Strategic Partnerships Manager

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.

Team Summary:

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.

Role Summary:

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.

What You'll Be Doing:

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 to ensure follow-through on commitments, timely escalation of issues, and continuous improvement of the Amazon Returns program.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance long-term partnership goals with day-to-day operational execution.
• Strong business and financial acumen with experience managing programs, partnerships, or business portfolios with measurable financial impact.
• Proven ability to build trust and influence senior leaders, cross-functional stakeholders, and external partners.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision making.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to translate complex information into executive-level recommendations.
• Strong project and program management capabilities with experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and driving results through collaboration and influence.

What's Needed - Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 10+ years of experience in business management, strategic partnerships, program management, category management, merchandising, business operations, or related fields.
• Experience managing significant business relationships, strategic partnerships, or commercial programs with measurable financial accountability.
• Strong understanding of retail partnerships, cross-functional execution, and omni-channel program management.
• Proven ability to analyze data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable recommendations and executive-ready reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate, influence, and drive operational execution across internal and external stakeholders in a complex organization.

What's Needed - Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, reporting, forecasting, and business performance management.
• Experience serving as a business owner for a large-scale partnership, strategic account, or commercial program.
• Strong ability to manage strategic partnerships and influence internal and external stakeholders to deliver results.
• Experience in program management, operational improvement, or partnership optimization within a retail or consumer-facing environment.
• Strong executive communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Ability to prioritize, operate with urgency, and manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced, evolving business environment.

Get Great Perks:

• Bonus plan and generous amount of paid time off, including one Floating Holiday each year.
• Flexible work arrangements, including flexible work hours.
• 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, plus many additional voluntary benefits.
• Associate store discount and additional perks, including discounts on mobile plans, entertainment, and more.

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity.  In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation. 

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The world of working and learning has changed. This is your opportunity to be a part of a brand transformation and growth strategy within the retail industry. Staples is helping our customers and community discover innovative products, services, and inspiration that unlock what’s possible, while empowering you to unlock your potential. Our people are the heart of our success and there has never been a better time to join us as we lead the way in a new era of working and learning.

Want to learn more about Staples Stores? Visit RetailCareers.Staples.com for information and to learn about our career opportunities.

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