UX User Experience Research Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX User Experience Research Manager

Company: AutoZone

Location: Memphis, TN, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience Research Management

Date Posted: 2026-05-04T15:51:17

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the strategic and tactical UX research roadmap for B2C, B2B, and employee experiences across AutoZone.

• Lead mixed-methods UX research initiatives, leveraging qualitative and quantitative techniques to inform design and business decisions.

• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations that shape product strategy and prioritize opportunities.

• Foster deep user understanding to support design and product teams, ensuring a user-centric approach to all initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a strategic leader within UX Research, requiring a blend of hands-on execution and high-level roadmap development. The emphasis on "B2C, B2B, and employee experiences" indicates a broad scope of impact, requiring versatility in research methodologies and an understanding of diverse user groups and their unique needs within the automotive retail and internal operations contexts.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the overarching UX Research roadmap, aligning with business objectives and product strategy.

• Design and execute comprehensive research plans using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, including usability testing, surveys, journey mapping, ethnography, interviews, and A/B testing.

• Recruit participants for research studies, ensuring diverse representation across customer segments and employee roles.

• Analyze and synthesize research data, identifying key insights, patterns, and user pain points.

• Translate research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable recommendations for design, product, engineering, and business stakeholders.

• Present research findings and strategic recommendations to cross-functional teams and executive leadership.

• Mentor and guide junior researchers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing research team environment.

• Stay abreast of emerging UX research trends, methodologies, and tools, advocating for best practices within the organization.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Marketing teams to ensure user insights are integrated throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Champion a user-centered design philosophy and advocate for user needs across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a leadership role that requires both strategic vision and strong execution capabilities. The emphasis on "full research lifecycle" means the manager must be comfortable with every stage, from planning and recruitment to analysis and presentation, and capable of leading others through these stages.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Cognitive Science, Human Factors, or a related field.

Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in user experience research, with a proven track record of conducting end-to-end research for software or web-based products.

• Demonstrated experience managing research initiatives and/or research teams.

Required Skills:

• Mixed-Methods Research Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (e.g., usability testing, in-depth interviews, surveys, diary studies, card sorting, tree testing, ethnographic research, contextual inquiry).

• Research Planning & Execution: Ability to independently define research objectives, design studies, develop research instruments, recruit participants, and conduct research sessions.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Strong analytical skills to synthesize complex data from multiple sources into actionable insights and clear, concise recommendations.

• Stakeholder Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present research findings and influence decision-making among diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• User Recruitment: Proficiency in sourcing and recruiting appropriate participants for research studies across various demographics and user segments.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect research insights to broader business goals and product strategy, shaping the research roadmap.

• Adaptability & Curiosity: A continuous learning mindset, willingness to explore new methods, and ability to adapt to evolving project needs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific research platforms and tools such as Qualtrics, UserTesting.com, Dscout, SurveyMonkey, Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics.

• Familiarity with eCommerce platforms and the automotive retail industry.

• Experience with A/B testing design and analysis.

• Knowledge of product strategy and roadmap development processes.

• Experience mentoring or managing junior UX researchers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level and specific tool proficiencies (Qualtrics, Adobe Analytics, UserTesting) are crucial indicators of the seniority and technical requirements for this role. The emphasis on mixed-methods research and the ability to influence strategy are key differentiators for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Research Lifecycle: Showcase end-to-end research projects, clearly illustrating your process from research planning and design through execution, analysis, synthesis, and strategic recommendation delivery.

• Methodology Diversity: Include examples of projects employing a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, highlighting your adaptability and breadth of expertise.

• Impact & Actionability: Clearly articulate the business or product impact of your research. Demonstrate how your insights directly informed design decisions, product strategy, or business outcomes. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased user satisfaction).

• Stakeholder Communication: Provide examples of how you presented research findings to diverse audiences, including executive summaries, compelling visualizations, and clear, actionable recommendations.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plan Examples: Include a sample research plan that outlines objectives, target participants, methodologies, timelines, and key deliverables.

• Synthesis Frameworks: Illustrate how you synthesize findings, perhaps through affinity mapping diagrams, user journey maps with pain points and opportunities, or executive summary reports.

• Recommendation Delivery: Show evidence of how recommendations were integrated into product development, such as user stories, design critiques, or roadmap prioritization inputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Research Manager, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase completed projects but also the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership potential, and ability to translate research into tangible business value. The focus should be on demonstrating a structured, rigorous, and impactful research process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for a UX Research Manager with 5-10 years of experience in a major US city like Memphis, TN, the estimated annual salary range for this role is typically between $110,000 and $150,000. This estimate accounts for the required experience, leadership responsibilities, and the strategic nature of the position. Factors such as specific prior experience, negotiation skills, and the company's compensation philosophy may influence the final offer.

Benefits:

AutoZone offers comprehensive benefits programs designed to support the well-being of its AutoZoners:

• Competitive Pay: Ensuring fair and market-aligned compensation.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans: Robust health coverage options for individuals and families.

• Exclusive Discounts and Perks: Including a valuable AutoZone in-store discount.

• 401(k) with Company Match and Stock Purchase Plan: Strong retirement savings and investment opportunities.

• AutoZoners Living Well Program: Providing free mental health support and resources.

• Opportunities for Career Growth: Clear pathways for professional development and advancement.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay for full-time AutoZoners.

• Life, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance: Financial protection for unexpected life events.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax savings for healthcare expenses, with wellness rewards for HSAs.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Support for continued education and skill development.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week is 40 hours.

• While the role is on-site, flexibility may be available for specific project needs or work-life balance, subject to management approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical market rates for this role and location. AutoZone's benefits package is quite comprehensive, with specific mentions of mental health support and tuition reimbursement being attractive to professionals seeking a supportive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Parts & Accessories Retail / Distribution. AutoZone is a leading player in the aftermarket automotive industry, serving both DIY (Do-It-Yourself) and DIFM (Do-It-For-Me) customers, as well as commercial clients. This industry requires a focus on customer service, product availability, and efficient logistics.

Company Size: AutoZone is a large, publicly traded corporation with a significant retail footprint and a substantial workforce. This means established processes, a formal organizational structure, and opportunities for impactful work at scale.

Founded: AutoZone was founded in 1979. With over four decades of history, the company has a strong legacy and established market presence, evolving from a single store to a dominant force in its sector. This longevity suggests stability and a deep understanding of its customer base and operational needs.

Team Structure:

• UX Research Team: While not explicitly detailed, this role implies leadership over a team of UX researchers or a function that supports multiple product and design teams. The structure likely involves close collaboration with UX/UI Designers, Product Managers, and potentially Data Analysts.

• Reporting Structure: The UX Research Manager will likely report to a Director or VP of Product, Design, or Digital Experience, overseeing the strategic direction of user research.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect extensive collaboration with product development teams, marketing, customer service, and potentially IT to gather insights across the entire customer and employee journey.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: AutoZone, as a large retailer, relies heavily on data. The UX Research team will be expected to provide quantitative and qualitative insights that directly feed into data-driven decisions for product development, marketing, and operational improvements.

• Customer-Centricity: The company emphasizes a "customer-first mindset" and "Going the Extra Mile." This translates to a research approach focused on deeply understanding customer needs, pain points, and behaviors to enhance their experience.

• Efficiency and Optimization: For an automotive parts retailer, operational efficiency is key. Research might focus on optimizing online purchasing flows, improving in-store experiences, or streamlining internal employee processes.

Company Website: https://www.autozone.com/

Company URL provided in input: https://egud.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com:443/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/

📝 Enhancement Note: AutoZone's position as a large, established retailer in the automotive sector means this UX Research Manager will work on projects with significant reach and impact. The company culture likely values a blend of data-informed decisions, customer focus, and operational efficiency, which will shape the research priorities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a management position within the User Experience Research discipline, a critical component of the broader Go-To-Market (GTM) and digital product strategy. It sits at a mid-to-senior management level, requiring strategic leadership, team oversight, and the ability to influence organizational direction through user insights. The scope extends beyond just product features to encompass customer and employee experiences across various touchpoints.

Reporting Structure: The UX Research Manager will likely report to a Director or VP level executive, such as the VP of Digital Product, VP of Customer Experience, or Chief Experience Officer. This position will have direct or indirect oversight of UX Research specialists, guiding their work and career development.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant. By providing deep user understanding, the UX Research Manager directly influences:

• Product Development: Ensuring products and features meet user needs, leading to higher adoption rates and customer satisfaction.

• Customer Acquisition & Retention: Identifying friction points in the customer journey that impact conversion and loyalty.

• Operational Efficiency: Streamlining internal processes and tools for AutoZoners, leading to better productivity and service delivery.

• Revenue Growth: By improving user experience across digital and physical touchpoints, the role contributes to increased sales, customer lifetime value, and market competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Director or VP role overseeing a larger Experience Design or Product organization.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or focus on a particular business area (e.g., B2C eCommerce, B2B Commercial, Employee Tools).

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Transition into broader Product Management, Digital Strategy, or Customer Experience leadership roles.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Develop strong leadership skills by building and mentoring a high-performing UX research team.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to the broader UX research community through speaking engagements or publications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a leadership role with clear potential for career progression within AutoZone, particularly in areas related to digital transformation, customer experience, and GTM strategy. The ability to demonstrate impact on revenue and operational efficiency will be key for advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This suggests a collaborative atmosphere where in-person interaction with colleagues is expected.

Office Location(s): Memphis, TN (123 S Front St, Memphis, 38103). This is the company's headquarters, suggesting proximity to key decision-makers and a vibrant corporate environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: As an on-site role at headquarters, expect ample opportunities for in-person collaboration with design teams, product managers, and other stakeholders. This facilitates spontaneous brainstorming and quicker feedback loops.

• Tools & Technology: Access to AutoZone's standard suite of productivity and collaboration tools, as well as specialized UX research software (as potentially listed in the "Tools & Technology Stack" section). This includes company-provided hardware and software licenses.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design reviews, product strategy sessions, and informal interactions with colleagues. The on-site nature fosters a strong sense of team cohesion and shared purpose.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is typically 40 hours per week, aligned with business needs.

• While the role is on-site, there might be some flexibility for occasional remote work or adjusted hours, subject to team and management discretion, especially during periods of intense research or data analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Memphis suggests a more traditional corporate work environment. This can be advantageous for building strong relationships and facilitating rapid collaboration, which is often beneficial for research leadership roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion focusing on your experience, leadership style, and approach to UX research management.

• Portfolio Presentation: A crucial stage where you will present your work to a panel of stakeholders (e.g., Design Leads, Product Managers, Directors). This is where you demonstrate your research process, impact, and strategic thinking. Be prepared to discuss your role, methodologies, insights, and the outcomes of your projects.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with potential peers or collaborators from design, product, or engineering teams to assess teamwork and communication skills.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior leader (e.g., VP or Director) to evaluate strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that showcase your management capabilities, diverse methodologies, and significant impact. Prioritize projects that align with AutoZone's business (retail, eCommerce, internal tools).

• Structure for Clarity: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the research methodology used, key findings, actionable recommendations, and the resulting impact (quantified if possible).

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize how you guided research efforts, mentored others, managed stakeholders, and influenced product strategy.

• Showcase Synthesis: Demonstrate your ability to translate raw data into compelling narratives and strategic insights.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time. Be prepared for in-depth Q&A.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Analysis: You may be asked to analyze a hypothetical UX problem or critique an existing AutoZone experience. Prepare to think aloud and articulate your research approach.

• Research Strategy Development: You might be asked to outline a research plan for a specific business objective or product area. Focus on defining clear objectives, choosing appropriate methods, and identifying target users.

• Stakeholder Alignment Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would handle situations where research findings conflict with stakeholder opinions or business priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is the most critical part of the interview process for this role. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to showcase not just individual contributions but their ability to lead research initiatives and drive business outcomes through user insights.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualtrics: A comprehensive platform for surveys, experience management, and data analysis, likely used for customer and employee feedback collection.

• UserTesting.com / Similar Platforms: For conducting remote usability testing, prototype testing, and gathering quick user feedback.

• Dscout / Similar Tools: For qualitative data collection, often used for diary studies, in-the-moment feedback, and in-depth qualitative insights.

• Adobe Analytics / Google Analytics: Essential for understanding user behavior on AutoZone's digital platforms (website, app) and measuring the impact of UX changes.

• SurveyMonkey / Typeform: For simpler survey needs or specific feedback collection tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Adobe Analytics: Key for website and application analytics, tracking user journeys, conversion funnels, and performance metrics.

• Tableau / Power BI (or similar): For creating dashboards and visualizations to communicate research findings and key performance indicators to stakeholders.

• SQL (potentially): To query databases for user data and perform quantitative analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce (or similar CRM): While primarily sales-focused, CRM data can provide valuable context on customer segments and behavior.

• Marketing Automation Platforms (e.g., Adobe Marketing Cloud): Insights from marketing campaigns can inform research.

• Internal Tools: AutoZone likely uses various internal systems for operations, inventory, and employee management, which may be subjects of employee experience research.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with enterprise-grade tools like Qualtrics and Adobe Analytics, alongside common usability platforms, is expected. The ability to integrate insights from analytics platforms into qualitative research findings is a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of AutoZone's customers, whether they are DIY enthusiasts, professional mechanics, or internal employees.

• Data-Driven Excellence: Valuing decisions informed by robust quantitative and qualitative data, with a focus on measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across departments (Design, Product, Engineering, Marketing) to achieve shared goals and deliver cohesive user experiences.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new methodologies, tools, and approaches to stay ahead in a dynamic retail and digital landscape.

• "Going the Extra Mile": A company ethos that encourages exceeding expectations in service, problem-solving, and dedication.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: The UX Research team is expected to act as strategic partners to Product and Design, providing insights early and often throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Transparent Communication: Open sharing of research plans, findings, and recommendations. Encouraging constructive feedback and discussion.

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively participating in product team rituals (e.g., sprint planning, retrospectives) to ensure user insights are embedded into workflows.

• Feedback Culture: Fostering an environment where team members provide and receive constructive feedback on research approaches, analysis, and presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: AutoZone's stated values of customer-first and "Going the Extra Mile" will heavily influence the UX Research team's culture. Research efforts will likely be geared towards demonstrating tangible customer value and operational efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Tactical Execution: As a manager, you'll need to set a research vision while also ensuring day-to-day research activities are effectively executed.

• Influencing Diverse Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in and driving action from various departments with potentially competing priorities requires strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Integrating Research Across Large Organization: Ensuring consistent application of UX research best practices and insights across a large, multi-faceted organization like AutoZone.

• Measuring Research Impact: Demonstrating the ROI of UX research in a retail environment can be complex; requires strong analytical and storytelling skills.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technologies: Staying current with new research tools, platforms, and methodologies in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone skills in roadmap planning, team management, and influencing executive decision-making.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences (e.g., UXPA, CHI) and engage with the broader UX research community.

• Mentorship: Access to senior leaders within AutoZone for guidance and career development.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining deeper understanding of retail operations, eCommerce strategies, and B2B sales processes.

• Formal Training: Tuition reimbursement can support advanced degrees or specialized certifications in UX research or related fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around leadership, influence, and impact measurement within a large corporate structure. Growth opportunities are strong, particularly in advancing leadership capabilities and broadening business acumen.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define and prioritize AutoZone's UX research roadmap for the next 12-18 months, considering both customer-facing and employee-facing experiences?" (Prepare to discuss framework, stakeholder input, and alignment with business goals.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence a key stakeholder or executive who was resistant to user research findings. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, data presentation, and building consensus.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about AutoZone's customer base and the automotive retail industry? How would you approach researching the unique needs of our B2C vs. B2B customers?" (Showcase your research into the company and industry.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and user-centric culture within a product team and across departments?" (Discuss your leadership style and strategies for embedding user insights.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the business problem or user need that drove each research project.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, journey maps, personas, data charts) to illustrate your process and findings.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. If direct quantification is difficult, describe the qualitative impact and how it influenced decisions.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, methodology choices, analytical approach, and how you handled challenges.

• Connect to AutoZone: Frame your experience and portfolio examples in a way that demonstrates how you can bring value to AutoZone's specific business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of how UX research drives business value in a retail environment. Quantifiable impact and a clear research process are critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX User Experience Research Manager position at AutoZone:

• Submit Your Application: Click the 'Apply' button on the Oracle Cloud careers portal and complete the online application form thoroughly.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your experience in managing UX research, your proficiency with mixed-methods research, your ability to execute the full research lifecycle, and your impact on product and business outcomes. Use keywords from the job description and industry.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-5 of your strongest UX research projects that demonstrate your leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to drive impact. Be ready to present these effectively, focusing on process, insights, and outcomes.

• Research AutoZone: Familiarize yourself with AutoZone's business model, customer segments (B2C, B2B, DIY, DIFM), digital platforms (website, app), and company values ("customer-first," "Going the Extra Mile"). This will help you tailor your answers and portfolio to their specific needs.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation and responses to potential interview questions, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating strategic value.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.