IT Infrastructure and Services Manager

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 and 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 prepare for out next phase of growth and innovation, we have an incredibly exciting opportunity for an IT Infrastructure and Services Manager to join our IT Team based in Park Royal. The Role In this role you will lead the IT infrastructure strategy and IT service provision across all Wasabi sites, including restaurants, manufacturing and offices, ensuring system stability and optimisation. You head up a team providing internal IT Support and take ownership of the Helpdesk function and key infrastructure improvement programs. You will be accountable for keeping Wasabi’s IT solutions (including enterprise solution, employee IT equipment, network, communications and business applications) secure, functional and appropriate to their business use. You will work with external suppliers to find hardware & software solutions, providing options and business cases to the IT Director and Leadership team as required. You will also be required to drive the performance of those suppliers. This is a key role that offers significant input into the IT strategy and overall Wasabi development plans and will be frequently called upon to advise and deliver those plans as the business and IT Team grows. You must be able to clearly articulate and recommend courses of action that will materially impact the success of the company. You must have excellent knowledge of IT infrastructure, service management, enterprise solutions as well as great communication skills. You will work with the organisation’s leadership and IT professionals throughout IT programs and projects. Key Responsibilities Develop, recommend and implement IT infrastructure solutions to the Wasabi Leadership Team Inform stakeholders about any issues with the current and proposed technical solutions Provide updates to stakeholders on improvements progress, costs and budgets Have significant input into business change, implementation, and expansion plans Managing key suppliers providing services to the IT infrastructure Periodically meet with business areas to determine future IT infrastructure requirements Technical lead in IT infrastructure projects and programs Providing specialist advice, management and delivery where required Continually research current and emerging technologies, propose value add improvements Proposing how IT can support growth plans and correct business problems Ensure Wasabi IT incorporates appropriate security standards in all IT infrastructure Day to day support and resolution of all IT technical infrastructure issues Proposing solutions and growth plans for the IT infrastructure with associated costs to support the ongoing and future business needs Producing periodic SLA performance statistics for the IT infrastructure systems and support team Work with the IT Director on various aspects of IT Management, including: Cost control & budget management Supplier selection and performance Product (hardware and software) selection & cost Monthly financial reviews of the IT P&L Managing of IT Support team Day-to-day Ensuring a high level of IT service to the business Identifying the need, proposing and organising training where necessary Proactively liaise with peers from all other business areas on IT infrastructure and or any other relevant business-related project requires input from the IT Infrastructure Manager Provide guidance and feedback across Wasabi and the IT team Provide supervision and guidance to IT team Work with the IT Director and IT Management Team on: IT strategy Recruitment and team performance management IT trends and new technology awareness Software supplier selection Our Requirements Essential to this role will be the ability to demonstrate: Extensive experience in IT Service Management / Infrastructure Support in a multi-site environment ideally in retail, hospitality or leisure Ability to run productivity software across the company Ability to run infrastructure that supports all trading critical and business intelligence systems Ability to run, test and constantly improve cyber security Problem solving skills Excellent oral & written presentation skills Customer focused Extensive supplier management experience including budget and performance management Experience of: o Leading an IT Support function o IT Solutions across a variety of sites and functions o Working in a fast-paced entrepreneurial business o Working in cross functional groups/projects to deliver business related projects o Leading IT Improvement Programs Beneficial Experience Bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science Hands-on experience gained a retail hospitality environment Hands-on experience gained in a manufacturing environment (most usefully in food) Hands-on experience gained in warehousing, purchasing, distribution & supply chain 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 Life Assurance 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