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This position has closed. LKQ removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Operations Manager

LKQ · Alsip, IL · $65,000–$70,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 25, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

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

The posting requires automotive paint experience. Tell me about your background with refinish products.

What they are checking: Whether they have the paint industry knowledge the role requires to lead the location credibly.

Tell me about a time you coached a struggling employee into a strong performer.

What they are checking: Whether they develop people, which the posting calls coaching staff to reach their potential.

How do you build a culture where employees treat customers with courtesy and care?

What they are checking: Whether they lead culture by example and accountability, not just by telling people to be nice.

What would you do

Your location's gross margin has slipped for two months. How would you find the cause?

What they are checking: Whether they break down margin into pricing, mix, shrink and costs instead of guessing.

A key customer is unhappy with late deliveries. What would you do?

What they are checking: Whether they own the problem, fix the root cause and repair the relationship.

How do you manage all departments within budget when costs rise?

What they are checking: Whether they can find efficiencies and make trade-offs without hurting service or safety.

About the work

How have you used Lean Daily Management or similar tools to improve a location's performance?

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience with daily huddles, visual boards and problem solving, which the posting names.

Which KPIs would you watch daily to know if the location is healthy?

What they are checking: Whether they track the right measures like gross margin, inventory accuracy, safety and on-time delivery.

How do you keep inventory under control in a branch with warehouse and distribution operations?

What they are checking: Whether they understand cycle counts, receiving accuracy and slow-moving stock in distribution.

How do you keep safety a priority in a warehouse when everyone is busy?

What they are checking: Whether they build safety into daily routines instead of treating it as a once-a-month topic.

Practice this interview out loud.

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

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by LKQ.

Join the LKQ Family! We're looking for motivated individuals to join our team at LKQ Corporation. With opportunities for growth, competitive benefits, and a supportive work environment, LKQ is the place to be. Apply now and take the first step toward a rewarding career! Pay $65,000 - $70,000yr based on experience plus GREAT benefits! Mus have Automotive Paint Experience! Responsible for overseeing location performance, which encompasses various crucial aspects such as quality assurance, customer satisfaction, human resources, inventory management, safety, and gross margin. Play an active and supportive role in collaborating with all departments, including warehouse, distribution, and employee direction. Essential Job Duties • Cultivate a culture among all employees that fosters the aspiration to deliver excellent customer service, treat customers with courtesy, and provide top-quality products. • Coach and inspire capable staff members to achieve their best potential. • Oversee and manage key performance indicators related to growth, productivity, and inventory control, ensuring efficient and cost-effective operations. • Monitor and review plans and objectives for department. • Responsible for managing and supervising all departments within the allocated budget and utilize Lean Daily Management to devise strategies for enhancing performance and grow efficiencies. • Ensure adherence to all Federal, state, provincial, and local laws, statutes, regulations, as well as Company policies and procedures. • Prioritize compliance with safety and environmental standards to maintain a secure and hazard-free workplace. • Provide support for the ongoing enhancement of the business' quality improvement system. • Assume other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities • Manage the work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling and reviewing work, ensures quality standards. Responsible for hiring, terminating, training and developing, reviewing performance and administering corrective action for staff. Minimum Requirements Education & Experience • High School Diploma/GED. • 5 years+ in specialized profession or equivalent; Proficient in specialty including prior senior lead / supervisor experience. • Must possess a valid driver’s license in order to operate a Company vehicle. • Computer software training or knowledge. • Prior experience that demonstrates effective supervision and leadership skills. Preferred Requirements • Bachelor's Degree. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages and to draw and interpret graphs. • Frequent use of Outlook, Word, Excel, graphics, etc. Ability to create, maintain and incorporate functions into Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, databases, and Powerpoint presentations to support business objectives. • Frequently communicates complex information across departments and interacts with management. Can present, resolve and address delicate situations. Can motivate and persuade others. • Problems are varied and complex, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation. Problems are solved using knowledge and skills, general precedents and practices. • Decisions impact the management and operations within a department or business unit. May contribute to business and operational decisions that affect the department. • Provides and sets goals and priorities for functional area. May make recommendations for department policies, practices, and programs. Makes decisions for and/or resolves problems for others. • Handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously with moderate complexity. Essential Physical Demands/Work Environment • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, push, pull, squat, bend, reach, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or sit for extended periods of time. • The employee may be exposed to hazardous situations, conditions, and equipment. Must be able to work in cramped spaces or underneath vehicles that may require getting into awkward positions. May regularly wear personal protective equipment (PPE). May be exposed to extreme temperatures and high noise levels. • Travel may be required periodically, including overnight stays of approximately 30-35% or more. • Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds. Benefits: • Health/Dental/Vision Insurance • Paid Time Off • Paid Parental Leave • Fertility Coverage • 401k with Generous Company Match • Company Paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability • Short-Term Disability • Employee Assistance Program • Tuition Reimbursement • Employee Discounts Join us for an exciting career journey with positive, driven individuals.

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