Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Staples is focused on our customers and our community. The Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships will serve as the business owner for Staples' Amazon Returns partnership, overseeing program strategy, financial performance, operational execution, and future growth initiatives across the U.S. Retail Stores (USR) business. You will be accountable for managing the partnership portfolio, ensuring Staples captures the full value of its investment while delivering financial, customer, and operational objectives.

This role is responsible for leading the ongoing relationship with Amazon, negotiating new programs and initiatives, ensuring compliance with financial and operational commitments, and driving continuous improvement across the business. Through strong cross-functional leadership, analytics, and commercial acumen, you will identify opportunities to enhance profitability, customer experience, and program performance while helping shape the future direction of this strategic partnership.

Success in this role requires the ability to influence senior stakeholders, lead complex initiatives, manage substantial financial accountability, and effectively balance the needs of both Staples and Amazon to achieve mutually beneficial business outcomes.

The Strategic Partnerships team is responsible for managing and optimizing key third-party business relationships that drive customer engagement, operational excellence, and financial performance across Staples' retail network. This team partners closely with internal stakeholders, including Operations, Finance, Marketing, Legal, Retail Leadership, and external business partners to deliver innovative programs, maximize partnership value, and support company growth objectives.

The Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships serves as the primary business owner of Staples' Amazon Returns partnership. This individual will lead strategic planning, financial oversight, program execution, performance management, and relationship governance while identifying opportunities to expand and enhance the partnership. The role requires a combination of strategic thinking, business acumen, financial management, program leadership, and stakeholder influence to drive measurable business results.

Relationship Management, Strategy & Performance

• Serve as the primary business owner for the Amazon Returns partnership, leading the day-to-day relationship and representing Staples in ongoing business discussions with Amazon.
• Manage the business portfolio, driving financial performance, operational effectiveness, and long-term partnership value.
• Lead business reviews with Amazon and internal stakeholders, translating performance insights into strategic recommendations and actionable plans.
• Negotiate new programs, enhancements, and partnership initiatives that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and financial results.
• Hold Amazon accountable to agreed-upon operational and financial commitments, ensuring Staples realizes the full value of negotiated program terms.
• Monitor program performance and develop reporting and analysis on sales, traffic, returns volumes, profitability, service levels, and operational trends to identify opportunities and risks.
• Communicate program performance, key issues, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Financial Management & Business Ownership

• Own the financial oversight of the Amazon Returns business, including monthly revenue and expense reconciliation, performance analysis, forecasting support, and financial accuracy.
• Ensure accurate receipt and validation of all financial obligations associated with the Amazon Returns partnership.
• Analyze business performance and trends to identify opportunities for growth, expense management, and profitability improvement.
• Partner with Finance and cross-functional stakeholders to evaluate business outcomes, support planning activities, and maximize return on investment.

Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead program management activities for Amazon Returns initiatives, ensuring execution against business objectives, timelines, and operational requirements.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, Store Communications, Field Leadership, Marketing, Legal, and other teams to support smooth program execution and resolve business challenges.
• Track and help maximize all negotiated terms of the Amazon Returns agreement, ensuring Staples captures the full financial and operational value of the partnership.
• Drive issue resolution, process improvements, and program enhancements with internal stakeholders and Amazon counterparts.
• Support business reviews and partnership discussions with clear performance narratives, data-backed insights, and recommendations.
• Develop and maintain tools, trackers, and reporting frameworks that improve visibility to program performance, accountability for key actions, and decision-making.
• Establish a disciplined operating cadence…