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WWRR Sustainability Lead, WorldWide Returns & Recommerce

Amazon United States Added on Sep 9, 2026
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This senior leadership position serves as the single-threaded owner for sustainability strategy within Amazon’s massive reverse-logistics network. You will directly manage the carbon intensity glidepath, building decarbonization funding, and environmental claims substantiation, while orchestrating waste and packaging initiatives across diverse program teams. Your primary objective is to transform the logistical complexity of over a billion annual returns into a streamlined, low-carbon operation.

The role is critical because it addresses the environmental legacy of global e-commerce at an unprecedented scale. By optimizing the re-commerce journey, you ensure that products are diverted from landfills and that every return becomes an opportunity for circularity rather than a carbon liability. This is a rare chance to steer the decarbonization and circular economy strategy for one of the world’s largest logistics footprints.

This suits someone who thrives in high-visibility roles and possesses the analytical rigor to translate complex environmental data into financial and operational narratives for executive leadership. You should be a master of cross-functional influence in a matrixed environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As the single-threaded owner, you will be responsible for defining the multi-year strategy for the Worldwide Returns and Recommerce (WWRR) sustainability program. This includes setting ambitious goals for carbon reduction, inventory waste diversion, and packaging efficiency across the global network. You will directly manage the carbon intensity glidepath and decarbonization funding strategies while ensuring that all environmental claims related to resale and returns programs are legally substantiated and compliant with global standards. Additionally, you will lead the quarterly business reviews (QBRs) presented to VP-level leadership.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in reverse logistics sustainability at a scale that is virtually unmatched in the private sector. You will learn to navigate complex carbon attribution models and building decarbonization templates within a massive operational infrastructure. Furthermore, you will sharpen your skills in regulatory compliance and green-claim frameworks, such as the FTC Green Guides and ISO standards. Exposure to Amazon's scientific and legal sustainability teams provides a unique vantage point on how Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) are applied to global circular economy programs.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of program management experience with a strong foundation in data-driven decision-making. You should have a proven track record of owning end-to-end strategies and influencing senior directors or VPs through clear, narrative-based communication. Technical knowledge in carbon accounting, circular economy principles, or waste reduction is highly valued, alongside an MBA or Master's degree in a relevant field. The ability to use AI tools for process improvement and a background in scaling large-scale operations or workforce development programs are significant advantages.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to speak the 'language of the business' by showing how you have previously converted environmental metrics into financial or operational value. Amazon values leaders who can dive deep into data while maintaining a high-level strategic vision. Tailor your application to highlight specific instances where you managed competing priorities across matrixed organizations. Given the focus on 'Sustainability Messaging,' highlighting experience with compliance or public-facing environmental claims will signal your readiness for the high-stakes legal and PR aspects of this role.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role sits at the intersection of operational decarbonization and circular commerce. You will focus heavily on reducing the carbon footprint of returns transportation and the physical buildings where returns are processed. Another major pillar is waste diversion and inventory circularity, ensuring that unsellable products are routed back into the economy through textiles or electronics recovery streams. You will also lead efforts to eliminate unnecessary packaging in the returns journey, targeting plastic and paper bag reduction.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

The primary challenge is the sheer scale and complexity of a network processing over a billion returns annually. Coordinating a unified sustainability strategy across a matrixed environment involving transportation, operations, and procurement requires exceptional diplomatic and organizational skills. You may also face challenges in balancing aggressive growth and customer experience goals with strict carbon intensity glidepaths. Ensuring that every environmental claim is scientifically backed while moving at the speed of e-commerce requires constant vigilance and cross-departmental alignment.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with reviewing carbon intensity data to prepare for an upcoming Quarterly Business Review (QBR), followed by a meeting with the science team to discuss Lifecycle Assessment results for a new circularity pilot. You will likely spend time collaborating with Global Procurement or Building Science teams to secure funding for low-carbon materials. The afternoon could involve reviewing packaging journey maps or drafting narratives for VP-level leadership to explain the progress of inventory waste reduction goals.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Given the high visibility of this role, there are significant opportunities for advancement into senior leadership roles within Amazon’s global sustainability or operations divisions. You will be positioned as a subject matter expert in one of the company's most complex verticals. Successful performance can lead to broader mandates over global supply chain strategy or specialized roles in carbon science and corporate governance. The exposure to executive-level planning cycles (OP1/OP2) provides a springboard for high-level strategic roles.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with VP and Director-level leadership within Recommerce and Returns Transportation to drive annual planning and goal setting. Collaboration with the Worldwide Sustainability (WWS) and Science teams is constant to ensure methodology alignment. External-facing work involves partnering with Legal, PR, and Industry Relations to manage the company's public sustainability narrative. You will also work closely with Global Procurement and operational teams at Return Centers (ReLo) to implement waste and energy reduction programs.

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