will lead category-focused initiatives that enhance category value, shape retailer decisions, and deliver measurable, incremental growth for both our customers and the business.
Key Responsibilities:
- Category Strategy & Growth
- Develop and lead the category growth strategies aligned to business objectives and retailer priorities
- Identify and unlock new whitespace growth opportunities
- Lead key commercial initiatives including range reviews, macro space resets and category deep dives to deliver incremental category growth
- Own relationship with external data partners (Kantar, IRI, Dunnhumby) ensuring best-in-class insight capabilities that drive competitive advantage
- Insight & Analysis
- Leverage EPOS, panel, and shopper data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
- Translate data into actionable insights and clear recommendations
- Monitor competitor activity, pricing, and promotional strategies
- Track category performance and optimise accordingly
- Act as a category growth partner for key retail customers (Tesco & Sainsbury’s) influencing category direction and long-term strategy
- Build strong relationships across buying, category and range planning teams
- Partner closely with sales, food and marketing teams to deliver impactful, insight-led presentations to support NPD launches and new business opportunities
- Support Joint Business Planning (JBP) processes
- Optimise and help shape product range using data and shopper insight
- Lead planogram development and shelf layout recommendations
- Identify and unlock distribution and visibility opportunities to drive incremental sales and category expansion
- New Product Development (NPD)
- Collaborate with marketing, food and sales teams to identify gaps in the category
- Partner cross-functionally with marketing, food and sales to shape and deliver impactful NPD
- Evaluate post-launch performance and recommend improvement
- Identify opportunities for differentiation and brand expansion into new categories
Our Requirements:
Key experience and capabilities:
- Previous experience in a Category Management or Category Analyst role within FMCG
- Strong understanding of UK grocery retail landscape and exposure working with major UK retailers
- Experience working with data sources such as IRI and Kantar
- Advanced Excel and strong analytical skills
- Confident presenter with excellent storytelling ability
- Commercially astute with a proactive, results-driven mindset
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
Personal attributes:
- Commercially focused with a strong instinct for growth and opportunity
- Clear and confident communicator
- Strong influencer and relationship builder
- Action and solution oriented
- Comfortable with ambiguity, have a real ‘can do attitude’, and prepared to get their hands dirty to make a difference in an exciting and fast-growing business
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
- 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 Octapus
- 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.
Category Growth Manager employer: Wasabi Sushi & Bento
Wasabi is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to thrive in a fast-growing company dedicated to innovation in the food industry. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits such as free meals, discounts, and financial wellbeing initiatives, and a commitment to sustainability, Wasabi provides a rewarding environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers. Join us at our Park Royal location and be part of a team that values creativity, collaboration, and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Growth Manager
✨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 growth strategy and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about our mission and how you can contribute to our exciting journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! When discussing your experience, frame it in a way that highlights your achievements and how they align with the Category Growth Manager role. We love hearing about how you've driven growth and innovation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Wasabi family.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Growth Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Growth Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management and any relevant data analysis skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our growth strategy!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about Wasabi and how you can contribute to our ambitious growth plans. Be sure to mention specific examples from your past that demonstrate your capabilities.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, make sure to showcase your analytical skills in your application. Mention any tools or methodologies you’ve used to derive insights from data, especially if they relate to FMCG or grocery retail.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the latest updates about your application status. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wasabi Sushi & Bento
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Category Growth Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with data. Brush up on your knowledge of key metrics and trends in the FMCG sector, especially those relevant to Wasabi's growth strategy. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to drive category growth.
✨Understand the Retail Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the UK grocery retail landscape, particularly the major players like Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Research their current strategies and how Wasabi fits into this picture. This will show that you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Storytelling Skills
As a confident presenter, you’ll need to convey insights effectively. Prepare a few examples where you've turned complex data into compelling stories that influenced decisions. Practising your storytelling can help you stand out during the interview.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in stakeholder management and relationship building. Think of specific instances where you’ve successfully collaborated across functions or influenced key decisions. This will demonstrate your ability to work well within teams and with external partners.
