At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead manufacturing and supply chain operations to support Wasabi's growth and innovation.
- Company: Join Wasabi, a thriving Asian food brand with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy free sushi, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities in a dynamic and expanding business.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of a fast-growing company making delicious food for everyone.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing or supply chain leadership is essential.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ 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 and 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
Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain to join our Team based in Park Royal.
The Role
This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of Wasabi’s next phase of growth.
The Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain will lead the end-to-end manufacturing and supply chain operation at Park Royal, ensuring the business can scale with pace, consistency and excellence.
The role spans the full operating model — from raw material planning and supplier performance through to high-quality food production, warehousing, dispatch and nationwide distribution across retail, grocery and franchise channels.
Working closely with the Leadership Team, this person will translate commercial ambition, innovation and customer requirements into efficient, scalable, high-volume operations.
Success in the role will come from building high-performing teams, embedding continuous improvement and delivering outstanding service, quality and cost performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a multifunctional organisation of circa 300 colleagues across supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, warehousing, dispatch and hygiene, building a high-performance, quality-led culture.
- Act as a visible role model for Wasabi’s values and culture, leading with credibility, energy and a hands-on mindset.
- Develop strong leaders and teams through coaching, knowledge sharing and clear accountability for performance.
- Oversee workforce planning and labour optimisation across all teams, balancing productivity, cost control, retention and meaningful employment.
- Drive the manufacturing and supply chain operation towards best-in-class performance by embedding continuous improvement across all factory and logistics activities.
- Optimise systems, processes, ERP capability and manufacturing equipment in partnership with IT to maximise productivity, efficiency and operational visibility.
- Build and develop a world-class engineering function, embedding best practice total preventive maintenance to improve reliability and reduce downtime.
- Remain agile in day-to-day leadership, flexing focus as needed to support critical business priorities in a fast-growth environment.
- Build strong internal customer partnerships to ensure food quality, service levels and budget expectations are consistently achieved.
- Translate new product development, menu changes and product enhancements into scalable, efficient factory execution.
- Own product quality and customer service outcomes, driving improvements in service levels, minimum life on receipt, waste and complaint reduction.
- Create and sustain robust feedback loops from internal teams, grocery, franchise partners and end customers to continuously raise production and service standards.
- Lead and evolve Wasabi’s end-to-end supply chain and distribution strategy to support growth across retail, grocery and franchise channels.
- Manage third-party logistics and supply partners to ensure performance, service and cost objectives are delivered consistently.
- Develop effective supplier relationships that strengthen quality, resilience, value and operational performance across the network.
- Take full ownership of the functional P&L, improving margin, value and operational efficiency across all product lines and routes to market.
- Set, track and improve key operational KPIs, providing clear performance insight and progress updates to the Leadership Team and investors.
- Ensure the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, HSE compliance and BRC performance, with robust action plans to continuously strengthen compliance and audit readiness.
- Partner effectively with cross-functional leaders to build the plans, infrastructure and operating capability required to support Wasabi’s growth ambitions.
- Champion Wasabi’s ESG agenda through innovation in waste, energy efficiency, sustainable production and social mobility.
- Stay close to emerging best practice and innovation in sustainable food production, implementing practical solutions that reduce environmental impact and strengthen long-term performance.
- Our Requirements
We are looking for a commercially minded, operationally strong and values-led leader who can combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
This individual will bring the credibility, pace and judgement to lead a complex manufacturing and supply chain operation, while building the capability, systems and culture needed to support Wasabi’s continued growth.
The successful candidate will be an experienced senior leader from food manufacturing, supply chain or a related FMCG environment, with a strong track record of leading multi-functional operations, improving performance and delivering results across quality, service and cost.
They will be confident operating at both strategic and operational levels, able to shape direction with the Leadership Team while staying close enough to the detail to ensure consistent delivery.
They will likely be degree educated or equivalent and will bring meaningful experience across high-volume food production, planning, supply chain, logistics and operational leadership.
Experience in a fast-growth, multi-channel business, including retail, grocery or franchise, would be highly advantageous.
- 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 and
- 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.
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Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain employer: Wasabi Sushi & Bento
Wasabi Sushi & Bento is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that celebrates creativity and innovation in the fast-paced QSR industry. Located in Park Royal, employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth through training and development opportunities, alongside competitive benefits that reflect our commitment to staff well-being and satisfaction. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences while advancing your career in marketing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Wasabi Sushi & Bento, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Wasabi Sushi & Bento specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wasabi Sushi & Bento
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Wasabi Sushi & Bento, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Wasabi Sushi & Bento value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
