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- Tasks: Drive sales and maximise margins in the Servicing & MOT category.
- Company: Join Halfords, the UK's leading motoring and cycling retailer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, employee discounts, and personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer experience and shape the future of motoring services.
- Qualifications: Experience in Category Management or Buying with strong commercial acumen.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a focus on wellbeing and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Halfords is the UK's leading provider of motoring and cycling products and services. Our mission is to inspire and support a lifetime of motoring and cycling. As a specialist retailer, we lead the market through customer-driven innovation and a distinctive product range. We're committed to delivering an integrated, convenient service experience - from e-bike and electric vehicle servicing to on-demand solutions. At Halfords, we strive to build lasting customer loyalty by offering compelling reasons to return, ensuring every journey is enjoyable for years to come.
Join Halfords as a Category Manager for Servicing & MOT and take ownership of one of our most critical categories. You'll be responsible for driving sales, maximising gross margin, and delivering a market-leading offer that keeps customers coming back. From pricing strategy and promotional campaigns to range reviews and brand selection, you'll use every lever to grow performance and strengthen our competitive edge.
This is your chance to combine commercial acumen with customer insight. You'll analyse market trends, identify growth opportunities, and negotiate supplier agreements to ensure we deliver quality, value, and innovation. If you're ready to make a measurable impact and help shape the future of motoring services, we want to hear from you.
Key responsibilities:
- Put the customer at the heart of every decision, working closely with marketing, customer and digital teams to deliver the best experience.
- Gain a deep understanding of each sub-product group, including market size, trends, competition, and growth opportunities.
- Contribute to building a category plan that captures market insights and identifies opportunities to increase sales, profit, and market share.
- Act on customer feedback to keep our offer competitive and compelling.
- Define brand selection strategy and manage range reviews to ensure products and services perform to expectations.
- Design and implement impactful promotional campaigns in collaboration with marketing and channel teams.
- Develop pricing strategies that maximise gross margin and optimise price elasticity through regular benchmarking.
- Identify and launch new products and services relevant to the category.
- Negotiate supplier agreements, ensuring compliance with ESG, CSR, and ethical trading standards while securing the best cost prices.
- Monitor supplier performance, manage rebates, and take proactive steps to maximise returns.
About you:
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving profitability.
- Previous experience in Category Management or Buying.
- Skilled negotiator with experience managing complex supplier relationships.
- Customer-focused and skilled at identifying and responding to customer needs.
- Confident in engaging and influencing senior leadership teams.
- Ability to lead, coach, and mentor a direct report effectively.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make fact-based decisions.
- Industry experience is not essential, but retail or automotive (or similar) is advantageous.
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 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 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.
At Halfords, we operate a hybrid working policy with 3 days on site at our Support Centre in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Category Manager – Servicing & MOT 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 Manager – Servicing & MOT in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Halfords and understanding their mission. Be ready to discuss how your skills in category management can drive sales and enhance customer loyalty. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate supplier agreements. Role-play with a friend to build confidence and refine your approach.
✨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.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager – Servicing & MOT in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about becoming a Category Manager at Halfords and how you can contribute to our mission of inspiring a lifetime of motoring and cycling.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the job description. Highlight your experience in category management, buying, and any relevant skills that align with what we’re looking for. This helps us see how you fit into our team and the impact you could make!
Be Specific with Examples: Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your skills and achievements. Whether it’s driving sales or negotiating supplier agreements, we love to see concrete evidence of your success and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Halfords and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords Group PLC
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong commercial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to sales, gross margin, and market trends in the automotive sector. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Customer-Centric Mindset
Halfords puts customers at the heart of everything. Prepare examples of how you've responded to customer feedback or improved customer experiences in your past roles. Show that you understand the importance of aligning product offerings with customer needs.
✨Master Negotiation Skills
Negotiating supplier agreements is a big part of this role. Think of specific instances where you've successfully negotiated terms or managed supplier relationships. Highlight your approach to ensuring compliance with ethical standards while securing the best deals.
✨Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with marketing and digital teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated across departments in the past. Share examples of successful campaigns or projects that required teamwork and how you contributed to their success.
