Operations Manager in Training

6105 - Smithtown - 441 Middle Country Road, Smithtown, New York, 11787

CarMax, the way your career should be! 

Position Overview

As an Operations Manager in Training, you will play a key role in leading and shaping the Service Operations Department at one or more assigned CarMax locations. This structured development program equips you with the tools and leadership skills needed to manage operations effectively. Training includes learning the roles and responsibilities of Service Operations, mastering end-to-end production processes such as inventory management and cosmetic/mechanical repair, and completing CarMax’s Senior Management Development Program. You’ll collaborate with Sales, Business Office, and Purchasing teams to deliver an exceptional customer and associate experience while driving operational excellence. If you’re ready to lead, innovate, and grow, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact at CarMax.

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 it’s our associates that 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

• Serve as a Senior Manager on the store leadership team, providing strategic leadership and direction across Service Operations, including reconditioning, cosmetic, production, and automotive service functions.
• Directly and indirectly lead multiple managers and a large frontline workforce, with accountability for staffing, performance management, associate development plans, succession planning, and engagement tools.
• Own operational execution through detailed oversight of key performance metrics (KPMs), production capacity, quality, cycle time, and cost controls, using data and trend analysis to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain full financial accountability, including P&L ownership, expense management, labor optimization, and productivity targets aligned to business plans.
• Champion process improvement initiatives and company programs, ensuring consistent execution and alignment with CarMax operational standards.
• 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

• Ability to interpret and maintain accurate data records
• Completion of CarMax-provided training in Inventory, Cosmetic, and Production processes
• Strong multi-tasking skills and ability to make independent, critical business decisions
• Proven ability to lead leaders, manage complex operations, and balance competing priorities in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
• 3+ years of management experience, retail management preferred
• Ability to work in indoor/outdoor environments with a flexible rotating schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and 12-hour shifts, plus occasional travel for meetings and training
• Willingness to work at multiple locations or relocate
• Internal candidates must successfully complete SMDP before applying

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

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:

$115,200.00 - $201,700.00

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.