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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead packaging strategy and innovation for Wasabi's restaurant and grocery products.
- Company: Join Wasabi, a rapidly growing Asian food brand with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy free sushi, discounts, and financial wellbeing perks like Wagestream.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability and packaging in a dynamic food environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG packaging development and strong knowledge of sustainability principles.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values growth, innovation, and delicious food!
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 ÂŁ 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, 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.
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 Food Packaging Development Manager to join our Food Team based in Park Royal.
The Role
This is a key role, responsible for developing and executing the packaging strategy for Wasabi products in our restaurant and grocery channels, aligned to our ESG ambitions. The incumbent will lead all packaging development requirements, working cross-functionally with the Food Development, Technical and Manufacturing teams and with external partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the packaging strategy and policy in line with ESG commitments and sustainability goals.
- Define the key criteria that shape Wasabi’s packaging identity and ethos.
- Continue to drive the ESG strategy as new materials and recycling methods emerge.
- Take responsibility for any statutory reporting relating to packaging.
- Lead packaging development projects, ensuring compliance with business objectives, operational needs, and regulatory standards.
- Manage and deliver packaging development based on briefs from the Food, ESG, Marketing, and Operations teams.
- Proactively identify and initiate “blue sky” packaging projects through industry networks, legislative updates, and conferences - creating a pipeline of innovation beyond the standard briefing process.
- Support Engineering and Process teams to develop packaging and machinery solutions that improve efficiency and quality.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Technical, Procurement, Marketing, Operations - restaurants and Central Production Unit (CPU) - and the Food team.
- Act as the central subject matter expert on packaging, sustainability, and innovation.
- Act as the first point of contact for restaurant and CPU teams on packaging-related issues.
- Support Procurement in cost optimization, supplier selection, and relationship management.
- Monitor market trends, legislation, and technological advances to drive continuous improvement.
- Stay ahead of developments in packaging materials and recycling methods.
- Attend industry events, webinars, and trade shows to maintain knowledge leadership.
- Ensure compliance with EPR, PRN, and ESG reporting requirements; maintain accurate data and use insights to optimise packaging decisions.
- Promote packaging as a key customer touchpoint and integral part of the Wasabi brand experience.
- Support smooth product launches through effective packaging trials and testing.
- Drive improvements in specifications, print management, and supplier performance.
- Build packaging knowledge across the wider team to strengthen business-wide expertise.
Our Requirements
- Extensive FMCG packaging development experience, ideally with exposure to both foodservice and retail environments.
- Strong industry networks, with the ability to leverage contacts for innovation and best practice.
- In-depth understanding of sustainability, ESG principles, and packaging regulations.
- Degree educated, with professional qualifications such as IOP certification or Degree-level Apprenticeship in Packaging Professional.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Strong planning, organisational, and commercial acumen.
- Proven ability to manage cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders.
- People management experience desirable, with the capability to develop and mentor others.
A great working environment
- 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. COME ROLL WITH US!
Food Packaging Development Manager employer: Wasabi Sushi & Bento
Contact Detail:
Wasabi Sushi & Bento Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Packaging Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the food packaging industry. Attend events, webinars, and trade shows to meet potential employers and learn about the latest trends. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for sustainability! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your knowledge of ESG principles and how you can contribute to their goals. Companies like Wasabi love candidates who align with their values.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Wasabi, and express your interest in working with them. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research Wasabi’s packaging strategies and recent innovations. Being well-informed will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Packaging Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Packaging: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for food packaging shine through! Talk about what excites you about sustainable packaging and how it aligns with Wasabi's vision. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about their field.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your FMCG packaging development experience in a way that speaks directly to the role. Use specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage cross-functional projects and drive innovation. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively, so show us your skills right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Wasabi family. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wasabi Sushi & Bento
✨Know Your Packaging Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in food packaging, especially those related to sustainability and ESG principles. Familiarise yourself with Wasabi's current packaging strategies and think about how you can contribute to their innovative approach.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience working with different teams, like Food Development and Marketing. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed projects that required collaboration across various departments, as this role heavily relies on teamwork.
✨Bring Ideas to the Table
Think outside the box! Prepare a few 'blue sky' packaging ideas that align with Wasabi's ethos. This shows your proactive nature and willingness to innovate, which is key for the Food Packaging Development Manager role.
✨Prepare for Questions on Compliance and Regulations
Since compliance with packaging regulations is crucial, be prepared to discuss your understanding of relevant laws and standards. Brush up on EPR and PRN requirements, and think about how you can ensure Wasabi meets these obligations while still being creative.
