Sr. Product Research & Development Manager, Worldwide Grocery Stores, Japan Private Brands, 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 our Whole Foods Market (WFM) and Amazon-branded proprietary food products 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 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.

WWGS Japan & APAC owns the development and growth of our Food PB portfolio inclusive of Whole Foods Market. We develop the food PB expansion and growth strategy to support our broader Grocery efforts across Core Consumables Amazon Fresh Express Mart Quick Commerce and Sub-Same Day Grocery working across multiple channels and partner teams. Our team is responsible for multiple functions including Sourcing Product Development Quality and Commercialization.

In this team the Sr. Product Research & Development Manager Worldwide Grocery Stores Japan Private Brands serves as an exceptionally motivated and talented Product R&D Manager with a strong customer focus data-driven passion for great quality food and with the drive and resilience to deliver results for our Food PB business in Japan. This role will be responsible for supporting developing and executing product research and development and sensory initiatives in support of WWGS/WFMs retail objectives. Also this role conducts product-related customer research performs data analysis and works with Exclusive Brands (EB) leadership to develop and position new products. We require an individual who combines a passion for consumers and food with a willingness to move fast and experiment often.

Do you have a passion for consumers brands food and the desire to build something customers love If you do we need your enthusiasm and skill to work as a part of a team that develops food private brands.


Key job responsibilities
Business Ownership & Analytics
Lead product-related customer research and perform data analysis
Identify market trends and consumer insights to inform strategy product development briefs and business cases
Manage full product lifecycle from strategic ideation through commercialization launch and in-market optimization
Build and maintain long-term and annual product roadmap
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
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
Create and maintain product requirement documents PRFAQs articulating product vision and strategy
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 including category insights formulation development with suppliers cooking preparation sample presentations and first production management
Benchmark products against competition and ensure formulations meet key objectives and adhere to WFMs and EBs ingredient and quality standards

Sourcing Excellence
Develop and nurture strategic supplier partnerships 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


A day in the life
Whats a day in the Amazon office like Benefits Bachelors degree
- 5 years of experience in product management sourcing or category management
- Demonstrated experience with data analysis and business metrics
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English & Japanese.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiations

- MBA or advanced degree
- Experience in natural 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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