Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing and procurement activities to drive category strategy and profitability.
- Company: Join Halfords, a dynamic retail company focused on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, employee discounts, and personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced retail environment with exceptional career growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or category management with strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a commitment to wellbeing and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We're evolving our Commercial team into a dynamic Category Management model that's fully aligned with our Retail strategy. This transformation creates a future-ready function that blends strategic insight, customer focus, and stronger cross-functional collaboration. Our approach empowers teams, sparks innovation, and drives data-led decisions that deliver sustainable growth.
To bring this vision to life, we're investing in our people - expanding capacity and nurturing talent across our Category teams. It's an exciting time to join Halfords, where you'll discover exceptional development opportunities and have the chance to make an immediate, meaningful impact. If you're ready to help lead the way in an ever-evolving retail landscape, we'd love to hear from you.
Step into a pivotal role at the heart of our retail operation. As a Category Buyer, you'll take full ownership of a key business area, steering sourcing and procurement activities that directly support category strategy and company profitability.
Working alongside the Head of Category, you'll help shape an exceptional product range, deliver robust pricing frameworks, and ensure critical business KPIs are consistently met. This role is central to building and managing strategic supplier relationships, across UK partners, brands, and our global partners - ensuring our direct sourcing activities remain best in class while achieving strong net profitability for the category.
A role for a commercially sharp, influential, and relationship-focused professional ready to make a meaningful impact in a fast-moving retail environment.
Key responsibilities:- Build and manage strong, long-term relationships with key suppliers to drive collaboration, competitive advantage, and industry-leading ways of working.
- Deliver ongoing sourcing benefits through effective negotiation, securing promotional support, and achieving net profitability targets that fuel category performance.
- Identify and introduce new suppliers, explore alternative markets, and develop buying alliances that enhance the Halfords proposition.
- Regularly assess category performance, monitor KPIs, and apply data-driven insights to make informed decisions that boost results.
- Develop and deliver category-specific ESG initiatives, highlighting key opportunities and challenges while supporting broader organisational goals.
- Work collaboratively with teams such as eCommerce, Marketing, and Supply Chain to execute category priorities and ensure seamless delivery.
- Provide coaching and guidance to Assistant Buyers, equipping them with the support and resources needed to execute sourcing plans effectively.
- Drive cost-of-goods improvements through market analysis, tendering, supplier challenge, and the effective use of profitability models to secure the best commercial outcomes.
- Collaborate with the Category Manager and Own Brand Manager to build a world-class own brand proposition, delivering ambitious targets while ensuring product quality, value, and brand principles are consistently upheld.
- A highly motivated retail professional with strong multi-channel Buying or Category Management experience, thriving in fast-paced and dynamic environments.
- A confident, results-driven negotiator with a proven track record of delivering procurement benefits and managing strategic supplier relationships. You will have experience in global sourcing and own-brand development.
- A customer-focused, data-driven thinker who uses insight and analytics to enhance range propositions and improve purchasing performance.
- Commercially sharp and resilient, with the ability to plan effectively and manage competing priorities.
- A natural leader who can inspire, guide, and motivate both direct reports and cross-functional colleagues to achieve shared goals.
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 in our Support Centre, you will be based at our Support Centre 3 days a week with an optional 2 days working 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.
Hybrid working policy: At Halfords, we operate a hybrid working policy with 3 days on site at our Support Centre in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Category Buyer in London employer: Halfords Group PLC
Contact Detail:
Halfords Group PLC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Halfords on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Halfords' recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to our exciting transformation in the Commercial team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to secure the best deals. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Halfords family.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Buyer role. Highlight relevant experience in buying or category management, and don’t forget to showcase your negotiation skills and supplier relationship management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for Halfords. Mention specific examples of how you've driven results in previous roles and how you can contribute to our dynamic team.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role involves data-driven decision-making, be sure to highlight any experience you have with analytics. Talk about how you've used data to improve purchasing performance or category strategies in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords Group PLC
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Category Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of key performance indicators (KPIs) and how they relate to category performance. Brush up on relevant metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data-driven insights in past roles to make informed decisions.
✨Supplier Relationship Savvy
Since building strong relationships with suppliers is crucial, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed supplier partnerships in the past. Highlight any negotiation successes or innovative collaborations that led to competitive advantages.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience in global sourcing and own-brand development. Think of specific instances where your commercial sharpness led to significant cost savings or improved product offerings, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with various teams like eCommerce and Marketing. Prepare to talk about how you've effectively collaborated across departments in previous positions, and how you can bring that collaborative spirit to Halfords.
