At a Glance
- Tasks: Support supply chain operations and ensure products are available for customers.
- Company: Join Halfords, a leading retailer in motoring and cycling.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, employee discounts, and personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Retail or supply chain experience with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a focus on wellbeing and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
About us
At Halfords, 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 distinct product range. We are dedicated to providing our customers with an integrated, unique, and convenient service experience—from e-bike and electric vehicle servicing to on-demand solutions. Our commitment is to foster customer loyalty by offering compelling reasons to keep coming back to our stores, ensuring a lifetime of motoring and cycling enjoyment. The teams at our Redditch Support Centre work with every other area of our business to be at the heart of the action and play a key role in our success and growth.
About the role
As a Supply Chain Assistant at Halfords, you’ll sit at the heart of our merchandising and supply chain operation, helping ensure the right products are in the right place at the right time for our customers. This is a hands-on, analytical role with real ownership, working end to end across forecasting, stock planning, supplier coordination and distribution centre activity to maximise availability and sales across key product categories. You’ll work closely with Buyers, Merchandise Planners, suppliers and DC teams to forecast demand, plan stock in and out, and keep everything aligned to open-to-buy and KPI targets. Day-to-day, you’ll analyse sales performance, identify under- and over-performing lines, and pull the right levers to drive availability and reduce risk. From placing orders to tracking throughput and resolving stock issues, you’ll play a key role in keeping high-volume, fast-moving products on the shelves. This role suits someone who enjoys pace, problem-solving and numbers. You’ll be comfortable working with large data sets in Excel, confident engaging multiple stakeholders, and motivated by seeing the direct impact of your decisions on stores and customers.
Key responsibilities
- Support end-to-end supply chain and merchandising activity, from demand forecasting to stock delivery into stores and online.
- Analyse sales and stock performance to identify risks, opportunities, and actions to maximise availability and sales.
- Assist in building and maintaining forecasts, intake plans, and open-to-buy controls.
- Manage stock flow through Distribution Centres, working closely with DC teams to resolve availability or volume issues.
- Monitor and support delivery of key KPIs, including stock availability, sell-through, and stock investment.
- Collaborate with Buyers, Merchandise Planners, and suppliers to ensure plans are aligned and executed effectively.
- Support promotional activity, range changes, and seasonal planning, ensuring stock is in the right place at the right time.
- Use Excel and reporting tools to produce regular performance analysis and recommendations.
- Act as a day-to-day contact for supplier and store queries, providing timely and accurate support.
- Identify and elevate issues early, proposing practical solutions in a fast-paced environment.
About you
- Proven retail or supply chain experience, ideally within merchandising, planning, or stock management.
- Strong numerical and analytical capability, with intermediate Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, formulas).
- Comfortable working with large data sets and turning insight into clear actions.
- Commercially minded, with a strong understanding of how stock availability drives sales and customer experience.
- Confident working cross-functionally and communicating with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Highly organised, detail-focused, and able to manage multiple priorities at pace.
- Proactive, solutions-oriented, and comfortable taking ownership rather than waiting for direction.
- Motivated by fast-moving environments where your decisions have visible impact.
Benefits
A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, 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.
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.
Supply Chain Assistant employer: Halfords Group PLC
Contact Detail:
Halfords Group PLC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Halfords and understand their mission and values. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral—definitely a win!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common supply chain questions. Think about how your skills align with the role and be ready to share examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Supply Chain Assistant role. Highlight relevant experience in retail or supply chain, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and Excel prowess!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about supply chain management and how your skills align with our mission at Halfords. Keep it engaging and personal.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in fast-paced environments. We love candidates who can think on their feet and come up with practical solutions!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get you into the process quickly. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords Group PLC
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Supply Chain Assistant, you'll be dealing with data all the time. Brush up on your Excel skills, especially pivot tables and formulas. Be ready to discuss how you've used data analysis in past roles to drive decisions or improve stock availability.
✨Understand the Supply Chain
Familiarise yourself with the end-to-end supply chain process. Be prepared to talk about how demand forecasting, stock planning, and supplier coordination work together. Showing that you understand these concepts will impress your interviewers.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
This role is all about identifying risks and opportunities. Think of examples from your previous experience where you successfully resolved stock issues or improved sales performance. Highlight your proactive approach and solutions-oriented mindset.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
You'll be working closely with various teams, so demonstrate your communication skills. Prepare to discuss how you've collaborated with others in the past, whether it's Buyers, Merchandise Planners, or suppliers. Show that you're comfortable engaging with different stakeholders.