About this role
We are looking for a Category Manager to own and grow the Produce (F&V) & Perishable business at Amazon. This role sits at the intersection of category strategy, vendor management, and operational excellence — you will drive selection and pricing decisions, and ensure customers get the best availability and speed at sustainable economics. This is a high-ownership, high-visibility role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves fast with data, and builds lasting relationships with both internal stakeholders and external vendors. Core Responsibilities 1. Category Ownership & P&L Management • Develop selection and pricing strategies grounded in market data, customer demand signals, and competitive benchmarking. • Track category health metrics daily and drive corrective actions with speed. 2. Vendor Management & Sourcing Strategy • Lead vendor relationships for Produce — negotiate terms, drive compliance, and build long-term partnerships. • Build and execute a direct farmer / FPO sourcing roadmap to improve freshness, cost, and supply reliability. • Identify and onboard high-potential vendors and emerging D2C produce brands. 3. Operational Excellence & Supply Planning • Drive in-stock availability and speed-of-delivery targets for the category. • Own seasonal demand and supply planning — anticipate volatility and build buffers proactively. • Reduce Cost of Business Waste (CoBW) through process improvements across procurement, forecasting, and fulfillment. • Partner with in-stock, logistics, and supply chain teams to resolve systemic gaps. 4. Market Insights & Strategy • Continuously monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback to surface opportunities. • Generate data-driven recommendations for selection expansion, pricing adjustments, and new programs. • Build long-range category forecasts in collaboration with partner teams. 5. Cross-Functional Collaboration • Work closely with business leaders, city/regional vendor managers, in-stock managers, and marketing teams to align priorities. • Lead structured discussions and ensure decisions are backed by quality inputs. • Present category reviews and strategic recommendations to senior leadership. Basic Qualifications • 3+ years of experience in category management, vendor management, or business development. • Strong analytical skills — comfortable owning large datasets and drawing metric-based conclusions. • Proficiency in Excel (Pivot Tables, VLookups) and SQL. • Proven track record of managing vendor relationships and driving P&L outcomes. • Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field. Preferred Qualifications • MBA or Master's in Business, Supply Chain, or Agri-business. • Prior experience in fresh produce, grocery, or perishables categories. • Experience with demand forecasting, supply planning, or in-stock management. • Familiarity with FPO / direct farmer sourcing models. • Experience presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders. Key job responsibilities Own the end-to-end P&L for the Produce (F&V) category, including planning, forecasting, and driving growth — with a complete understanding of internal and external variables that impact the business. Develop and execute selection and pricing strategies grounded in market data, customer demand signals, and competitive benchmarking; continuously track market trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities. Lead vendor relationships for Produce — negotiate terms, drive compliance, and build long-term strategic partnerships; develop and execute a direct farmer / FPO sourcing roadmap to improve freshness, cost, and supply reliability. Drive in-stock availability and speed-of-delivery targets; own seasonal demand and supply planning, anticipating volatility and building buffers proactively. Reduce Cost of Business Waste (CoBW) through process improvements across procurement, forecasting, and fulfillment in partnership with in-stock, logistics, and supply chain teams. Generate and implement ideas to drive business improvement, innovation, and scale within the category, including building long-range forecasts in collaboration with partner teams. Work closely with regional and city vendor managers, in-stock managers, and cross-functional teams to align priorities and ensure execution excellence. Present category reviews, business performance, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership. Identify and onboard high-potential vendors and emerging sourcing partners to strengthen and diversify the supply base. About the team -