Product Development Technologist (Grocery)

Wasabi Sushi & Bento

Founded in 2003 by Dong Hyun Kim, his mission was simple, to make fresh and flavorsome sushi and bento available to everyone. Almost 20 years later Wasabi have 40 successful branches across London, other UK major cities and New York. The journey continued in 2019 with the launch of Wasabi Home Bento exclusively into Sainsburys. After several years of great success there, the grocery business expanded launching into Tesco in September 2022. Wasabi has now firmly established itself as the No2 chilled ready meal brand and a driver of significant market growth. And we re just getting started. The leadership team have set out their 5 year strategy which encompasses company growth, franchise and international expansion.

Our menu is renowned for its distinctiveness, freshness and flavour. The cold food range of sushi, pokes and salads are made fresh daily in our branch kitchens and our hot bento, noodle bowls and soups offer an indulgent and comforting alternative to our broad and democratic demographic.

As we prepare for our next phase of growth and innovation, we have an incredibly exciting opportunity for a Product Development Technologist to join our Food Team based in Park Royal.

The Role:

Technical Food Development, delivering agreed launched projects. Converting recipes and product to operations.

Key Responsibilities (but not limited to):

• Accountable for developing products and recipes according to Central Production Unit capabilities.
• Accountable for conducting assigned EPD and NPD.
• Responsible for conducting organoleptic testing on all new recipes created.
• Accountable for writing initial cooking/ reheating instructions for each successful product passing gate 1.
• Accountable for providing relevant specifications of all new raw materials and validating via testing and tasting for and on behalf of procurement team.
• Responsible for nutritional calculations for any NPD & EPD.
• Accountable for producing samples as and when required working with development chefs. (Presentations, Photography, Tasting Sessions, and Testing.)
• Lead NPD timelines and process from concept to successful gate two.
• Responsible for preparing and issuing all relevant information and documentation at each gate through the critical path process. (Food passport, Costings, CPU handover and launch.)
• Responsible for the hand over all new recipes to the process team and liaising with production, planning, and process team to ensure trials are successful, completed in the time required and fully documented.
• Attend Central Production Unit upscale trials and process development.
• Accountable for managing and leading validating new raw materials project in conjunction with procurement team scheduled and ad hoc.
• Facilitate regular benchmarking sessions and taste panels with product development manager.
• Responsible for driving food quality in Central Production Unit and provide solutions to quality related problems and incidents.
• Attend a minimum of one taste panel per week and provide advice for corrective action to QA team and operations teams.

Our Requirements:

• Previous experience working as a Process or Food Technologist within the food manufacturing industry.
• Qualified degree in a food related discipline food science, technology, home economics.
• Demonstrates an above standard knowledge of food, ingredients, and culinary practices.
• Highly creative and passionate about food with knowledge of South Asian / Japanese and Korean food trends and good industry awareness.
• Certificate in Food Hygiene
• A proactive personality, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• A methodical approach, be organised with good prioritisation skills, the ability to work to short deadlines and attention to detail.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Can work on multiple projects simultaneously with ease and thriving in a busy fast-paced environment.

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
• Wagestream – a financial wellbeing benefit that lets you access your pay as you earn it in real time and manage savings
• Life Assurance
• 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. 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!