At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive supplier performance and compliance while identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- Company: Join Halfords, a leader in innovative procurement and vendor management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, pension, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming supplier relationships into strategic partnerships.
- Qualifications: Experience in supplier management and strong relationship-building skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
Our GNFR Procurement and Vendor Management function sets a bold strategic direction aligned to enterprise-wide Risk Management, Value Creation through sourcing, and Value Preservation throughout the contract lifecycle. As a newly established function, we combine strong commercial capability with a proactive governance model to protect and enhance operating leverage for Halfords Group.
About The Role
As a Supplier Manager at Halfords, you’ll be at the heart of our Supplier Management Centre of Expertise (CoE), driving value by ensuring contract benefits are fully realised from consolidation and sourcing to negotiation. You will be responsible for the effective management of our supplier’s compliance and performance, including risk assessment, uncover savings opportunities, lead projects to simplify our Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) cost base, and empower data-driven decisions around renewals, negotiations and Supplier development.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the onboarding and implementation of key Supplier relationships, collaborating across internal teams to ensure successful setup, ongoing management and cooperation.
- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of cost drivers and trends to identify opportunities and efficiencies. Analyse total cost of ownership for end-to-end Supplier processes.
- Provide critical support during the hyper‑care phase for critical Suppliers, driving performance insights and enabling smooth handover to budget holders.
- Manage key Supplier relationships with balance scorecards and identify performance trends, delivering strategic insights and management information to inform future decisions.
- Collaborate with Supplier Managers across the organisation to implement consistent processes and controls aligned with Group CoE standards.
- Run governance meetings and use strong commercial acumen to solve complex challenges, engaging stakeholders and driving clear, actionable risk mitigation strategies.
- Collect and analyse Supplier compliance and performance data to influence contract reviews, renewals and project benefit realisation.
- Identify supplier risks and manage and mitigate ongoing risk register.
- Own Supplier development for key Goods and Services, supporting operations and teams to create sustainable, innovative and market-aware requirements.
- Identify and act on opportunities for continuous improvement, to simplify, consolidate and enhance engagement with Suppliers.
- Serve as an escalation point for Supplier issues, providing expert advice and guidance to resolve challenges effectively.
About You
- Established experience in Supplier Management, delivering strong results across strategic areas including Operational, Property, Logistics and Technology functions.
- Skilled in managing Suppliers within matrix environments, collaborating effectively with product and service owners, finance teams and project managers across multiple departments.
- Exceptional relationship management abilities, transforming Supplier interactions from transactional to strategic partnerships that create value for customers, employees and Suppliers alike.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders across technical, operational, financial and commercial teams to achieve business outcomes.
- Experienced in conducting robust negotiations, benchmarking and developing compelling business cases.
- Curious to learn more about Supplier performance impact on our front line operations in Garages, Retail and B2B services.
- Strong organisational and management skills with a focus on identifying, monitoring and extracting insights from Supplier relationships.
- Results‑driven with a history of successful execution, including managing change, transitions and monitoring Total Cost of Ownership.
- Proficient in supplier data analysis and performance management, able to clearly communicate progress, risks, dependencies and budget adherence.
Reward & Benefits
A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus.
Supplier Manager in London employer: Halfords
Contact Detail:
Halfords Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supplier Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Supplier Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in managing supplier relationships and driving value. Use real examples to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges and delivered results.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like Halfords, and express your interest in working with them. You never know when an opportunity might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and showcase your skills. Plus, applying directly can give you a leg up in the hiring process. Let’s get you that Supplier Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Supplier Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Supplier Manager role. Highlight your experience in supplier management and any relevant achievements that align with our needs at Halfords. We want to see how you can drive value and manage relationships effectively!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about supplier management and how your skills can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific examples of your past successes in similar roles.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since data-driven decisions are key in this role, make sure to highlight your analytical abilities. Share examples of how you've used data to influence supplier performance or identify cost-saving opportunities. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords
✨Know Your Suppliers Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the suppliers relevant to Halfords. Familiarise yourself with their performance metrics, compliance standards, and any recent news or changes in the industry. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also your ability to engage in informed discussions about supplier management.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of past negotiations you've led or been a part of. Highlight how you approached these situations, the strategies you employed, and the outcomes achieved. This will demonstrate your capability to handle complex challenges and drive value through effective negotiation.
✨Emphasise Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you've used data analysis to influence supplier performance and decision-making in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've identified cost-saving opportunities or improved supplier relationships through data insights. This aligns perfectly with the role's focus on data-driven decisions.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage supplier relationships. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.