Canada Business Trade Strategy Manager at Amazon – Toronto

AI Summary

The Canada Business Trade Strategy Manager at Amazon in Toronto, ON, is a strategic role focused on optimising global trade services. You will serve as a trusted partner to Canadian business stakeholders, understanding their import and export needs and operational constraints. Key duties include identifying opportunities to streamline cross-border processes and advising on effective trade strategies. Top requirements include at least six years of compliance, audit, or risk management experience, a Bachelor's degree, and working knowledge of Canadian import processes or the ability to rapidly develop this expertise.

About the Role

Amazon is actively seeking a sharp, customer-obsessed Canada Business Strategy & Engagement Manager to join its dynamic team in Toronto. In this pivotal role, you will establish yourself as a trusted strategic partner to various Canadian business stakeholders, embedding deeply within their operational challenges and understanding their specific trade needs and constraints. Your primary objective will be to work alongside these stakeholders, identifying opportunities to remove friction, build smarter, and foster more resilient ways of operating within the complex global trade landscape. This is not a sales position; rather, it is a dedicated partner role, demanding a blend of strategic thinking, analytical prowess, and execution capability. You'll translate intricate data and customer insights into tangible business outcomes, directly shaping Amazon's market approach in Canada and deepening relationships with key strategic customers and partners.

The global trade environment is currently undergoing its most significant realignment in decades, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Canadian businesses. Shifting tariff structures, the reconfiguration of supply chains, and evolving cross-border regulations are fundamentally reshaping how companies compete, invest, and achieve growth. In this climate, a robust trade strategy has transcended being merely an operational concern; it has become a board-level imperative. Businesses are increasingly prioritising market resilience, diversifying their sourcing, and developing differentiated engagement models designed to withstand external volatility. Consequently, having a dedicated strategic partner who possesses a deep understanding of both the business landscape and the intricacies of the trade environment is no longer a mere advantage but a competitive necessity.

This role is positioned at the very centre of this transformative shift. You will be instrumental in helping Canadian stakeholders navigate the complex and ever-changing import and export landscape. A key part of your responsibility will involve surfacing opportunities to reduce costs and operational complexity, enabling stakeholders to make confident, informed decisions in an uncertain market. You'll seamlessly transition from conceptual whiteboarding to detailed spreadsheet analysis and compelling stakeholder presentations, combining commercial acumen with an insatiable operational curiosity. This will allow you to deliver a clear, actionable point of view on the optimal path forward for various business units. This is a high-visibility, high-impact position, ideal for an individual who thrives amidst ambiguity, can quickly earn trust, and possesses the unique ability to sit with a business stakeholder, truly understand their world, and then return with a concrete, actionable plan.

A Day in the Life & Team Culture

No two days are ever the same for a Canada Business Trade Strategy Manager, which is precisely what makes this role so engaging and interesting. Your morning might commence with a thorough scan of overnight trade news over coffee. Perhaps there's a new tariff announcement or an update to a CUSMA ruling; you'll quickly discern which of your Canadian business stakeholders will be most affected and then swiftly compile a concise briefing on its implications for their cross-border strategy. You'll then engage in calls with various business units, many of whom are under pressure to reduce landed costs or navigate new import duties. During these discussions, you'll explore real, viable options with them, such as alternative sourcing markets, duty deferral programs, or the strategic utilisation of trade agreements, until a promising avenue for further exploration is identified.

A significant portion of your time will be spent collaborating with trade compliance and logistics colleagues, rigorously pressure-testing recommendations before they are presented to stakeholders. You won't hesitate to challenge assumptions or push back if something doesn't align or add up. As a project leader, you'll drive critical initiatives, such as optimising import lanes or consolidating cross-border flows. This involves running productive working sessions, proactively clearing roadblocks with customs brokers, and making decisive calls on timelines when trade-offs become necessary. You'll meticulously prepare quarterly business reviews that genuinely advance the conversation, focusing on the tangible outcomes you've delivered and outlining strategic next steps, rather than merely recapping past events. At the close of each day, you'll dedicate a few minutes to updating your notes, flagging any individuals requiring follow-up, and meticulously setting yourself up for the next day's challenges. You'll leave with a clear head and a well-defined plan in place, ready to continue driving strategic import and export solutions.

The Global Trade Services (GTS) team, which you'll be a part of, plays a crucial role in enabling Amazon and its extensive network of partners – including customers, vendors, and sellers – to move products, technology, and software efficiently and compliantly across international borders. The team is dedicated to developing innovative import/export solutions that ensure the right products reach the right places at the right time and cost, underpinning Amazon's vast operational network and global business strategy.

Qualifications for Success

To excel as a Canada Business Trade Strategy Manager, candidates are expected to bring a robust foundation of experience and expertise. Basic qualifications for this strategic role include a minimum of six years of experience in compliance, audit, or risk management. A comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office products and applications at an advanced level is also essential for managing data and presentations effectively. Furthermore, a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification is required, demonstrating a solid academic background. Crucially, candidates must possess a working knowledge of Canadian import processes, trade regulations, and/or tariff structures, or demonstrate a clear and rapid ability to develop this specialised expertise. This foundational understanding is vital for advising business stakeholders on complex trade matters.

While the basic qualifications establish a strong baseline, certain preferred qualifications can further enhance a candidate's profile and strategic impact. A Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification is highly valued, indicating a proven capability to lead and deliver complex initiatives from conception to completion. Experience leveraging technology and implementing lean principles or Six Sigma methodologies to drive process improvements is also a significant asset, reflecting a commitment to operational excellence and efficiency within the trade environment. Additionally, a Master's degree or an equivalent advanced qualification is preferred, suggesting a deeper theoretical and practical understanding that can contribute to more sophisticated strategic planning and execution. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive culture where all Amazonians are empowered to deliver the best results for customers, ensuring that diverse perspectives enrich the overall business strategy.