Automotive, E-commerce, Technology, Retail

Associate Director, Field Operations & Strategy

New York, NYOnsiteFull TimeDirectorPosted 1 month ago

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Required skills

Field Operations
Inspection Centers
Production Management
Supply Chain
Logistics
Reconditioning
Market Ops
Product Management
Data Analysis
AI Tools

Nice to have

Lean Manufacturing
ChatGPT
Claude
Copilot
GM-level operator
Top-tier institution

Role summary

Carvana is seeking an Associate Director, Field Operations & Strategy to oversee the performance of new car operations across multiple Inspection Centers (ICs). This field-based role requires a blend of hands-on production leadership, strong analytical skills, and strategic thinking. The Associate Director will collaborate with internal teams to resolve operational challenges, identify systemic improvements, and influence product and process enhancements. Key responsibilities include demonstrating effective leadership, managing production, driving continuous improvement, and developing talent. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of operations and strategy experience, proven leadership of large teams, and a strong ability to use data to inform strategy. Travel up to 75% is required.

About Carvana

At Carvana, we’re changing the way people buy and sell cars. With an ambitious vision and a fundamentally different approach designed to be fun, fast, and fair, Carvana became the fastest-growing automotive retailer in history. We expanded nationally, went public on the New York Stock Exchange, sold our 1 millionth car, and reached the Fortune 500, all in just eight years.

Today, with 4 million retail customers and counting, Carvana is both the fastest-growing and the most profitable public automotive retailer, and we’re just getting started. We continue to raise the bar for our customers as we tackle the enormous opportunity still ahead in the largest consumer vertical.

Working here means being part of a team that embraces change, celebrates creative problem solving, and always strives to be better. At Carvana, you’ll have the opportunity to take on meaningful challenges, learn quickly, and help shape the future of automotive retail. If you’re driven to grow and make an impact as part of a collaborative team, you’ll fit right in. Learn more about what it’s like to work here from the people that already do.

Travel: up to 75% required and must live within a commutable distance to a major airport

About the team and position

The Associate Director, Field Operations and Strategy is responsible for the performance of new car operations across multiple Inspection Centers (ICs), starting with a core set of sites and expanding to oversee a larger portion of the network. This is a field-based, high-travel role (50-75%) for an experienced operator who combines hands-on production leadership with strong analytical and strategic thinking.

The Associate Director will work with their teams, along with partner organizations in Reconditioning, Market Ops, and Logistics, to resolve challenges to meeting IC objectives, while also acting as a strategic thought partner to identify network-wide trends, shaping process and product improvements, and representing the voice of the field in cross-functional planning.

This role is not a fit for someone who wants to operate from a single site or from HQ; it requires someone equally comfortable running a floor and building a framework for senior leadership.

What you'll be doing

Leadership

Demonstrate effective leadership, setting a positive tone and sense of purpose across each Inspection Center

Visit the shop floor regularly to maintain detailed awareness of the realities of each IC and a genuine connection to your team

Ensure IC management beliefs and behaviors are in line with Carvana's culture and values

Pursue consistent, measurable improvement across your sites

Production Management

Work with IC teams to identify, prioritize, and solve problems impacting IQR performance

Ensure leadership is executing operating standards including; standardized work, operating rules, 5S, product integrations, and visual management tools

Monitor compliance with all health, safety, and loss prevention guidelines

Partner closely with Reconditioning, Market Ops, and Logistics to align production plans, resolve cross-functional bottlenecks, and keep vehicles moving smoothly across the broader supply chain

Strategy and Product Partnership

Identify patterns and opportunities across sites that point to systemic fixes, and lead continuous improvement efforts across the network to close them

Act as a thought partner to Product Management, translating field realities into clear input on how tools, workflows, and systems should be designed to make field teams more effective

Use data and field observation to build the case for process, technology, or systems enhancements, and help prioritize which improvements matter most

Audit continuous improvement events across the network, ensure adequate resources are available, and hold site teams accountable for results

Train and mentor managers on problem-solving and process improvement

Bring a working knowledge of AI tools to use them to analyze data, prep for reviews, or work through problems faster

Prepare and deliver clear, well-reasoned recommendations to senior leadership, including trade-offs and implementation implications

People Management

Collaborate with People Operations and IC leadership to build and maintain a pipeline of associates to fill current and future positions and manage churn

Develop a bench of candidates for IC leadership positions

Ensure progression path training and certification processes are consistently executed

Provide competency-based feedback and hold leaders accountable for providing the sameMentor and develop regional and site leaders

Other duties as assigned

What you should have/know

Bachelor's degree from a top-tier institution preferred, in business, operations management, analytics, or a related field

10 or more years of combined operations and strategy experience, including significant experience leading large teams (100+ associates) either as a GM-level operator in automotive or lean manufacturing, or in a comparable operations leadership role at another company

Proven ability to lead and develop associates and managers at scale, including building leadership benches

Demonstrated experience using data and analysis to drive operating strategy

Some current use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) to support decision-making or productivity in your existing role is a plus

Strong ability to communicate and influence cross-functionally, including with product and senior leadership, without formal authority over those teams

Ability to manage project deliverables and metrics against aggressive targets and timelines

Willingness and ability to travel 50 to 75% of the time across the network; this is a field-based role with no fixed office location requirement

Valid driver's license with a clean driving record (no DUIs, no more than two moving violations in the last 3 years)

Must be at least 18 years of age

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English

Requires standing for extended periods with frequent stretching, reaching, walking, stooping, pushing, and/or pulling in an environment that may be cold, hot, noisy, or wet, and may have fumes or odors due to vehicle maintenance

Requires use of safety equipment including but not limited to face shield or goggles, non-slip shoes, gloves, mask, and other protective garments and equipment

Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds independently, with lifting required from various levels

Must be able to walk up to three miles each day

Ability to work overtime, weekends, and a variable schedule as necessary

What we’ll offer in return

Full-Time position with a competitive salary and Carvana stock compensation

Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits

401K with company match

A multitude of perks including student loan payments, discounts on vehicles, benefits for your pets, and much more

A great wellness program to keep you healthy and happy both physically and mentally

Access to opportunities to expand your skill set and share your knowledge with others across the organization

A company culture focused on high performance and bar-raising, with vast opportunity to learn and grow

Other requirements

To be able to do your job at Carvana, there are some basic requirements we want to share with you.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Of course, we’ll make any reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs.

Legal stuff

Hiring is contingent on passing a complete background check. This role is NOT eligible for visa sponsorship.

Carvana is an equal employment opportunity employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Carvana also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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Associate Director, Field Operations & Strategy

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