Q&A with Jane Stringer - Program Manager with Amazon Transportation Engineering Systems

Jane Stringer and I recently started a new role as an Amazon program manager within the Transportation Engineering Systems (TESS) organization, based in Tempe, Arizona. The Amazon team I work with is responsible for configuring the company's internal transportation network, which includes fulfillment centers, sort centers, and delivery stations. This involves tasks like setting up new delivery routes, adjusting pickup times, and optimizing package sorting processes to get orders to customers as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

While I'm a regular Amazon customer, I've always wanted to work for the company to gain insider knowledge and be part of the global e-commerce leader. I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to join a team that plays such a crucial role in supporting Amazon's retail operations. It's been an exciting experience so far to contribute to the processes that make Amazon's fast and efficient delivery possible.

What is exciting about the Amazon office?

There is a real buzz of energy at the Amazon office and it’s such a thrill to work with such bright minds of all ages, from diverse back grounds and all corners of the globe. Everyone has a shared passion for action, improvement, thinking innovatively and cares deeply about what they do every day. Being new in role, I’ve been able to learn so much from other people in the office within and beyond my own team.

Favorite Amazon Memory

My favorite Amazon memory is getting to go inside the Amazon sphere buildings in Seattle.? As a tourist I had seen them from the outside and thought they were the coolest structures I’d ever seen and assumed they were some form of Amazon corporate office.?Imagine my surprise going in as an employee and discovering this tropical atmosphere, with thousands of plants, flora and fauna from all over the world, with walkways through trees, water features, meeting and gathering spaces scattered in amongst it all.?The whole place was so inspiring and very much reflective of Amazon the company, representing global diversity, growth, renewal, productivity and creativity.??

Based on your recent experience being hired by Amazon, what guidance would you provide to an individual currently progressing through their hiring process?

There are 3 pieces of advice I would give to candidates progressing through the hiring process:

1)????? I’m originally from the UK and my natural British reserve means that it doesn’t come naturally to me to use the term ‘I’ instead of ‘we’ or generally toot my own horn!? However, this is your time to shine, so take the time to prepare by thinking about your achievements and experiences, the role you played in achieving goals, lessons learned and barriers overcome and be comfortable to talk about them in a succinct yet explanatory way. ??

2)????? Don’t just read through the leadership principles, understand them and think about your experiences in relation to each principle.? Amazon is a large global organization and the leadership principles are critical to its culture, in many ways the fabric that glues employees and teams from all over the world together, providing a common way of thinking and making decisions.? In order to establish a good fit, there will be a heavy focus on these principles during the interview process.?

3)????? Thirdly, understand and be able to articulate why you want to work for Amazon.? You will work hard here, there will be a steep learning curve, and you will be expected to be self-reliant. Having a genuine passion for the company will give you the energy and drive to thrive and grow.?? ????

What are your favorite leadership principles and why?

My favorite leadership principles are Customer Obsession, Invent and Simplify, and Earn Trust.??

·???????? Customer obsession:

Many companies say they focus on customers; however, Amazon truly does obsess over them.? Customer obsession drives priorities and decision making and Amazon always works backward from the customer.? Decision making is made easy at Amazon because if there are a number of options on the table the one that is best for the customer will always win!?

·???????? Invent and Simplify

Amazon has been around for 30 years, yet everyday has a day one, start-up mentality with the drive to invent, reinvent and simplify at every turn.?? Amazon’s roots as an online book seller to where it is today with its many customer solutions and offerings speak to this ongoing transformation: never sitting still, always looking forward, always making things easier and more convenient for the customer.? One of my favorite parts of this principle is “…As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time’.? I love this phrase because it gives Amazon employees the freedom to invent solutions for customers that they don’t even know they need yet, to not just focus on meeting the needs of today, but the needs of tomorrow.??

·???????? Earn Trust

Earn trust is reflective of the way Amazonians communicate with each other, they speak up when things need improvement, deliver what they say they are going to deliver, and communicate with one another in a candid and respectful way.??? ?

What do you do for fun/ work life balance? ?

I love spending time outdoors, like to/try to keep fit, am a keen hiker and explorer.? I have a green thumb and love to grow things from seeds or small plants and watch them thrive.??

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Best place you have ever traveled?

I started my career in the hotel and travel industry and have been fortunate to be given the opportunity to travel to many different unique and interesting places. My favorite location however is one I went to on vacation.?? Over Spring Break one year my family and I headed to Vancouver Island BC.? Because we had limited time, we took a tiny sea plane from Seattle to Victoria flying right by the top of the Space Needle.? Once we landed in Victoria we drove up through the Island to Tofino.? I have never experienced such diversity in a single drive.?? From lakes, beaches, temperate rain forests, my favorite section being up in the mountains where late-season snow fall had created a magical white, winter wonderland of running streams, icicles, and waterfalls that was straight out of a scene from a Narnia fairy tale, taking my breath away at every turn.????

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