Product Research & Development Manager, World Wide Grocery Stores, Private Brand, APAC

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 proprietary food products for both Whole Foods Market (WFM) and Amazon-branded lines across all geographic regions. Operating as a unified force, Private Brands supports both North American and International operations by leveraging cross-functional expertise in product development, sourcing, sensory evaluation, commercialization, and quality assurance to bring products to market end-to-end across all WFM and Amazon channels. This collaborative structure enables WWGS to deliver high-quality, innovative products while maintaining operational excellence across diverse global markets—rapidly scaling its food portfolio without compromising on quality standards or process efficiency.

WWGS PB APAC team manages “byAmazon” and Whole Foods Market Exclusive brands including “365”. We lead the growth of our Food PB assortment. We develop and execute the food PB expansion and growth strategy to support broader Grocery efforts across Core Consumables, Amazon Fresh, Quick Commerce, and Sub-Same Day Grocery by working across multiple channels and partner teams.

Product Research & Development Manager, WWGS PB JP, is an entrepreneurial, creative, and data-driven role. The ideal candidate will be customer-focused, a proven self-starter, and have a demonstrated ability to innovate. This role will be responsible for supporting, developing, and executing product research, development and sensory initiatives in support of WWGS/WFM’s retail objectives. Also, this role conducts product-related customer research, performs data analysis, and works with WWGS/JP leadership to develop and position new products. We are looking for someone who combines a passion for consumers and food with a willingness to move fast and experiment often.

Additionally, this role requires the ability to influence multiple organizations, including WWGS, Core Consumables, Amazon Fresh, Express Mart, Quick Commerce, Food Safety, Legal, Operations, and Marketing. A strong project management skill is essential. Product Research & Development Manager will establish, drive, and strengthen relationships with both key private brand suppliers and internal stakeholders.

At Amazon, you'll work alongside the latest AI and GenAI tools that are increasingly woven into how teams operate: from AI-powered capabilities that accelerate decision-making, to Generative AI that helps you focus on work that truly matters. You'll have opportunities and resources to develop AI fluency at your own pace, with continuous learning built into the culture.

Key job responsibilities Business Ownership & Analytics

• Lead product-related customer research and perform data analysis in assigned areas
• Identify market trends and consumer insights to inform strategy, product development briefs, and business cases in assigned areas
• Manage full product lifecycle from strategic ideation in assigned areas through commercialization, launch, and in-market optimization
• Build and maintain long-term and annual product roadmap in assigned areas
• Monitor and respond to customer feedback and sales metrics
• Conduct weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews with data-driven insights and root cause analysis
• Develop and maintain product dashboards with KPIs to track progress against goals
• Optimize the critical Ps (Product, Price, Placement, Promotion) working with partner teams to bring products to life effectively
• Make data-informed decisions leveraging both qualitative and quantitative customer insights in assigned areas
• Collaborate with NA, EU, JP Category Merchant stakeholders to achieve financial plans and category objectives

Product Strategy & Development

• Own end-to-end product lifecycle, working backwards from customer needs to develop compelling product roadmaps in assigned areas
• Create and maintain product requirement documents, PRFAQs articulating product vision and strategy in assigned areas
• Serve as subject matter expert within the private labeling space, understanding supplier landscape and optimizing portfolio
• Drive new product creation and renovation of existing products to optimize total portfolio against business objectives
• Partner with Legal and Quality Assurance to bring products to market efficiently while managing risk
• Lead product development in assigned areas including category insights, formulation development with suppliers, cooking, preparation, sample presentations, and first production management
• Benchmark products against competition in assigned areas, ensure formulations meet key objectives and adhere to WFM's and EB's ingredient and quality standards

Sourcing Excellence

• Develop and nurture strategic supplier partnerships in assigned areas to drive innovation and operational excellence
• Establish and own relationships with key strategic suppliers to deliver product roadmap
• Develop methodology for determining optimal assemblers and co-manufacturers for short and long term
• Lead negotiation strategies to deliver against business objectives (safety, quality, cost, delivery) and achieve sustainable supplier relationships
• Implement supplier score carding and performance management systems to ensure quality, sustainability, and business outcomes
• Champion Organics, Fair Trade, Animal Welfare, Sustainability, and Quality Standards to advance WWGS mission
• Partner with Global Purchasing Teams, Distribution, and Regions to ensure alignment to category strategy

Product Experience Optimization

• Drive packaging innovation that enhances customer experience while supporting sustainability goals
• Influence product placement decisions through data-driven insights and customer decision tree methodology
• Collaborate with Pricing team to ensure products meet target price positions while maintaining margin requirements
• Balance customer value proposition with profit targets to deliver on Conscious Capitalism principles

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams and leaders
• Communicate, represent, and uphold WWGS core values and leadership principles
• Demonstrate bias for action, ownership mentality, and customer obsession in all activities
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams to deliver on customer expectations, operating profit, and channel requirements while meeting tight deadlines

Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience - 3+ years of experience in product management, sourcing, or category management - Demonstrated experience with data analysis and business metrics - Both Japanese language capability at native level and English at business level - Experience managing supplier/vendor/manufacture relationships and negotiations

Preferred Qualifications: - Experience in foods industry or retail grocery - Knowledge of sustainability practices, organic standards, and ethical sourcing - Experience with product research and development lifecycle management - Proficiency with data analysis tools and visualization software

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