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- Tasks: Transform workforce planning for a 500-site garage network, driving performance and operational excellence.
- Company: Join Halfords, a leading UK provider of motoring and cycling services with a strong focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, 30 days leave, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in reshaping operations and enhancing customer experience in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior operations or workforce planning roles, with strong analytical and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Us
Halfords is a leading UK provider of motoring and cycling services, with a diverse portfolio spanning specialist retail, an extensive garage network, Commercial Fleet Services and a growing B2B offering. Together, these businesses enable us to support customers and offer integrated, convenient solutions, ranging from e-bike and electric vehicle servicing to on-demand motoring services. With a national footprint and an expanding services proposition, our ambition is to build a best-in-class automotive services business that customers trust and colleagues are proud to be part of. As a specialist retailer, we lead the market through customer-driven innovation, expert service and a distinctive product range, giving customers compelling reasons to return throughout a lifetime of motoring and cycling. We are trusted experts that take pride in keeping the nation moving.
The business continues to evolve, with new leadership shaping the next phase of growth. This role plays a central part in how our garages network develops, creating a more customer-focused, commercially driven and high-performing operation.
About the role
This is not a traditional central operations role. It is a high-impact transformation position focused on reshaping how a 500-site garage network is planned, resourced, measured and improved. You will lead the evolution of Central Operations, moving the function from a support-focused model to a more strategic, commercially driven capability that sits at the heart of performance across our garages business.
A key focus of the role is the transformation of our labour model. You will define and deliver a more flexible, data-led approach to workforce planning, ensuring the right capacity, capability and cost base to support both performance and growth. Working closely with Operations, Commercial, Marketing and Technology teams, you will play a critical role in shaping how we improve productivity, drive performance and embed more consistent, scalable ways of working across the network.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the transformation of workforce planning and labour modelling across a 500-site garage network, moving from fixed, site-based models to flexible, demand-led deployment.
- Use data and performance insight to define optimal capacity, skill mix and resource allocation, balancing cost, customer experience and operational effectiveness.
- Drive a step-change in operational performance by translating insight into targeted, high-impact interventions across the network.
- Build and evolve a robust performance framework, using a balanced set of metrics to identify opportunity and track delivery.
- Lead the continuous improvement agenda, defining best-in-class processes, testing new approaches and scaling proven improvements across the estate.
- Ensure process improvements are translated into tangible capacity and productivity gains, feeding directly into labour and operating models.
- Act as the key interface between the garage network and the wider business, ensuring new propositions, initiatives and changes are effectively deployed and embedded.
- Partner with senior operational leaders to challenge, influence and align on performance, resource planning and delivery of business targets.
- Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary Central Operations team spanning performance, planning, change and operational support.
About you
- Proven experience in a senior operations, workforce planning or transformation role within a large, complex, field-based service environment.
- Strong track record of designing and implementing labour models, workforce strategies or operational performance frameworks at scale.
- Highly commercial mindset, with the ability to balance cost optimisation with customer experience, safety and quality.
- Strong analytical capability, with experience using data and insight to drive decision-making and performance improvement.
- Experience leading change in complex, multi-site environments, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and deliver sustainable outcomes.
- Credibility and confidence to influence and challenge senior stakeholders, including operational leaders with significant field responsibility.
- Experience within automotive, garages, service or adjacent sectors, with a clear understanding of operational dynamics in similar environments.
- A strategic thinker who can move beyond day-to-day execution to redesign how a function operates and delivers value.
Reward & benefits
- A competitive salary, benchmarked against market data, alongside car allowance and annual bonus.
- Pension, life assurance and 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Ongoing personal and professional development, with support to grow your career within Halfords.
- Hybrid working, with a mix of field, office and home-based work.
- Access to a wide range of colleague discounts across Halfords products and services.
- A strong focus on wellbeing and inclusion, with support and resources to help you thrive at work.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Halfords, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for our colleagues. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds, embracing diversity within our one Halfords family.
Central Operations Director- Garages employer: Halfords Careers
Contact Detail:
Halfords Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Central Operations Director- Garages
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the automotive and operations sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Halfords and its operations. Understand their current challenges and think about how your skills can help them transform their garage network. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but also passionate about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in workforce planning and operational performance clearly and concisely.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Halfords family and contributing to their exciting transformation journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Central Operations Director- Garages
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Central Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in workforce planning and transformation, and how it aligns with our vision at Halfords.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role is all about using data to drive performance, don’t forget to mention any relevant analytical skills or tools you’ve used. We want to see how you can turn insights into action!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining the Halfords family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords Careers
✨Know the Business Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Halfords' operations, especially their garage network. Understand their services, recent innovations, and how they aim to enhance customer experience. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and align your vision with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Transformation Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led transformation initiatives. Highlight how you used data to drive decisions and improve operational performance, as this is crucial for the Central Operations Director role.
✨Emphasise Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've used data and insights to inform workforce planning and resource allocation. Bring examples of metrics you've developed or used to track performance improvements, as this aligns perfectly with the job's requirements.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've influenced senior stakeholders in previous roles. Prepare to share strategies you've used to gain buy-in for new initiatives, as this will be key in your role at Halfords, where collaboration across teams is essential.