Continuous Improvement Manager

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

We are recruiting a Retail Continuous Improvement Manager to join our existing team, driving enhancements across processes, equipment and infrastructure within our retail function. Your work will directly support the financial years strategic priorities, forecasted savings and capacity improvements with Retail. This is a fully cross functional role, partnering with colleagues across the business from retail colleagues to Legal, Procurement and Category Buying to ensure our operational processes and procedures are continually optimised.

As a field‑based position, you’ll manage your own schedule around project needs and visits. With retail stores across the UK, a company car is provided, and flexibility for occasional overnight stays will be required and occasional visits to our Support Centre in Redditch, Worcestershire.

Key responsibilities

• Responsible for delivering the lean framework for change within the business and the successful implementation of multi-million efficiency saving projects on time and within budget


•  Accountable for building and maintaining a pipeline of opportunities that enhances efficiency and reduces cost across Retail.


• Supports the alignment of acquisitions with operational process that delivers our strategic priorities


• Responsible for creating business cases for strategic change in accordance with the current strategic governance process


• Responsible for ensuring that our customers always experience confidence in our systems and services in store through continuous review of working practices and processes


• Supports the ongoing development of Retail Operating models and maintains a One-Way culture


• Conducts the continuous review of existing operational process across Retail ensuring that productivity and efficiency are always being challenged and that the voice of the colleague is played back into the Support Centre


• Supports the sustainment of strategic improvement projects through engagement and involvement of cross functional and field-based teams


• Engages with stakeholders across the business to provide lean business solutions that allow us to operate more effectively for less capital outlay


• Applies lean continuous improvement tools and techniques across workstreams


• Works collaboratively with Central Operations teams to ensure that changes are aligned with group strategic priorities and well communicated


• Works directly with wider group support teams, field and store management teams to ensure process and systems optimise the customer proposition requirements to deliver our CEX and values commitments

About you

• Proven experience delivering business change in a fast-paced environment.


• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships across functions.


• Experience within working across the retail and services industry is desirable but not essential.


• A collaborative team player with a positive, proactive approach and a willingness to support colleagues to drive projects forward.


• Familiarity with standard project management tools is desirable.


• LEAN Thinking or Six Sigma qualifications are desirable but not essential.


• A willingness to learn, contribute new ideas and continuously improve.


• Highly organised and detail focused, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and quality.


• Full, clean UK driving licence.

Reward & benefits

• A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, 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.