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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and drive sustainable growth across all channels.
- Company: Join Halfords, a market leader in motoring and cycling innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, 30 days leave, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Halfords and make a lasting impact in a pivotal role.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in category management and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a commitment to personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About us
At Halfords, our mission is to keep the nation moving through the inspiration and support of a lifetime of motoring and cycling. As a specialist retailer, we lead the market through customer-driven innovation and a distinctive product range. We are committed to providing customers with an integrated and convenient experience across retail, autocentres and digital services. Halfords is evolving its commercial function into a true category management model fully aligned to our retail strategy and long-term growth ambitions.
About the role
The Head of Category is a pivotal, newly created leadership role within our Commercial function. You will own the strategic direction, performance and development of a major category, leading your team to deliver sustainable growth, improved profitability and competitive advantage across all channels. Operating at a senior level, you will define Category strategy, set the commercial agenda and translate insight into action. You will balance trading performance with longer-term strategic objectives, ensuring Halfords builds differentiated customer-led propositions that perform in the market. You will lead and develop a high-performing category team, working closely with senior stakeholders across e-commerce, marketing, supply chain, finance and operations to deliver shared goals.
Key responsibilities
- Own and deliver end-to-end category strategy, shaping range, sourcing, pricing and promotional direction across online and store channels
- Lead category performance, holding accountability for sales, margin and profitability targets
- Define and lead supplier strategy, building strong strategic partnerships that drive innovation, value and long-term growth
- Set and deliver annual category plans and budgets, ensuring performance is tracked and optimised against clear KPIs
- Use data, insight and market intelligence to inform decisions, identify opportunities and manage risk
- Drive range and proposition development, ensuring customer needs, market trends and own brand ambitions are fully embedded
- Lead ESG compliance and category-specific sustainability initiatives in line with wider business priorities
- Work cross-functionally to align category priorities with trading, supply chain, marketing and digital activity
- Develop, coach and inspire your team, building capability and succession within the category function
About You
- Highly experienced category leader from retail, trade, wholesale or adjacent environments with significant category management and buying leadership experience
- Strong background in complex, multi-channel commercial environments with experience operating at pace and managing complexity
- A confident, commercially astute leader with a track record of delivering category growth and profitability
- Highly skilled in negotiation and supplier management with experience of global sourcing and brand development
- Data-led and analytically strong, able to translate insight into clear strategic action
- A collaborative leader who can influence at a senior level and bring cross-functional teams together
- Comfortable setting strategy as well as rolling sleeves up to deliver execution
- Proven ability to grow and develop a high-performing team, balancing coaching, mentoring, and constructive challenge to build capability and drive results
Reward and Benefits
- A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, plus car allowance and an annual discretionary bonus
- Pension, life assurance, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave
- Commitment to your ongoing personal and professional development, supporting you to perform at your best and progress your career at Halfords
- Hybrid working based at our Support Centre, with three days a week on site and two days working from home
- Access to a wide range of colleague discounts across the Halfords product and service portfolio
- Well-being and inclusion at the heart of our colleague experience, with access to support resources and active colleague networks across the business
Inclusive Workplace
Not sure you meet all the criteria? We’d encourage you to take the wheel and apply anyway! At Halfords we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for our colleagues. We’re an equal opportunities employer and proud to welcome applications from all backgrounds and embrace diversity within our one Halfords Family.
Hybrid Working Policy
At Halfords, we operate a hybrid working policy with three days on site at our Support Centre in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Head of Category in Redditch employer: Halfords Careers
Contact Detail:
Halfords Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Category in Redditch
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their mission, values, and recent developments. When we show genuine interest and knowledge about Halfords, it sets us apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. The more comfortable we are with our responses, the more confident we’ll be when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping us top of mind. Plus, it shows our enthusiasm for the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Category in Redditch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Category role. Highlight your experience in category management and how it aligns with Halfords' mission to keep the nation moving.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've driven category growth and profitability in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes, so include metrics where possible!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We want to see who you are beyond your professional experience. Share your passion for retail and how you can contribute to Halfords’ exciting transformation.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords Careers
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Halfords' category management approach. Understand their product range, recent innovations, and how they align with customer needs. This will help you articulate how your experience can drive their category strategy forward.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Since the role is heavily data-driven, be prepared to discuss how you've used data and market intelligence in past roles. Bring examples of how your analytical skills have led to successful category decisions or growth strategies.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams. Share specific instances where you've developed talent or fostered collaboration across departments. This will show that you can inspire and manage a team effectively at Halfords.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in complex, multi-channel environments. Think of scenarios where you've balanced short-term trading with long-term strategy, and be ready to discuss your thought process and outcomes.