Sr. Category Manager, Packaging, Global Procurement Operations (GPO)

Description

At Amazon, we're working to be the most customer-centric company on earth, and we need exceptionally talented, bright, and driven people to get there. We are seeking a Category Manager to own and strategically source for Amazon's Pallets Program across North America and Europe — a multi-region category representing significant annual spend and a critical input to the reliability of Amazon's fulfillment and logistics network.

The person in this role will develop and execute category sourcing strategies, deliver cost savings and productivity improvements, and manage a portfolio of pallet suppliers across two regions. You will interact with important suppliers, coordinate across operations, finance, and supply chain teams, and translate business requirements into sourcing outcomes. The ideal candidate is a self-starter and a creative, critical thinker who is comfortable operating independently in an ambiguous, fast-changing environment. You must be an effective communicator able to partner credibly with stakeholders at every level.

Key job responsibilities
Establish category sourcing strategies for the Pallets Program; lead cross-functional sourcing teams, negotiate with suppliers, and execute contracts to optimize Amazon's competitive position across NA and EU
Drive supplier relationships with the objective of achieving the optimal total cost of ownership, supported by a culture of continuous improvement and performance benchmarking
Proactively identify, monitor, and optimize category opportunities across both regions
Act as a market intelligence provider for the pallets category; anticipate strategic opportunities and keep key stakeholders informed
Lead Supplier Relationship Management activities to mitigate risk, improve performance, and add value to Amazon — including sustainability levers such as reusable/returnable pallet programs
Identify, achieve, and report on savings and value targets for category sourcing activities
Align with internal customers and understand the business application of the category

Earn the trust of key stakeholders to drive alignment with the business
Create a unified, comprehensive category strategy in conjunction with internal customers
Achieve yearly cost-savings / value targets aligned with annual budget processes
Define and report on key metrics measuring supply effectiveness and cost savings
Champion standards and process improvements

A day in the life
You start by reviewing supplier performance dashboards and open risk items across your NA and EU pallet suppliers. You join a sourcing-strategy working session with Operations and Finance, then prepare for an upcoming tender — aligning requirements with internal customers. In the afternoon you negotiate contract terms with a key supplier, update your savings tracker, and draft a short narrative on a reusable-pallet opportunity. You close the day flagging a supply-continuity risk and the mitigation plan to stakeholders.

About the team
GRIT2 — Grocery, Receiving, Inventory, and Tier 2 — is the Global Procurement Operations team that sources the non-inventory supplies and services keeping Amazon's fulfillment and grocery logistics networks running. We operate across North America and Europe, spanning pallets, cross-dock, Tier 2 supplier programs, and Amazon Grocery Logistics. We think of ourselves as a strategic partner, not a reactive buying desk: we design end-to-end solutions across the supply chain, dive deep on data, and earn trust with senior leaders and suppliers alike. We value ownership, bias for action, continuous improvement, and sustainability built into every sourcing decision.

Basic Qualifications

- 3+ years of program or project management experience
- 3+ years of working cross functionally with tech and non-tech teams experience
- 3+ years of defining and implementing process improvement initiatives using data and metrics experience
- 2+ years of supply chain experience
- Bachelor's degree
- Knowledge of Excel (Pivot Tables, VLookUps) at an advanced level and SQL
- Experience defining program requirements and using data and metrics to determine improvements

Preferred Qualifications

- 3+ years of driving end to end delivery, and communicating results to senior leadership experience
- 3+ years of driving process improvements experience
- Experience in stakeholder management, dealing with multiple stakeholders at varied levels of the organization
- Experience building processes, project management, and schedules

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .

USA, CA, Irvine - 85,800.00 - 128,600.00 USD annually
USA, TN, Nashville - 77,200.00 - 115,800.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Houston - 85,800.00 - 128,600.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 85,800.00 - 128,600.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Bellevue - 85,800.00 - 128,600.00 USD annually