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.
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/WFM’s 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 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
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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
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English & Japanese
- Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiations
Preferred Qualifications
- 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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