Senior Vendor Manager, Sports & Outdoors

DESCRIPTION:

At Amazon, it's our goal to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online. To support our continued growth, we are looking for a Senior Category Manager to join our Home and Leisure team. The Home and Leisure business group is one of Amazon Australia's core retail divisions, encompassing a dynamic and growing portfolio of categories including Sports & Outdoors, DIY, Toys and more. Sports & Outdoors builds on Australia's passion for active lifestyles, delivering a compelling range of products to help customers pursue the activities they love - from fitness and camping to team sports and adventure.

This role is multi-faceted in nature, working cross functionally with various teams including marketing, finance, supply chain, Amazon Ads, and our external supplier partners. As a Senior Category Manager, you will define and drive the strategic direction for your category - setting the vision for where it needs to go and leading cross-functional teams to get there. You will be successful in the role by building long term, strategic relationships with our existing suppliers and also engage with new brands to help drive incremental growth opportunities for them on Amazon.com.au. You will be an effective negotiator and act as a Subject Matter Expert in a particular field and play a role coaching and developing members of the team and peers across the business.

An Amazon Senior Category Manager also complements their investments in relationships and people with a sharp, analytical mind: being comfortable with a suite of metrics across multiple KPIs is a must, likewise is holding an affinity with complex analysis and making data-driven decisions. Adding structure to processes, creating rigorous mechanisms and understanding operational flows will be part and parcel of your role.

We are looking for someone who:
- Owns the end-to-end category strategy: setting the vision, defining the roadmap, and making trade-off decisions - often with incomplete information.
- Is a determined learner and naturally curious; holding an interest in developing Amazon's ways of working such as document-led meetings and culture of high velocity decision making.
- Is a relationship-builder, developing trust and helping drive mutually beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders, including influencing senior leaders and Directors across the business.
- Is energised by developing others; contributing to the growth of team members and raising the bar for the broader team.
- Can problem solve both individually and as a team; working backwards from the customer.
- Can demonstrate strong organizational skills, effectively prioritizing tasks.
- Thrives in ambiguity - defines what good looks like when there's no existing playbook.
- Can create an inclusive environment; actively seek diversity of thought.
- Exhibits proficiency in using bespoke tools and systems, including an increasing use of AI.

Amazon values diverse experiences: experience in similar roles is beneficial but not required; diverse backgrounds are valued, and candidates with transferable skills are encouraged to apply, even if not all preferred qualifications listed in the job description are met. We are hiring beyond the Home and Leisure business unit, so will be able to match your profile to the appropriate category as we go through the hiring process.

Our team operates out of our fabulous CBD office (conveniently located near many transportation options).
Amazon offers employees a competitive remuneration package, including participation in the company stock plan as applicable. We also look after our people with benefits, such as subsidized private health insurance, superannuation and paid parental leave options, amongst others.

Key job responsibilities
- Managing a full P&L, including planning, forecasting and driving growth for the categories, possessing a complete understanding of internal and external variables that impact the business.
- Setting goals and strategic direction for the business, ensuring alignment with broader business goals and vision.
- Driving strategic negotiations with external vendors.
- Generating and implementing big ideas to drive business improvement, innovation, and scale within the category and across the retail business as a whole.
- Leading cross functional collaboration on necessary systems and processes to support business needs, including retail systems, site merchandising and in-stock.
- Identifying industry trends that are relevant to customer selection and experience
- Innovating and implementing new customer and vendor programs.
- Representing Amazon when meeting with senior executive teams from top vendors and building long term strategic relationships.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- 5+ years of account management, project or program management or buying experience
- Bachelor's degree
- Experience negotiating with internal and external stakeholders
- Experience with business analysis and P&L management
- Experience in account management, project/program management, or buying

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Experience driving direction and alignment with cross-functional teams

Acknowledgement of country:
In the spirit of reconciliation Amazon acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

IDE statement:
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.