Q&A with Andrea, Sr. Business Intelligence Engineer at EU Marketplace Pricing Team in Milan

In this Q&A, Andrea shares his insights on the unique work culture at Amazon, the rewarding challenges he's faced, and the valuable skills he's gained – all while embodying the Amazon's renowned Leadership Principle. His story offers a glimpse into the dynamic opportunities awaiting top tech talent and Business Intelligence Engineers at Amazon's EMEA Tech hubs.

Hi Andrea,

Can you tell us more about you and your Amazon career journey?

I joined Amazon in June 2021 as a Business Intelligence Engineer (Level 5) on the EU Marketplace Pricing team based in Milan, Italy. After two years of dedicated work and continuous learning, I was promoted to Senior Business Intelligence Engineer (Level 6) in June 2023.

This promotion was a significant milestone that made me feel recognized and valued within the company, and it was the result of Amazon’s commitment to employee growth. Amazon provided me with countless opportunities to expand my skills and capabilities, boosting my productivity and allowing me to reach my full potential.

I began experimenting with generative AI and gradually became a subject matter expert in this emerging field. The company’s vast array of career possibilities enables individuals to explore new directions and innovate on behalf of our customers, and I feel truly empowered to continue growing professionally and changing my career path while contributing to Amazon’s mission of delivering exceptional value to our customers.

Why have you decided to build a career in Tech?

What excites me most about working in the tech industry is the unparalleled opportunity to innovate on behalf of customers. Technology has a profound impact on people's lives, and being part of this industry allows me to think big and develop solutions that can revolutionize customer experiences. The fast-paced and ever-evolving nature of tech encourages me to constantly exploring new ideas and staying ahead of industry trends. I value the culture of ownership prevalent in the tech sector, where taking initiative and being accountable for results are highly encouraged. This environment pushes me to dive deep into complex problems, invent and simplify solutions, and deliver results that make a real difference.

I chose to pursue a tech career at Amazon specifically because of the company's unwavering commitment to customer obsession and its remarkable impact across a diverse range of industries. Amazon's mission to be "Earth's most customer-centric company" resonates deeply with my own professional values and aspirations. The opportunity to contribute to a company that consistently innovates on behalf of its customers is incredibly exciting to me. Amazon's track record of pioneering in areas such as e-commerce, cloud computing with AWS and artificial intelligence aligns with my desire to think big and develop solutions that can revolutionize customer experiences on a global scale.

Also, collaborating with teams that are at the forefront of technological advancement and customer service excellence offers a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Can you tell us more about your current team?

In my current role as a Senior Business Intelligence Engineer on the EU Marketplace Pricing team, I collaborate with a global group of product managers, data engineers, software developers, economists, and data scientists. Together, we work to help millions of selling partners set competitive prices for millions of products. Our goal is to ensure that customers have access to fair and competitive pricing, enhancing their shopping experience on Amazon.

What excites me most about our team's mission is the tangible impact we have on both shoppers and small businesses every day. We empower sellers by providing them with the data and tools they need to make informed pricing decisions, which in turn helps customers find the best deals. The dynamic and collaborative environment encourages me to think big and innovate, constantly seeking ways to improve processes and deliver results. I'm passionate about using data to drive meaningful changes and enjoy the challenge of simplifying complex problems to develop effective solutions. Being part of a team that values accuracy, reliability, and transparency motivates me to strive for excellence in all that we do.

Can you describe a typical day of a BIE at Amazon?

As a Business Intelligence Engineer at Amazon, my typical day is a dynamic blend of data engineering, analytics, science and strategic collaboration. I start my morning by checking the health of our data pipelines, ensuring that data from various sources is accurately and efficiently ingested into our systems. This involves working closely with data engineering teams to optimize ETL processes and maintain the integrity of our data warehouses.

Once the data is secured, I delve into transforming raw data into actionable insights. This includes developing key performance indicators and metrics that measure our team's success and highlight areas for improvement. Leveraging my business acumen, I analyze trends and patterns that can impact our strategies, helping to generate insights that align with our organizational goals.

One of the most exciting aspects of my role is integrating Generative AI and machine learning into our analytics processes. By incorporating AI technologies, we can automate repetitive tasks, enhance predictive analytics, and shape the future of BI through decision intelligence and augmented analytics. This not only increases efficiency but also empowers our team to make more informed decisions with greater confidence.

Data storytelling is another crucial part of my job. I translate complex data into compelling narratives. This helps communicate insights effectively to stakeholders, fostering a data-driven culture within the organization.

What I enjoy most about my day-to-day work is the opportunity to bridge the gap between data and decision-making. It's rewarding to see how the tools and insights I develop directly influence business strategies and improve experiences for both customers and sellers. The continuous innovation, especially in AI and analytics, keeps my work exciting and forward-thinking.

I would highly recommend others to pursue a career in this field because it sits at the intersection of technology and business. As a Business Intelligence Engineer, you have the chance to develop a versatile skill set that includes data engineering, analytics, AI, science and strategic thinking. With the increasing reliance on data-driven decisions, professionals in this role are essential for unlocking the full potential of data assets. Moreover, you're at the forefront of shaping how businesses will operate in the future, making it a fulfilling and impactful career choice.

If you would like to know more about BIE and the interview process at Amazon, I suggest to look at this link: https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/bie-interview-prep

What has been your proudest moment at Amazon, and how did it demonstrate your commitment to one or more of Amazon's Leadership Principles?

My proudest moment at Amazon was when I led a strategic initiative to transform our data analytics processes, significantly enhancing how our team and stakeholders make pricing decisions. Recognizing that our existing systems limited our ability to respond swiftly to market changes, I took the initiative to develop a new analytics framework that integrated advanced technologies, including exploring the potential of generative AI.

By automating complex data workflows and introducing predictive models, we turned vast amounts of data into actionable insights. This empowered our team to identify pricing opportunities more effectively, to help selling partners set competitive prices for their products across the world and, as a result, customers benefited from better prices and a more satisfying shopping experience.

This achievement demonstrated my commitment to several of Amazon's Leadership Principles:

·?????? Customer Obsession: By enhancing our analytics capabilities, we better served both customers and sellers, ensuring competitive pricing and strengthening customer trust.

·?????? Invent and Simplify: I introduced innovative solutions that simplified complex data processes, making critical insights more accessible and actionable for various teams.

·?????? Bias for Action: Proactively addressing a crucial business need, I swiftly moved from concept to implementation without waiting for directives.

·?????? Ownership: I took full responsibility for the project's success, overseeing every aspect from design to deployment, and ensured it adapted to the evolving needs of the business.

·?????? Deliver Results: The successful implementation led to measurable improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and strategic decision-making, positively impacting our team's performance and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Witnessing the tangible benefits of this initiative—such as increased operational efficiency, more strategic pricing decisions, and improved experiences for both customers and sellers—was incredibly rewarding. It reinforced my belief in the power of innovation and the significant impact that skilled Business Intelligence professionals can have in a big tech environment. Embracing new technologies like generative AI not only enhanced our processes but also positioned us at the forefront of industry advancements.

What aspect of Amazon's workplace culture do you find most peculiar and rewarding?

What I find most unique and rewarding about Amazon's culture is its strong emphasis on ownership and innovation. The culture encourages employees to take initiative, be accountable for their results, and think big to develop solutions that can revolutionize customer experiences. This environment pushes me to dive deep into complex problems, invent and simplify solutions, and deliver results that make a real difference.

Amazon's commitment to its Leadership Principles—such as Customer Obsession, Bias for Action, and Deliver Results—creates a dynamic and collaborative work environment. Being part of a team that values accuracy, reliability, and transparency motivates me to strive for excellence in all that I do. The opportunity to work on projects that have a tangible impact on both customers and selling partners is incredibly fulfilling.

This culture has significantly contributed to my overall job satisfaction by providing continuous opportunities for professional growth and learning. The support for exploring new ideas, especially in emerging fields like generative AI, has allowed me to expand my skills and stay ahead of industry trends. Knowing that my contributions directly enhance customer experiences and drive the company's mission forward gives me a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment in my role.

Which of Amazon's Leadership Principles resonates the most with you, and how do you apply it in your day-to-day work?

The Leadership Principle that resonates most with me is Customer Obsession. I believe that putting the customer at the center of everything we do is crucial for delivering exceptional value and driving innovation. In my role as a Senior Business Intelligence Engineer on the EU Marketplace Pricing team, I apply this principle daily by constantly seeking ways to enhance our analytics capabilities to better serve both customers and sellers.

By obsessing over the needs and expectations of our customers, I am motivated to dive deep into data, invent and simplify processes, and deliver results that make a real difference. This customer-centric approach drives me to think big and continually seek innovative solutions that enhance value for both customers and sellers.

If colleagues were to describe your standout talent, what would they likely say?

One unique skill that sets me apart is my ability to bridge the gap between complex data analytics and strategic business decision-making. I excel at transforming intricate data into actionable insights that drive meaningful changes. By integrating Generative AI and machine learning into our analytics processes, I've been able to automate repetitive tasks and enhance predictive analytics. This not only increases efficiency but also shapes the future of business intelligence within our team.

My passion for simplifying complex problems enables me to develop innovative solutions that are both efficient and effective. This skill has been particularly beneficial in my role, as it helps our team and stakeholders make more informed pricing decisions. By combining technical proficiency with strategic thinking, I contribute to our team's mission of delivering exceptional value and driving innovation at Amazon.

What is your favorite Amazon product or service?

One of my favorite Amazon service is Amazon Bedrock. As a Senior Business Intelligence Engineer, I am constantly exploring new ways to leverage AI technologies, and Bedrock offers a powerful platform for doing just that. Amazon Bedrock provides a suite of foundation models that allow developers to build and scale AI applications efficiently. Bedrock represents Amazon’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI innovation, making advanced technologies more accessible to a wide range of teams and projects. By using Bedrock, we are able to develop more sophisticated analytics tools, improve efficiency, and deliver enhanced value to both sellers and customers.

In terms of products, the Kindle Colorsoft is particularly impressive. This all-new Kindle brings vibrant color to the traditional Kindle experience without compromising on the core features I love.

What strategies do you use to balance your professional and personal life, and which activities do you enjoy when not working?

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance in a fast-paced tech environment is always a challenge, and I’d be honest—achieving this balance isn’t easy. Working in big tech often means juggling demanding projects, tight deadlines, and ongoing learning. It’s not impossible though. To manage it, I try to set clear boundaries, prioritize my tasks, and find time for activities that help me recharge.

Outside of work, I’ve recently become passionate about Brooklyn Fitboxing, a dynamic workout that combines boxing, kickboxing, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT workouts like Fitboxing are known for their effectiveness in boosting cardiovascular health, improving strength, and burning calories in a short amount of time. Plus, the structured and fast-paced nature of the training helps improve focus and mental resilience—both of which are valuable in my day-to-day work.

If you could offer one key piece of advice to a prospective Amazon applicant, what would it be

For many candidates, Amazon might initially seem like an impossible goal or a distant milestone. However, with the right preparation, a curious mindset, and a strong work ethic, it is entirely within reach. My best advice is to focus not just on developing the necessary technical skills, but also on embracing Amazon’s Leadership Principles.

During the interview process, be authentic and share what you are genuinely passionate about. Amazon values individuals who are not only skilled but also bring unique perspectives and enthusiasm to the table. Demonstrate your curiosity by showcasing your ability to explore new ideas, dive deep into problems, and learn continuously. By doing so, you'll not only prove your technical capabilities but also align yourself with Amazon’s core values.

If you're interested in pursuing a career as a Sr. Business Intelligence Engineer (BIE) at Amazon, you can view our open EMEA BIE positions at this link. Andrea's EU Marketplace Pricing Team is also hiring.. you can apply here !