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Cross Functional Store Manager

CarMax · Algonquin, IL · $72,400–$126,800 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time your team was behind on a budget or performance goal. What did you change?

What they are checking: Whether they turn metrics into specific actions, since this role owns store budgets and performance.

How do you coach an associate who is friendly with customers but keeps making paperwork mistakes?

What they are checking: Whether they give specific, fair feedback that builds skill rather than just correcting errors.

Tell me about a time you built a culture of learning on a team. What did you actually do?

What they are checking: Whether training is a real habit for them, since the role calls for developing associates.

Tell me about a time you had to deliver a hard message to someone on your team.

What they are checking: Whether they can have direct, respectful conversations that a first-line leader faces regularly.

What would you do

You'd lead 10 to 15 associates across several business areas. How do you get to know a team that does very different jobs?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead people in sales, operations and service without only favoring the area they know best.

The posting says you stay actively involved in the sales process. How do you balance selling yourself with managing the floor?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead by example without disappearing into their own deals and neglecting the team.

Staffing is short on a Saturday and the showroom is full. Walk me through how you adjust.

What they are checking: Their ability to monitor staffing and move people proactively to protect the customer experience.

An associate bends a CarMax policy to close a sale and the customer is happy. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they enforce policy and integrity even when the outcome looked good in the moment.

How do you keep associates engaged during slow stretches?

What they are checking: Whether they have practical ideas for morale and development when sales are quiet.

A customer escalates to you after a bad experience with one of your associates. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can recover the customer while handling the associate fairly and privately.

About the work

Which store metrics would you look at first each morning, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they understand which numbers drive a retail auto store and can read them for decisions.

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The full job description

As published by CarMax.

6125 - Algonquin - 2401 N. Huntington Dr., Algonquin, Illinois, 60102 CarMax, the way your career should be! Position Overview As a Cross Functional Store Manager in Training at CarMax, you will lead and develop a team of 10–15 associates across multiple business areas to deliver a world-class customer experience. This role is pivotal in driving sales performance, operational excellence, and associate engagement. You’ll stay actively involved in the sales process, foster a culture of learning through training, and ensure seamless execution of CarMax policies. By strategizing to meet store budgets and performance metrics, you will help shape the future of our customer experience while empowering your team to succeed. Why CarMax? At CarMax, we are the nation’s largest retailer of used cars with stores from coast to coast, and we are still growing. We’re rethinking the way people buy cars – and our associates help us do just that. We believe work should feel meaningful and rewarding, with opportunities to make an impact every day. Whether you’re advancing your career or growing your skillset, we are here to drive you forward. Role Responsibilities • Develop and execute strategies to achieve store budgets and performance metrics aligned with corporate goals. • Plan and manage daily operations, monitor staffing levels and adjusting proactively, and ensuring associates have tools and training to deliver a seamless customer experience. • Analyze and present business results to the Location General Manager and other stakeholders. • Lead associate development and engagement, providing timely feedback and performance management. • Oversee training across sales, service, merchandising, and operations to maximize execution and minimize risk. • Ensure compliance with asset protection, risk management, and operational standards while driving process improvements. • Responsible for the Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) program for your department and/or location, including but not limited to self-inspections, hazardous waste disposal, workplace safety, and PPE. Required Qualifications • Strong problem-solving and collaboration skills to address complex challenges effectively. • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. • Exceptional communication skills for engaging associates and customers. • Proven ability to model and encourage exceptional team behaviors while making independent business decisions. • Flexibility to work rotating schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays. • Willingness to travel occasionally for meetings, training, and special assignments. • Valid driver’s license meeting CarMax safety standards. About CarMax At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the process. Our commitment to customer experience, innovation, and community has made us the nation’s largest used car retailer. With over 250 store locations and over 30,000 associates, we are proud to have been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® and are committed to helping our communities thrive. As an associate, you are part of an innovative movement to empower the modern customer and drive progress. Your work fuels change—sparking ideas, overcoming challenges, and shaping what’s next. Join us in creating a better future– for our company, our customers, and the communities we call home. CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The annual salary for this position is: $72,400.00 - $126,800.00 May be eligible for bonus and equity. Benefits: Except as otherwise required by state law, CarMax Associates are entitled to the following paid sick, vacation, and holiday time. Associates that are considered full-time hourly or commission/incentive eligible: • To earn up to 48 hours of sick time per year accrued on a per pay period basis and between 80 hours and 200 hours per year of vacation time after a 90 day waiting period depending on years of continuous service with the Company. • For 8 hours of pay for each of a total of 6 paid scheduled holidays per year plus 1 floating holiday. If such an Associate does work on a scheduled holiday due to business need, they are eligible for Holiday Premium Pay. Associates considered full-time salaried are entitled to paid time away with no specified limit as needed for sick, vacation, bereavement, jury duty, holidays, floating holiday, etc. subject to manager approval. For more details about benefits, please visit our CarMax Benefits website. Upon an applicant's request, CarMax will consider reasonable accommodation to complete the CarMax Job Application .

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