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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategies and manage supplier relationships for high-value categories.
- Company: Join Halfords, a dynamic retail leader 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 while driving sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or category management with strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace culture with a commitment to employee wellbeing and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Join to apply for the Senior Category Buyer role at Halfords.
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 futureâready function that blends strategic insight, customer focus, and stronger crossâfunctional collaboration. Our approach empowers teams, sparks innovation, and drives dataâled decisions that deliver sustainable growth. We are investing in our people â 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
As a Senior Category Buyer, you will own and lead a highâvalue or strategically complex category, setting the direction for sourcing and procurement activities that underpin our commercial and strategic ambitions. You will be trusted to make significant decisions that drive category growth, profitability, and longâterm competitive advantage. Partnering closely with the Head of Category, you will influence and shape the category strategy, create marketâleading ranges and guide longâterm planning. You will take the lead in managing highâimpact supplier relationships, across UK brands and global partners â ensuring our sourcing activity sets the benchmark for cost, quality, innovation, and sustainability.
This role is ideal for a commercially sharp, forwardâthinking senior professional who thrives on complexity, excels in strategic leadership, and is ready to play a pivotal role in Halfords' commercial transformation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of sourcing strategies for a complex or highâvalue category, driving longâterm commercial success and competitive advantage.
- Build and manage influential, seniorâlevel supplier relationships that unlock innovation, cost efficiency, and partnershipâled growth.
- Deliver substantial sourcing and profitability improvements through negotiation excellence, strategic supplier engagement, and rigorous commercial challenge.
- Identify new global sourcing opportunities and scalable supply solutions, proactively shaping the future direction of the category.
- Use advanced data and performance insight to inform strategic decisions, influence crossâfunctional priorities, and elevate longâterm category results.
- Lead categoryâspecific ESG plans, ensuring sustainability, compliance, and responsible sourcing are embedded within all supplier partnerships.
- Drive highâlevel crossâfunctional collaboration with eCommerce, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance to deliver category ambitions at pace.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and development to Category Buyers and Assistant Category Buyers, raising capability and building a highâperforming team culture.
- Champion costâofâgoods improvements through continuous market review, tendering, supplier optimisation, and strategic profitability modelling.
- Guide the development of a marketâleading own brand proposition, driving innovation, quality, and value while supporting the delivery of ambitious commercial targets.
About You
- A highly experienced retail professional with substantial Buying or Category Management responsibility, ideally gained in large, multiâchannel retail environments.
- A confident and influential negotiator with a track record of securing highâimpact commercial outcomes, managing complex supplier portfolios, and delivering significant procurement benefits.
- Skilled in global sourcing, ownâbrand development, and managing diverse supply chains across multiple geographies.
- A strategic and analytical thinker who leverages data, market insight, and performance trends to shape longâterm commercial direction.
- Commercially strong, resilient, and capable of managing complexity while delivering at pace in a fastâmoving environment.
- A proven leader who inspires teams, elevates capability, and influences colleagues at all levels to achieve shared goals.
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 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.
At Halfords, we operate a hybrid working policy with 3 days on site at our Support Centre in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Senior Category Buyer in London employer: Halfords
Contact Detail:
Halfords Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ€«
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Buyer in London
âšTip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail industry, especially those who work at Halfords or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
âšTip 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 passionate about our mission and values.
âšTip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Category Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to secure high-impact outcomes. Role-play scenarios with a friend to build your confidence.
âšTip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us youâre serious about joining the Halfords family.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Buyer in London
Some tips for your application đ«Ą
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Category Buyer role. Highlight your experience in category management and any relevant achievements that align with Halfords' goals. We want to see how you can contribute to our commercial transformation!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your strategic leadership and negotiation skills, and how they can drive growth at Halfords.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since data-led decisions are key for us, make sure to highlight your analytical skills. Mention any tools or methodologies you've used to inform strategic decisions and how you've leveraged data to achieve results in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itâs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youâre considered for the role. Plus, it shows youâre keen on joining the Halfords family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords
âšKnow Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specific category you'll be managing. Understand market trends, key competitors, and potential suppliers. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
âšShowcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you secured significant outcomes. Highlight your strategies and how they led to cost efficiencies or innovative partnerships. This is crucial for a Senior Category Buyer role, so make sure to articulate your approach clearly.
âšEmphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
Halfords values collaboration across teams. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked with other departments like Marketing, Supply Chain, or Finance in previous roles. Share specific instances where your collaborative efforts led to successful outcomes.
âšDemonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role involves using data to inform strategies, come prepared with examples of how you've leveraged data insights in your previous positions. Discuss how these insights shaped your decisions and contributed to category growth or profitability.
