Sr. Quality Assurance Manager, Packaging Innovation Lab, MSP-CX
Apply NowCompany: Amazon
Location: Sumner, WA 98390
Description:
Are you interested in leading a team dedicated to reducing waste and testing innovative packaging products? If packaging waste makes you cringe and you're passionate about developing others, Amazon's global Packaging Innovation Lab team may be the place for you. As the Quality Assurance Manager, you will lead a team of Laboratory Technicians responsible for testing packages and validating the Ship In Product Packaging Program. This position is within the Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging Organization, where your team's work directly impacts global packaging automation and sustainability goals, in support of Amazon's Climate Pledge.
The ideal candidate is an experienced leader who can build and maintain high-performing teams while understanding technical laboratory operations. You should have a strong background in laboratory or packaging environments, combined with excellent people management skills. You will be responsible for developing your team, driving operational excellence, and ensuring the lab meets its strategic objectives to deliver for our customers.
Key job responsibilities
Lead, coach, and develop a team of Packaging Lab Technicians, including providing regular feedback and career development opportunities
Drive operational excellence through daily lab management, including oversight of testing procedures, quality control, and workflow optimization
Establish and track performance metrics for both the lab and individual team members, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
Review and approve technical documentation, including test reports and stakeholder communications
Manage lab resources, including budget planning, equipment maintenance, and capacity planning
Partner with internal teams and external vendors to drive continuous improvement initiatives and process automation
Ensure compliance with safety protocols and maintain lab certification standards
Coordinate team assignments and travel requirements (up to 25%) for various packaging and robotics projects
Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across Amazon, serving as the primary point of contact for lab operations
Drive strategic planning for lab operations while balancing day-to-day operational needs
This role requires a dynamic leader who can balance technical expertise with people management, ensuring both team development and operational excellence while maintaining Amazon's high standards for safety, quality, and customer obsession.
A day in the life
As a Packaging Lab Manager, your day combines hands-on leadership with strategic oversight of lab operations. You'll start your morning reviewing key metrics and communicating with your team in person to align on priorities and address any operational challenges. Throughout the day, you'll move between coaching team members on testing procedures, reviewing and approving test reports, and collaborating with stakeholders across Amazon on packaging initiatives. You'll balance your time between ensuring smooth day-to-day lab operations, developing your team members through one-on-one meetings, managing rush requests and driving strategic improvements in processes and automation. The role requires you to be highly adaptable, as you may need to shift from analyzing performance data to troubleshooting equipment issues, or from leading team training sessions to participating in strategic planning meetings with senior leadership.
About the team
The Mechatronics & Sustainable Packaging Customer Experience (MSP CX) team works backwards from Internal Customer insights to Validate, Deploy and Support MSP solutions in for deployment in the field. The Packaging Innovation Lab Team supports testing and validation of packaging materials and packaging products, maximizing a solutions readiness and customer satisfaction.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in related field (Engineering, Packaging, Materials Science, or similar)
- 5+ years of experience in laboratory or packaging operations
- 3+ years of people management experience
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Proven track record of leading and developing teams
- Experience in stakeholder management and communication
- Experience with safety protocols and compliance requirements
- Lift up to 49 pounds and frequently push, pull, squat, bend, and reach. Participate in team-lifts for items over 50lbs.
- Stand/walk for up to 12 hours while in operational facilities
- Work in an environment where the noise level varies and can be loud, with a variety of indoor and outdoor weather conditions
- Continuously climb and descend stairs
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in related field (Engineering, Packaging, Materials Science, or similar)
- Experience managing industrial laboratory operations
- Knowledge and experience with ISTA, TAPPI, ASTM, ISO Test Methods
- Understanding of packaging industry trends and sustainability initiatives
- Experience with data analytics and reporting tools
- Background in continuous improvement methodologies
- Previous experience with packaging automation or robotics
- Experience with of CAD tools and 3D printing technologies
Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, 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.
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $132,000/year in our lowest geographic market up to $228,100/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.
The ideal candidate is an experienced leader who can build and maintain high-performing teams while understanding technical laboratory operations. You should have a strong background in laboratory or packaging environments, combined with excellent people management skills. You will be responsible for developing your team, driving operational excellence, and ensuring the lab meets its strategic objectives to deliver for our customers.
Key job responsibilities
Lead, coach, and develop a team of Packaging Lab Technicians, including providing regular feedback and career development opportunities
Drive operational excellence through daily lab management, including oversight of testing procedures, quality control, and workflow optimization
Establish and track performance metrics for both the lab and individual team members, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
Review and approve technical documentation, including test reports and stakeholder communications
Manage lab resources, including budget planning, equipment maintenance, and capacity planning
Partner with internal teams and external vendors to drive continuous improvement initiatives and process automation
Ensure compliance with safety protocols and maintain lab certification standards
Coordinate team assignments and travel requirements (up to 25%) for various packaging and robotics projects
Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across Amazon, serving as the primary point of contact for lab operations
Drive strategic planning for lab operations while balancing day-to-day operational needs
This role requires a dynamic leader who can balance technical expertise with people management, ensuring both team development and operational excellence while maintaining Amazon's high standards for safety, quality, and customer obsession.
A day in the life
As a Packaging Lab Manager, your day combines hands-on leadership with strategic oversight of lab operations. You'll start your morning reviewing key metrics and communicating with your team in person to align on priorities and address any operational challenges. Throughout the day, you'll move between coaching team members on testing procedures, reviewing and approving test reports, and collaborating with stakeholders across Amazon on packaging initiatives. You'll balance your time between ensuring smooth day-to-day lab operations, developing your team members through one-on-one meetings, managing rush requests and driving strategic improvements in processes and automation. The role requires you to be highly adaptable, as you may need to shift from analyzing performance data to troubleshooting equipment issues, or from leading team training sessions to participating in strategic planning meetings with senior leadership.
About the team
The Mechatronics & Sustainable Packaging Customer Experience (MSP CX) team works backwards from Internal Customer insights to Validate, Deploy and Support MSP solutions in for deployment in the field. The Packaging Innovation Lab Team supports testing and validation of packaging materials and packaging products, maximizing a solutions readiness and customer satisfaction.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in related field (Engineering, Packaging, Materials Science, or similar)
- 5+ years of experience in laboratory or packaging operations
- 3+ years of people management experience
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Proven track record of leading and developing teams
- Experience in stakeholder management and communication
- Experience with safety protocols and compliance requirements
- Lift up to 49 pounds and frequently push, pull, squat, bend, and reach. Participate in team-lifts for items over 50lbs.
- Stand/walk for up to 12 hours while in operational facilities
- Work in an environment where the noise level varies and can be loud, with a variety of indoor and outdoor weather conditions
- Continuously climb and descend stairs
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in related field (Engineering, Packaging, Materials Science, or similar)
- Experience managing industrial laboratory operations
- Knowledge and experience with ISTA, TAPPI, ASTM, ISO Test Methods
- Understanding of packaging industry trends and sustainability initiatives
- Experience with data analytics and reporting tools
- Background in continuous improvement methodologies
- Previous experience with packaging automation or robotics
- Experience with of CAD tools and 3D printing technologies
Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, 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.
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $132,000/year in our lowest geographic market up to $228,100/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.