We are itsu, the leading Asian-inspired quick-service retail and grocery brand with over 80 restaurants across the UK, Belgium, and France, and a growing wholesale business across Europe and beyond. Our renowned delicious food made fresh in every restaurant, every day, has made itsu a top choice for healthy eating.

In addition to our restaurants, itsu [grocery] offers a range of high-quality Asian-inspired foods available online and in supermarkets. We are excited to be one of the leading brands in this specific group and have ambitious plans for continued growth both domestically and globally.

With its best-in-class-food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.

role responsibility

• Brand design ambassador across all markets working closely with the itsu founder.
• Work closely with the Creative Groups to agree the look and feel of Itsu shops across the Region.
• Liaise directly with internal and external teams to evolve design.
• Act as itsu’s Design Custodian with their Franchisee partners to ensure design continuity & high standards are maintained. 
• Implement, audit, evolve and maintain design guidelines (How to Build) on a regular basis and communicate change to the business.
• Establish relationships with external design agencies and suppliers to ensure that they are managed appropriately and focused on delivering to the highest standard.
• Produce and manage overall design budget.
• Negotiate fixed rates with the external agencies and ensure the company’s financial procedures are adhered to.
• Contribute to reducing shop build / fit out costs for overall estate across all markets.
• Produce innovative design solutions and consider the need to value engineer particularly where multiple site rollouts are concerned.
• Coordinate and manage the design process for special projects such as new concepts and tenders for transport hubs across all markets.
• Understand current retail trends and keep abreast of design innovation across all markets.
• To identify opportunities in the NSO / shop refurbishment programme to update and improve shop aesthetics.
• To prioritise plans for testing and roll-out according to business needs identified by the Property Director.
• To work closely with the Maintenance teams to ensure new fabrics and designs are robust and easily maintained.
• To review the success of activity and amend further plans if appropriate.
• To review all front of shop equipment and display fixtures (e.g. counters, catering equipment, furniture etc.) and make recommendations on how they should change / look aesthetically in order to convey Itsu to customers.
• To work with the Property Director and Founder to define and create the right ambience in shops to and external agencies through development of:
  • Lighting
  • Flooring
  • Fabric
  • Furniture
  • Colour and finishes
  • Signage

scope of the role

In this role, you will assume the management of the implementation and innovation of shop design across all formats in UK and European markets. 

You will also be accountable for the design of all NSOs and refurbishments through the management of internal itsu teams and external design agencies. 

You will strive to deliver designs seen as ‘cutting edge’ and market leading whilst easily maintainable, robust and operationally simple.

Your primary focus will be on shop aesthetics, to include atmosphere and ambience by the identification of opportunities to develop the fabric and fixtures and fittings throughout the estate.

You do not only creativity and resourcefulness but also the ability to deliver solutions within tight deadlines and the parameters of the budget as agreed with the Chief Development Officer, who you will report to.

the ideal candidate

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to integrate with wider teams
• Design diploma or degree which must be design based preferred
• Highly creative and innovative with the ability to inspire
• Extensive exposure to design principles
• Up to date knowledge of drawing packages and presentation packages, ideally with experience in Vectorworks & Adobe software
• Ability in freehand and presentation skills
• Retail design experience (comprehension of commercial QSR experience)
• Wide experience in managing internal and external design including agencies
• Ability to strive in a dynamic & fast changing environment

perks and benefits

• A competitive salary
• Flexible working, which consists of 1 day a week working from home, flexible working hours, and up to 2 weeks a year working from abroad. 
• Generous time off allowances, which include 25 days holiday plus bank holiday, enhanced family leave
• A free itsu lunch whenever you are in the office and 50% off in all stores, for when you are not. 
• We cover a variety of different benefits which cover off physical, mental, financial, environmental and social wellbeing. These include private medical care, access to PLUMM, Life Assurance and Wagestream. 
• An array of business events and socials throughout the year, including team days out, summer party (for the whole family), itsu Christmas party and Santa visit for those with children, pride and quarterly business events. 

No matter what you do at itsu, it's important to us that everyone has access to the same opportunities. We are a truly diverse bunch, from all walks of life and you'll always be encouraged to be your true self