The Amazon Operations Manager oversees the entire fulfillment process for their assigned area. This includes hiring and training new employees, ensuring that all processes are followed, and organizing and managing inventory. They also work to improve the customer experience by troubleshooting any issues that may arise.
If you’re looking to interview for an Amazon Operations Manager position, you’ll want to be prepared for a range of questions. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of questions that you may be asked, along with suggested answers to help you prepare.
Amazon Area Manager Interview Questions with Answer Examples
Interviews for Top Jobs at Amazon
Area Manager Interview
I interviewed at Amazon
Interview
The interview was fairly easy. Make sure to get some small talk in before the actual interview begins. They gave me behavior questions, safety situations, and had me explain how I would react in certain situations.
- What would you do if you saw a manager disregarding safety protocols
Area Manager Interview
I interviewed at Amazon
Interview
Gute und schnelle Rückmeldung im Bewebungsprozess. Professionell Gespräche im Interview. Faire Rückmeldung und transparentes System.Teilweise werden viele Mitarbeiter geworben, sodass Stellen schnell weg sind und lediglich andere Standorte verfügbar sind.
- Leadership PrincipelsLebenslaufMotivationMitarbeiterführungMathe
Area Manager Interview
I interviewed at Amazon
Interview
Applied online > Completed an assessment which had some math problems and a behavior assessment > Got interview emailThe interview was pretty straightforward. You start in a group then have 2 back to back individual interviews. They test you on the leadership principles. To prepare, make sure you have a story for each leadership principle in a STAR method. They may follow up on your answer and ask to elaborate. You are not competing with others, it’s more like passing the interview. You will get a decision within 5 business days.Both the interviewer made me feel comfortable and were very helpful to answer any questions I had.
- They test you on leadership principles and how you used those in previous work experiences or school projects. For me, each interviewer tested on 3-4 leadership principles.
6 Area Manager Interview Questions and Answers
How do you handle employees who aren’t meeting their goals?
One of the primary responsibilities of an area manager is to handle performance issues. This requires the ability to recognize the qualities of each employee and match them with the best way to maximize these strengths. High turnover costs money, and it can often be avoided when current employees are properly utilized. A good manager will be capable of distinguishing a poor fit for the job from opportunities. Look for:
- Experience in working with underperforming employees
- Evidence the candidate can face confrontation
- Ability to match strengths with appropriate processes
An employee is demotivated and underperforming. How do you handle this?
Area managers should be able to maintain and improve performance in their subordinates. An employer can use this question to identify good leaders with team-building skills from the rest. A skilled area manager candidate would provide a reliable strategy for improving motivation and performance.
A candidate’s answer should emphasize:
- Ability to connect with a subordinate even during a difficult situation
- Evidence of being a dependable leader
- Skills in leadership, communication, team building and problem-solving
An example answer to this question can look like this:
How do you describe your management style, and what could you do to be more effective?
You need to know the candidate will be capable of relating to your current team. Remember, it can be difficult for some team members to accept management from outside sources, so hiring someone with a magnetic personality is a plus. For example, a fast-paced office manager may need to take a more “no-nonsense” approach, while a marketing manager may be able to allow for more freedom and creativity. Look for:
- Attributes that match your work environment
- Ability to acknowledge both strengths and weaknesses
- Confidence
What are the top challenges faced by managers in this industry?
You need to ensure the candidate is familiar with your industry. It’s great if they have plenty of experience, but if it’s in a field that’s much different than yours, you may end up spending more time educating them than it’s worth. This question will help you learn their knowledge regarding your line of work while also gaining insight into their ideas to make your business prosper. Look for:
- Understanding of what it takes to manage effectively
- Willingness to acknowledge mistakes
- Evidence of alignment with your industry
How many years of experience do you have as a manager, and how many people did you manage?
You need to ensure the area manager candidate is not only experienced but also capable of meeting the needs of your team depending on the size. For example, if you need someone to manage a large telemarketing team, someone whose management experience is limited to a small corner store with two employees may not be the best fit. Getting the right fit for your business is key. Things to look for include:
- Experience managing a team of similar size to yours
- Ability to take on more responsibility
- Evidence of adequate management experience
Have you noticed changes in your management style over the years?
Just about anyone can do the same thing over and over again. This is great if you’re hiring someone to work in a manufacturing plant. However, at the management level, you need someone who’s always prepared to adapt to change. Your management team is responsible for leading the crew, and this requires the ability to evolve over time, learn from the past and implement new technologies with ease. Qualities include:
- Openness to change
- Evidence of evolution in management style over time
- Understanding of how changes made a positive impact
Amazon Manager Job Description
The role of a manager for Amazon is crucial in ensuring the company continues to maintain its position as the number one online retailer in the world. Depending on the specific Amazon Manager role you are applying for, the following core responsibilities may form part of your everyday working life:
To make sure you are fully prepared for your interview, we strongly recommend you download a copy of our 26 GREAT ANSWERS TO YOUR AMAZON MANAGER INTERVIEW!
We hire high-potential people who are ready to make an impact on our operations. Tell us about the most significant impact you’ve made in your current position.
Amazon is a company proud to be driven by innovation. They even say that innovation is part of their DNA! For this reason, there is a very high chance that your interviewers will ask questions to reveal whether you are an innovative thinker, ready to make an impact for Amazon. It can be a challenge to brag about your accomplishments in a job interview. For that reason, many candidates choose to talk about a team accomplishment. However, for this question, its best to highlight an independent accomplishment. Be proud of your individual contributions! Talk to the interviewer about the most significant individual accomplishment you have achieved in your current or most recent position. You can deliver this answer by providing a story-based example using the STAR answer method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Be sure to outline your contribution clearly, then make a connection to how you will contribute to Amazon.
Written by Rachelle Enns on May 3rd, 2021
“(Situation) At Company XYZ, we have had some issues with newly hired warehouse associates quitting after just a few shifts. (Task) As the team lead responsible for helping our manager guide the group, I have a unique opportunity to coach people in-the-moment, to help them succeed. (Action) I approached my manager and asked if I could jump in with additional on-the-floor training sessions when I saw new team members struggling with their tasks. She agreed, so I spent time analyzing the primary reasons employees were quitting. I created a list of the top 10 struggles new hires were facing and brought my findings to the manager. Together, we met with the Human Resources department and requested that new hires receive further training and support in those 10 areas during their onboarding and first 30 days. (Result) HR agreed to put these efforts into place, and since that time, our employee turnover rates have decreased by nearly 25%. This experience taught me to keep an eye on patterns and how important it is to use data when problem-solving and making recommendations for change. When Amazon hires me for this Area Manager position, I will commit to caring for the success of our new and tenured employees, ensuring that everyone feels empowered to succeed in their tasks.”
Written by Rachelle Enns on May 3rd, 2021
HOW TO PASS AN AMAZON MANAGER INTERVIEW (4 Top Tips by Richard McMunn
The following tips are all suitable for managerial positions within Amazon, including Operations Manager, Account Manager, Team Leader, Business Development Manager, Logistics Manager, Area Manager, Contracts Manager and Senior Operations Manager.
TIP #1 – Amazon is undoubtedly one of the greatest companies to work for. However, if you want to become a manager for the world’s leading online retailer, you will need to demonstrate you have the ability to drive your team towards achieving Amazon’s business objectives. There is no room for people who are not committed to Amazon’s core values within the business, and as a manager you will need to learn and understand the leadership principles. On that basis, before you attend the Amazon Manager interview, we strongly recommend you read these important principles to make sure you are fully prepared and focused.
TIP #2 – Sticking with the Amazon leadership principles, prior to attending your interview, think of a time when you have demonstrated each of the 14 principles in a prior work-related situation. To help you prepare for your Amazon Manager interview, we have provided you with sample interview questions and answers on this page that are designed to put you ahead of the competition.
TIP #3 – The majority of questions at your Amazon Manager interview will be behavioural-based. Behavioral questions are designed to see when you have already demonstrated the core skills and attributes required to perform the role competently. Make sure you study the questions on this page and have top-scoring answers prepared in time for your interview!
TIP #4 – Most people struggle to think of questions to ask in an Amazon Manager interview However, if you download the answers on this page we will give you 3 GREAT QUESTIONS to ask the interview panel that are designed to show you have the intelligence, the skills and the attributes needed to become a great manager for their company!
Get ready for your Amazon Manager interview by downloading our 26 AMAZON MANAGER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS guide!
FAQ
What is the role of area manager at Amazon?
Why do you want to work for Amazon as a manager?
“Amazon is the most customer-centric and innovative company in the world and I want to be part of the movement that is Amazon.” You can use an answer this short if you have a stellar resume and a hugely charismatic personality. Otherwise, I would put more effort into it.
Why do you think you are a potential candidate for Area manager?
What questions will be asked in Amazon interview?
- What would you do if you found out your closest friend at work was stealing? …
- Describe your most difficult customer and how you handled it. …
- Tell me about a time you were 75 percent through a project and had to pivot quickly. …
- Behavioral questions. …
- Leadership questions.
