At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of testing and quality assurance across innovative technology programmes.
- Company: Join Halfords, a forward-thinking company shaping the future of motoring and cycling.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus scheme, 25 days leave, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a focus on wellbeing and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by modernising testing practices and driving quality across diverse projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading testing functions and managing outsourced partners in tech environments.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
About us
Halfords is on a journey - building the future of motoring and cycling and looking for people who want to help shape what comes next. We’re a place for cocreators: people who want to make a real impact, take ownership and be part of something that’s still evolving. Technology at Halfords is at a turning point. We’re modernising our foundations, sharpening our delivery, and ensuring every technology decision is connected to real commercial and customer outcomes. We're looking for people who act as trusted advisors to the business, take end-to-end accountability for outcomes, and can balance pace with long-term architectural integrity. Innovation here means practical, scalable solutions, not ideas that stay on whiteboards. Halfords operates a hybrid working policy – this position will be based 3 days per week at our support centre in Redditch, West Midlands.
About the role
As Test & Quality Lead, you'll have the chance to build a modern testing capability from the ground up, establishing the strategy, standards and tooling that will underpin some of the largest technology programmes across the organisation. Working across a diverse technology landscape, you'll be responsible for embedding quality throughout the delivery lifecycle. You'll develop a clear test strategy, establish governance and quality standards, and ensure testing is viewed as an enabler of delivery rather than simply a checkpoint at the end of a project. A key focus of the role will be modernising our approach to testing and quality assurance. You'll work closely with our outsourced testing partner, driving performance, improving automation and introducing modern Quality Engineering practices that increase confidence, improve delivery speed and reduce operational risk. This is a highly visible position where you'll become the recognised authority for testing and quality across Halfords, influencing stakeholders at every level and playing a key role in our long-term technology transformation.
Key responsibilities
- Define and implement the Technology-wide Test and Quality Engineering strategy
- Establish testing standards, governance, quality gates and best practices across projects, programmes and platforms
- Lead the transformation towards greater automation, AI-enabled testing and modern Quality Engineering practices
- Manage and oversee outsourced testing teams and partners, ensuring quality, performance and value delivery
- Assess the testing landscape across applications and platforms, identifying opportunities for improvement and standardisation
- Provide independent quality assurance and risk assessment for major technology releases and programmes
- Deliver meaningful reporting and insight on quality, testing effectiveness, automation coverage and delivery risk
About you
- Proven experience leading enterprise-scale testing, quality assurance or Quality Engineering functions
- Strong experience managing third-party suppliers or outsourced testing partners within a complex technology environment
- Expertise in test strategy, governance, quality management and release assurance
- Experience implementing test automation and embedding quality controls within Agile and DevOps delivery models
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and build credibility across both technical and non-technical audiences
- Comfortable operating across multiple technology platforms and business domains, balancing risk, quality, delivery speed and commercial considerations
- Passionate about modern testing approaches, automation, AI and continuous improvement
Reward & benefits
A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, car allowance, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave. Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development. We help you to own and grow your potential so you can be at your best in your current role and to support your future career aspirations. We offer hybrid working with a blend of working in our Support Centre and from home. You will have access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services. Wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of our colleague experience. We offer resources and ongoing support to enhance your wellbeing at work and active Colleague Networks supporting inclusion initiatives across Halfords.
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.
Test & Quality Lead employer: Halfords Careers
At Halfords, we pride ourselves on being the UK's largest automotive service provider, offering a dynamic work environment where customer service advisors can thrive. With competitive salaries, an uncapped bonus scheme, and extensive benefits including discounts on products and services, we foster a culture of growth and inclusivity, ensuring every employee has the opportunity to advance their career while enjoying a supportive workplace. Join us in our mission to keep the nation moving and experience the unique advantages of working with a leading name in motoring and cycling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Test & Quality Lead
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Halfords Careers or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Halfords Careers.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Halfords Careers.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Halfords Careers that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Test & Quality Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Halfords Careers.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Halfords Careers and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords Careers
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Halfords Careers uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
