📍 hybrid 3 days a week at wagamama, London. Food is life and we’re here to make every bite count. With over 165 restaurants across the UK (and growing fast) we’ve been dishing up vibrant, fresh Asian‑inspired flavours since ’92. It’s all about good food, good vibes, and good company.
What we’re looking for
This role is responsible for our exciting menu + product range, including the development and launch of all food + drink. A solid leader for the food team, this role takes a lead from and directly influences the executive team, and is instrumental in shaping the strategy and tactical execution of food + drink development for successful launch into our restaurants. The role is a 12‑month fixed‑term contract.
What you’ll do
* Plan and manage the full menu development programme, including milestones, interdependencies, and critical paths + rollouts end to end.
* Lead the full food development agenda, overseeing and developing the strategic direction of the product range to ensure it exceeds competitors on range, innovation, quality, and value.
* Partner with the insights team and development chefs to ensure all food development briefs are grounded in guest needs and consider market trends.
* Ensure all menu additions and removals align with brand pledges, sourcing policies, and standards.
* Develop, cost, and price new dishes to ensure they meet required GP targets.
* Manage the menu process manager’s + menu + recipe manager's delivery of tasks within the menu process, escalating issues where necessary.
* Carry out supplier visits to explore NPD opportunities and build a bank of future‑ready products.
* Brief suppliers on food development briefs to secure market‑leading innovation.
* Communicate pipeline innovation clearly and consistently across the business to ensure alignment and compliance.
* Lead the monthly exec food innovation sessions, including agenda setting, documentation, and follow‑up.
* Act as the organisational conscience of menu development, ensuring all parties remain aligned, informed, and on track.
What you’ll need
* An organised mind – must be a natural orchestrator with high attention to detail and feel at ease with timelines, project plans, and the general administration of what can be a challengingly complex process.
* Strong leadership skills – the role is fundamental to ensuring successful, innovation‑driving launches in our restaurants and therefore is looked upon as a leader by various people in the business.
* An insatiable curiosity around and passion for food that gives you great empathy with our chefs.
* Relationship builder who naturally puts themselves in the shoes of others and influences through energy, giving them an ability to get the best out of a wider number of people with very different styles.
* Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and a willingness to be upskilled to use Adobe Indesign for specs etc.
* A well‑rounded understanding of the food business, working within the industry for a number of years with relevant experience.
* To be educated to degree level or equivalent senior leadership experience.
* Food‑specific, leadership management or project management qualifications are advantageous but not essential.
What’s in it for you
* A great competitive salary.
* Hybrid working.
* Come-as-you-are culture, with modern offices, fresh fruit and soft drinks.
* £200 monthly Wagamama food allowance – enjoy all your favourite dishes on us!
* Private healthcare.
* 3% pension contribution.
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
* + further discounts across retail, hospitality & leisure – perks that make life sweeter.
* Supporting you every step of the way! Family‑friendly pay: 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for expectant or adopting parents.
Nothing brings people together like great food. No matter where you’re from or who you are, you’ve got a seat at our table because food is the ultimate connector, and here everyone belongs.
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