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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing and procurement to shape product ranges and drive profitability.
- Company: Join Halfords, a dynamic retail leader focused on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus scheme, hybrid working, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or category management with strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with ongoing support for personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
We are evolving our Commercial team into a dynamic Category Management model that is 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 are investing in our people - expanding capacity and nurturing talent across our Category teams. It is an exciting time to join Halfords, where you will discover exceptional development opportunities and have the chance to make an immediate, meaningful impact.
About The Role
Step into a pivotal role at the heart of our retail operation. As a Category Buyer, you will 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 will 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.
- 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.
About You
- 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.
Reward & Benefits
- 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.
- Hybrid working: base at Support Centre 3 days a week, optional 2 days from home.
- Employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services.
- Wellbeing and inclusion resources and ongoing support.
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 are 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.
Seniority level: Not Applicable
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Marketing, Sales, and General Business
Industries: Retail
Category Buyer in London employer: Halfords
Contact Detail:
Halfords 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 knowing your stuff! Research Halfords' recent projects and their category management approach. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your negotiation skills! Be ready to discuss past experiences where you’ve successfully managed supplier relationships or driven cost improvements. Real examples will make you stand out.
✨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 keen on 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 reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Category Buyer role. Highlight your multi-channel buying experience and any successful supplier relationships you've managed.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for Halfords. Share specific examples of how you've driven procurement benefits and improved category performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role is data-driven, mention any tools or methods you’ve used to analyse category performance. We want to see how you’ve used insights to make informed decisions in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Halfords!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specific category you'll be managing. Understand current trends, key competitors, and potential suppliers. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you secured better terms or built strong supplier relationships. This is crucial for a Category Buyer role, so make sure to articulate your strategies clearly.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform your buying decisions. Bring examples of KPIs you've monitored and how you've applied insights to improve category performance. This aligns perfectly with Halfords' focus on data-led decisions.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, prepare to talk about your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Share specific instances where your teamwork led to successful outcomes, demonstrating your ability to drive results in a dynamic environment.
