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. In 2019, we introduced Wasabi Home Bento, launched exclusively in Sainsbury's. Building on that success, the grocery business expanded to Tesco in September 2022, followed by 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 flavors. 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 embark on our next phase of growth and innovation, we are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for a Acquisitions Manager to join our Property Team based in Park Royal.
The Role:
The Acquisition Manager is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and securing new sites for Wasabi's UK expansion. This includes market analysis, managing property agents, leading negotiations, and ensuring successful site development in line with the company's growth objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Learn and understand Wasabi's trading models, formats, brand positioning, restaurant performance criteria, competitors, and existing estate to target optimal new sites.
2. Support the Head of Property in developing and refining the network strategy and pipeline program, maintaining trackers, reports, and presentations.
3. Utilize industry and market knowledge, working closely with external location mapping suppliers and software to identify, interrogate, and verify potential sites.
4. Manage property agents to identify and deliver targets, leveraging a network of national property contacts (landlords, occupiers, developers) to optimize opportunities.
5. Conduct due diligence on new site assessments, consulting legal and other professionals before internal review and approval.
6. Collaborate with Restaurant Operations & Finance teams to analyze opportunities, preparing detailed reports, financial appraisals, and presentations for internal review and board approval.
7. Assist in negotiations to secure premises and achieve favorable terms, processing through Heads of Terms to legal completion with legal and professional advisors.
8. Lead processes to obtain necessary permissions, planning consents, and licenses for fit-out and operations, in line with lease terms and statutory conditions.
9. Work with internal teams—Design, Project Management, Operations, Marketing, Facilities, Finance—through feasibility, development, planning, and completion of fit-out and openings, ensuring on-time, on-budget, on-brand success.
Our Requirements:
* MRICS qualification with extensive experience in retail, hospitality, F&B, or QSR multi-site environments.
* Knowledge of property law and legislation.
* Commercially astute with a growth mindset, focused on results and exceeding customer expectations.
* Professional, approachable, and capable of representing the business externally at all levels.
* Proactive, flexible, and capable of managing a broad range of responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
* Strong organizational, administrative, and numerical skills with attention to detail.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and IT 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 Assistance Programme (health and wellbeing support)
* Long Service Awards
* Wagestream—access your pay in real-time and manage savings
* Life Assurance
* Cycle to Work
* Free on-site parking
* Various discounts (shopping, food & drink, entertainment, health & fitness) through Perkbox
* Opportunities for skill development within a growing company
Our people make us who we are. If you're ready for an exciting challenge and this role interests you, please apply today—we look forward to hearing from you.
COME ROLL WITH US!
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