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Customer Account Manager - Schaumburg, IL

Advance Auto Parts · Schaumburg, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 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 business customer you won or grew. What did you do that made the difference?

What they are checking: Whether they have actually grown a commercial account and can explain the steps that made it work.

Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news to a customer, like a backorder or a price increase.

What they are checking: Whether they protect trust by being honest early, even when the news hurts the sale.

How would you help develop the Commercial Parts Pros at the stores you work with?

What they are checking: Whether they see coaching store staff as part of their job, since those people serve the accounts daily.

Tell me about a sales goal you missed. What happened and what did you change?

What they are checking: Whether they can look honestly at a miss and adjust, which matters in a role measured on account goals.

What would you do

How would you plan a week of sales calls to repair shops and commercial businesses in your territory around Schaumburg and Kenosha?

What they are checking: Whether they can organize visits by account value and need, not just drive around and hope.

A shop owner tells you he buys from a competitor because they deliver faster. What do you say to him?

What they are checking: Whether they can compete on value and relationship, and work with the store to fix delivery rather than overpromise.

How would you work with the store team to make sure what you promise a shop on availability and delivery time is realistic?

What they are checking: Whether they see the store as a partner and avoid promises the team cannot keep.

You notice a competitor running a promotion that is pulling business from one of your accounts. What would you do with that information?

What they are checking: Whether they would pass competitive information to business partners, as the posting asks, and respond with a plan.

How do you decide which accounts get more of your time when you cannot see everyone each week?

What they are checking: Whether they prioritize by potential and risk, rather than visiting the friendliest customers most often.

About the work

What do you know about how a repair shop makes money, and why does that matter when you sell to them?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that shops care about bay time, comebacks and margin, which shapes what they buy.

How do you keep track of your sales calls and account activity?

What they are checking: Whether they will keep the account database current, which the posting lists as part of the job.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Advance Auto Parts from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Advance Auto Parts.

Job Description What is a Customer Account Manager (CAM)? At Advance Auto Parts, a Customer Account Manager (CAM) sells or oversees the selling of automotive products for repair or distribution to automotive repair shops and other commercial businesses. The CAM must be committed to inspiring our team, helping our customers succeed, and growing the business and profitability with integrity. Key Duties and Responsibilities • Work with District Leaders, General Managers and other key personnel to achieve all agreed upon goals for assigned accounts • Implement new Commercial Sales programs, as well as support current programs • Visit assigned accounts, making sales calls and developing approaches that best position products, services, or ideas; identify and meet the needs of commercial customers. Maintain database of account sales call activity, etc. • Proactively communicate with Store Team on a regular basis to ensure that customer expectations concerning product availability, accuracy, and delivery timelines are realistic and being met • Provide feedback and input to business partners regarding competitive information, merchandising suggestions, and other services to strengthen the market position of the company • Partner in the development and retention of Commercial Parts Pros to support the Advance plan for internal growth and career opportunities • Demonstrate an eagerness to be a team player and assist in other functions as assigned by Region and Area leaders and as needed, including, but not limited to: cleaning, organizing, stocking, operating POS equipment, truck loading/unloading, etc. Essential Job Skills Necessary for Success as a CAM • Working knowledge of Advance products and services and the ability to market those products and services to meet customer need • Working knowledge of the APAL system, including Inventory Management and processing of Commercial account paperwork • Working knowledge of automotive systems and traditional automotive aftermarket • Speak and write English (Spanish a plus); communicate effectively and build strong relationships with customers, peers and upper management • Strong presentation and verbal and written communications skills, including ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedural manuals • Use Microsoft software effectively (Word, Excel required – PowerPoint preferred) • Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, percentages, sales increases, and gross profit percent • Ability to review and analyze business reports, such as profit and loss statement (P&L) • Think strategically, analyze issues and options, and effectively manage and facilitate change • Ability to work an assortment of days, evenings, and weekends as needed • Ability to travel overnight occasionally Prior Experiences that Set a CAM up for Success • Proven sales track record with 3-5 years related selling experience. Education • High School diploma or general education degree (GED) • Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school preferred Certificates, Licenses, Registrations • Must have a valid driver's license and be fleet safety certified. • ASE certification preferred, but not required Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The Team Member must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; explosives; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Position is eligible for sales commission based on individual or store performance. 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
 Compensation Range The good faith estimate for this role is between 51,500.00 USD and 63,100.00 USD salary for a new team member. The rate offered depends on a number of factors, including geographic location, experience in retail, automotive knowledge, education, leadership roles, and other skillsets ideal for this position and shift differential (if applicable). Benefits: Advance Auto Parts offers a comprehensive health and wellness benefits program to improve the way of life for our Team Members and those who mean the most to them: their families. Find out more by visiting: Advance Auto Parts-Home California Residents click below for Privacy Notice: https://jobs.advanceautoparts.com/us/en/disclosures

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