Halfords

About us

Halfords is on a journey - building the future of motoring and cycling and looking for people who want to help shape what comes next. We’re a place for co‑creators: people who want to make a real impact, take ownership and be part of something that’s still evolving.

As the UK’s leading retailer of motoring and cycling products, we’re supported by one of the country’s largest independent vehicle servicing, maintenance and repair networks through Halfords Autocentres. This breadth gives us a strong, stable foundation - and the freedom to keep innovating and growing.

That means real variety for our colleagues, along with the opportunity to learn, stretch and develop as the business moves forward. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a team focused on delivering exceptional service - using your expertise to solve problems, guide customers and help keep the nation moving with confidence.

About the role

Join us as our Senior Operations Manager and take the lead of our Washford Distribution Centre, the heart of Halfords' bike distribution and assembly operation. With full accountability for all warehouse functions, you'll oversee the end-to-end flow of products through a fast-paced, high-volume fulfilment environment, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and exceptional service delivery. In addition to managing inbound and outbound operations, you'll lead a skilled team responsible for the build and preparation of bikes, ensuring products reach our customers safely, on time, and to the highest quality standards.

As a visible and inspiring leader, you'll champion a safety-first culture, drive colleague engagement, and embed continuous improvement across the distribution centre and wider logistics network. You'll play a key role in delivering strategic business objectives, developing future-ready capabilities, and creating a high-performing operation that reflects our company values.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end operational flow of the Distribution Centre, ensuring seamless movement of goods and effective handovers across all functions within a 24/7 operation.
• Drive labour deployment and resource planning to maximise productivity, maintain operational control, and respond effectively to changing volume demands.
• Ensure consistent execution of Standard Operating Procedures across all shifts, delivering operational discipline, compliance, and best practice at all times.
• Monitor and deliver key operational KPIs, proactively managing workflow, dock operations, trailer turnaround, and service levels to support network performance.
• Champion a safety-first culture by upholding rigorous Health, Safety and Environmental standards and holding leaders accountable for safe behaviours and compliance.
• Optimise warehouse performance through effective labour planning, shift design, capacity utilisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead the adoption and compliance of warehouse management systems (INFOR WMS), ensuring operational accuracy, process integrity, and system-driven execution.
• Develop, coach, and inspire Shift Managers and frontline teams, building leadership capability, driving colleague engagement, and fostering a high-performing, future-ready workforce.

About you

• Proven senior leadership experience within a fast-paced distribution, logistics, or fulfilment operation, with a track record of leading large teams and delivering operational excellence.
• Strong people leader with experience developing managers and colleagues, driving engagement, performance, accountability, and succession planning.
• Commercially minded with proven success managing labour budgets, controlling overtime, reducing agency dependency, and improving productivity.
• Experienced in the use of WMS platforms and operational systems, with the ability to leverage technology and data to improve performance and decision-making.
• Skilled in leading change and continuous improvement initiatives, delivering measurable gains in efficiency, service, and operational effectiveness.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to influence and build strong relationships across multiple functions and levels.
• Passionate about Health, Safety and Environmental standards, customer satisfaction, and the Halfords values, with the flexibility to support a 24-hour, 6-day-a-week distribution operation.

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 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.
• 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.

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.