Specialist Tyre Category Manager

Halfords Group PLC; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fleet services company in the UK is seeking a Specialist Tyre Category Manager to optimize sales and market share. The role involves developing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and driving performance through data insights. Candidates should have significant experience in Buying and Category Management, ideally within the OTR industry. The company offers a hybrid working model with flexibility to travel across the UK.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Buying and Category Management, ideally within the OTR industry.
• Strong customer-focused and leadership skills.
• Ability to enhance customer experience using data.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategy for category sales and profit.
• Monitor KPIs and leverage insights for decision-making.
• Build strategic supplier relationships and negotiate terms.
• Champion ESG initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
• Provide guidance to category managers.

Skills

Buying and Category Management experience

Data and analytics utilization

Negotiation skills

Commercial skills

Experience in OTR and Specialist industry

Job description

Apply now Job no: 561879
Work type: Full time
Site: Stafford
Categories: Central Support
Location: Staffordshire
Salary: Competitive
Business Area: Commercial Fleet Services

Halfords Commercial Fleet Services (HCFS) is looking for a Specialist Tyre Category Manager who plays a crucial role in managing and driving the success of our business area. This critical role within our Commercial Fleet Services business oversees the strategic direction and performance of the category and provides clear guidance to the management team to ensure that key business KPIs are achieved. The role holder is responsible for ensuring that other business functions are clear on the goals and KPIs of the category, resolving issues, driving performance, and escalating issues where necessary if insufficient progress is being made against key objectives. The role holder plays a key role in establishing and managing strategic supplier relationships and for ensuring the underlying net profitability targets for the category are achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a long‑term 'go-to-market' strategy to optimise sales, profit, and market share for the category. Lead the team, focusing on product assortment, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and curating an optimised range of specialist tyres.
• Regularly assess category performance, monitor KPIs, and leverage data‑driven insights to make informed decisions that improve results and drive category success.
• Utilise market data and insights to identify emerging trends, understand consumer behaviour, and monitor the competitive landscape. Integrate these insights into category plans to protect current business and capitalise on growth opportunities.
• Build strategic relationships with key suppliers, negotiate favourable terms, secure promotional support, and achieve net profitability targets to drive category performance and growth.
• Develop and execute category‑specific ESG initiatives aligned with broader organisational goals. Identify opportunities and challenges within the category, communicating them to the ESG committee for support.
• Champion Specialist sector activity within HCFS and Halfords Group and establish strong partnerships with cross‑functional teams to accomplish category priorities and objectives effectively.
• Provide guidance and coaching to category managers, ensuring they have the necessary resources and support to execute category plans effectively and achieve desired outcomes.

About you

• A highly motivated individual with a passion for retail and significant experience in Buying and Category Management positions, preferably within the OTR industry, who thrives in a fast‑paced environment.
• A customer‑focused leader with a strong background in utilising data and analytics to enhance customer experience and proposition within service business.
• A highly driven, experienced, and confident negotiator capable of managing important relationships with some of Halfords' largest suppliers.
• Excellent commercial skills, resilience, and the ability to plan and work under pressure are key attributes for success in this role.
• Experience in the OTR and Specialist industry is essential.

Not sure you meet all the criteria? We'd 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.

Working conditions

At Halfords Commercial Fleet Services, we operate a hybrid working policy with 2 days per week on‑site at our Stafford office. The role requires flexibility to travel to sites and suppliers across the UK.