Description
Amazon is seeking an experienced Food Production Process Implementation and Product Quality Supply Chain Manager (L6) to lead cross-functional programs ensuring batched recipes are produced accurately and scale correctly across Whole Foods Market food production facilities. This role combines deep expertise in food manufacturing process implementation, product quality assurance through visual and sensory analysis, and operational troubleshooting to deliver consistent, high-quality products across our fresh food production network. The ideal candidate will partner with process engineers, commercialization teams, and program managers to drive successful process implementation while working directly with site managers to resolve production challenges and support general facility operations.
Key job responsibilities
Recipe Scale-Up and Process Implementation
Lead end-to-end process implementation for batched recipe production, ensuring recipes scale correctly from test kitchen through pilot runs to full facility production volume
Partner with process engineers to validate production workflows, equipment configurations, and batch parameters during recipe scale-up and ongoing production
Collaborate with commercialization and program management teams to align process implementation timelines with product launch schedules and business requirements
Develop and maintain standardized process documentation including production SOPs, scale-up guidelines, and batch production procedures for facility teams
Conduct process validation activities from pilot through full commercial production, troubleshooting formulation, process, and equipment challenges to ensure successful launches
Lead cross-functional teams through stage-gate processes ensuring all technical, quality, and operational requirements are met prior to production handoff
Build mechanisms to capture and share process implementation best practices across production facilities
Product Quality Assurance and Sensory Analysis
Own product quality assurance through systematic visual inspection and taste analysis protocols, ensuring finished products meet Whole Foods Market quality standards and culinary specifications
Manage tasting schedules and sensory evaluation processes, coordinating with cross-functional stakeholders to document findings and drive corrective actions when product quality deviates from standards
Drive root cause analysis when product quality deviations occur and implement corrective action preventive action (CAPA) initiatives to prevent recurrence
Develop quality performance metrics and product quality scorecards that provide visibility into production consistency, sensory evaluation results, and quality trends across facilities
Ensure all production processes comply with food safety regulations including HACCP, GMP, and applicable quality management standards
Partner with commercialization teams to validate that scaled production output matches the culinary intent and gold standard recipes established during development
Site Operations Support and Troubleshooting
Work directly with site managers to troubleshoot process implementation issues, production variances, and recipe execution challenges at the facility level
Support general facility operations by identifying process improvement opportunities, optimizing production efficiency, and assisting with operational needs across the building
Lead on-site process change management, ensuring facility teams understand and can execute new or modified production procedures
Develop contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies to address potential production blockers and operational challenges at each site
Lead post-implementation reviews and capture lessons learned to continuously improve process deployment methodologies and production playbooks
Stakeholder Management and Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with process engineers, commercialization teams, quality assurance, food safety, and operations leadership to drive aligned process implementation priorities
Build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups including site managers, program managers, and engineering teams
Communicate progress, challenges, and outcomes effectively through narratives, presentations, and status reports
Drive mindful discussions that lead to crisp decisions, balancing competing interests and trade-offs between quality, throughput, and cost
Serve as a mentor and coach to less experienced team members on production processes, quality standards, and troubleshooting methodologies
Data-Driven Decision Making
Track and report on process implementation milestones, quality metrics, and production performance using established tools and reporting mechanisms
Analyze production data and quality metrics to identify trends, improvement opportunities, and process optimization targets
Regularly review performance metrics and proactively seek improved data mechanisms for visibility into process implementation progress and product quality
Contribute to OP1/OP2 narratives and own organizational goals related to process implementation and product quality excellence
A day in the life
Position may require up to 50% travel to food production facilities for process implementation, troubleshooting, and quality audits
Significant time on manufacturing floor observing production processes, conducting quality assessments, and engaging with facility teams
Ability to work in food manufacturing environments including temperature-controlled areas, production kitchens, and processing floors
Flexibility to work various shifts as needed to support manufacturing operations and production launches
Occasional evening or weekend work during critical production launches or process implementation phases
Flexibility to work across time zones supporting multiple production facilities
Basic Qualifications
5+ years of program or project management experience
5+ years of supply chain experience
Experience using data and metrics to determine and drive improvements
Experience owning program strategy, end to end delivery, and communicating results to senior leadership
4+ years of managing food safety and quality in a large-scale retail or manufacturing environment experience
Experience influencing senior leaders/stakeholders
Experience with analytical tools and ability to dive deep into metrics and reporting
Experience writing technical documents, project plans and progress reports to leadership and to stakeholders
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field
Preferred Qualifications
2+ years of driving process improvements experience
Master's degree, or MBA in business, operations, human resources, adult education, organizational development, instructional design or related field
PMP certificate, or MBA in supply chain management, operations, engineering, analytics or related field
Experience in food production
Knowledge of consumer product compliance processes and regulations
Experience with process improvement techniques such as Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma
Experience leading process improvements
Experience in a fast-paced, automated, industrial, logistics, production or manufacturing environment
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.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .
USA, TX, AUSTIN - 115,400.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
