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Description

Worldwide Grocery Stores (WWGS) is a global retail organization dedicated to revolutionizing the grocery shopping experience through enhanced efficiency, quality, and affordability. At its core, WWGS Private Brands (PB) serves as a crucial strategic division that develops, sources, and manages our Whole Foods Market (WFM) and Amazon-branded proprietary food products across all geographic regions. This team also leads the Whole Body assortment, which includes non-food and health/wellness products for WFM. Operating as a unified force, Private Brands supports both North American and International operations by leveraging cross-functional expertise in product development, sourcing, sensory, commercialization and quality assurance to bring our products to market end-to-end across all WFM and Amazon channels. Through the integration of Whole Foods Market (WFM) and Amazon-branded products, Private Brands enables WWGS to deliver high-quality, innovative products and brands while maintaining operational excellence across diverse global markets. This collaborative structure allows WWGS to rapidly scale its food portfolio while maintaining consistent quality standards and efficient processes throughout its worldwide operations. This team manages the Amazon Saver, Amazon Grocery, by Amazon, Aplenty, Amazon Kitchen, 365 by WFM (including our organic products), and Whole Foods Market brands.

Located in Seattle, WA, this individual will help spearhead efforts to achieve cross functional harmonization between Amazon and Whole Foods Private Brands Product Development Teams. They will Drive ideation, Category Insights, Development, and Commercialization of WWGS Private Brand products for the appropriate assigned categories. They will act as an integral part of the WWGS Private Brands Product Development and Sensory team by supporting technical requirements and project workflow and evaluate product samples and related specifications for new and existing products. They will collaborate cross functionally with key stakeholder teams to develop and maintain products that meet Amazon and Whole Foods Market Private Brands exceptional, consumer centric standards.

Key job responsibilities

• Identifies and leads the implementation of cross-functional process improvement initiatives, provide experience and perspective to facilitate a frictionless path to team integration

• Develop decision trees and guidance documents for leveraging all Product Development and Sensory Team facilities/capabilities in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA

• Provide physical day-to-day presence in Seattle, WA facilities and provide experience and oversight to Seattle based Team Members

• Drives Category Insights/Market Insights and associated strategy across all Food and Beverage categories of support (including categories supported by direct reports)

• Drives Innovation and Trend Spotting initiatives, associated activities, and strategy across all categories of support (including categories supported by direct reports).

• Lead commercialization efforts with suppliers and First Production dates and requirements, assist direct reports with managing these activities.

• Lead development of the product by identifying and conducting comparisons against target products (if applicable) and sensory benchmarks through exploratory comp shops and cuttings.

• Lead organoleptic evaluation for potential products, including comparisons between multiple potential vendors’ sample submission.

• Communicate sensory, nutritional, and quality parameters to vendors. Provide sample submission feedback and requests for reformulation to potential vendors.

• Lead effective launch of items, including sending first production requirements, hosting first production conference calls, and managing the execution of first production activities with vendors.

• Evaluate first production samples against approved retains of final formulations, and provide first production approval/release decision to the vendor.

• Attend first productions where applicable/pertinent.

• Resolve ingredient and quality standards discrepancies and product quality concerns with internal teams and vendor as necessary

• Work on special projects as assigned such as evaluating competitive product, and application of new policies, processes and technologies.

Basic Qualifications

- • 6-8 years experience working in the CPG, retail or ingredient industries in Food and/or Beverage categories

- • Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field

- • Must have knowledge of benchtop formulation and product development as it relates to CPG products

- • In-depth understanding of sourcing, product development, commercialization, manufacturing and related business processes

- • Must have good understanding of product quality control and assurance

- • Must be willing to try, sample and evaluate all types of food

- • Must possess the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and deliver against rapid development timelines

- • Must be detail oriented and extremely organized

- • Must possess excellent communication skills and possess the ability to excel in cross-functional team settings

- • Must have computer proficiency and familiarity with most Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

- • Some travel required (<20%) for conferences, trade shows, vendor visits, and First Production visits

Preferred Qualifications

- • Advanced Degree (MS, MBA, PhD) a plus but not required

- • Experience developing natural and organic products is a plus

- • Leadership experience/managing direct reports is a plus

- • Sensory evaluation experience and skills are a plus

- • A passion for food, beverage and the culinary world is a plus

- • Knowledge of NFL regulations as they relate to product development is helpful

- • Familiarity of retailer web-based specification systems would be ideal.

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

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.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $105,700/year in our lowest geographic market up to $174,400/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits . This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.