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Retail Sales Manager

CarMax · Chicago, IL · $60,000–$104,900 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 11, 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 you led a team to hit a goal that seemed out of reach.

What they are checking: Whether they have real leadership results and can explain what they did to get them.

How do you coach a new sales consultant who is struggling to close?

What they are checking: Whether they diagnose the real skill gap and coach patiently instead of just pushing harder.

The training program runs six to nine months with rotations. How do you approach learning in a structured program like that?

What they are checking: Whether they are coachable and willing to learn each part of the store before leading it.

Tell me about a time you had to give hard feedback to someone you liked.

What they are checking: Whether they can hold people accountable while keeping the relationship respectful.

How do you build a team culture where people want to stay?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that turnover hurts sales and know how to build trust and growth.

What would you do

How would you motivate a commissioned sales team during a slow month?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to keep commissioned people engaged when pay and morale are under pressure.

One of your top sellers is pushing customers toward pricier cars than they need. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they protect CarMax's customer-first approach even when it costs short-term sales.

A customer is upset about how long their financing is taking. How do you step in?

What they are checking: Whether they can calm a frustrated customer and fix the process problem behind it.

How would you work with other sales managers when you share the floor and the store goal?

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate with peers instead of competing for credit or the best associates.

About the work

What numbers would you look at each day to understand how your team is doing?

What they are checking: Whether they think in sales metrics like appointments, close rates and customer feedback.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by CarMax.

7122 - Naperville - 3320 Odyssey Ct, Naperville, Illinois, 60563 CarMax, the way your career should be! Position Overview As a Sales Manager Trainee, you will embark on a structured training program designed to prepare you for success as a future Sales Manager at CarMax. Over six to nine months, you’ll gain hands-on experience through in-store learning and business rotations, working alongside seasoned managers and sales consultants. Your leadership will inspire and motivate associates to deliver exceptional customer experiences and achieve strong sales results. If you are an outstanding communicator with proven leadership skills and a passion for driving performance, this is your opportunity to join a best-in-class retail organization and make a meaningful impact. 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 • Lead and motivate a commissioned sales team to achieve strong results for your location • Collaborate with other sales managers to drive overall store performance and foster continuous improvement through coaching and feedback • Recognize individual team member goals and create tailored development plans • Analyze and track sales performance metrics to meet and exceed targets • Identify opportunities and solve challenges to ensure an exceptional customer experience • Champion CarMax values and initiatives to maintain a people-first culture • Foster continuous improvement through coaching and feedback • Responsible for CarMax Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) requirements for your department and/or location, including workplace safety. Required Qualifications • Minimum of three years of management experience with a proven track record of success • Experience in a sales-driven environment with strong performance results • Ability to execute long- and short-term sales strategies effectively • Skilled in developing action plans to drive team performance • Strong ability to communicate clearly and influence others • Ability to motivate and inspire teams to achieve goals • Flexibility to work evenings and weekends to support store operations 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: $60,000.00 - $104,900.00 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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