Q&A with Nia Watkins, Program Manager GLS/GTS ACES

Nia Watkins is originally from California but relocated to Arizona from New York in 2020 after accepting an Area Manager position to launch Goodyear 1, an AR sortable Fulfillment Center (FC) located in Goodyear, Arizona. This marked the beginning of her Amazon career. After implementing many positive changes, helping Goodyear 1’s Inbound Receive dock achieve major metrics goals, and creating processes that increased productivity, Nia accepted a position as Inbound Cross Dock manager at Central Flow. There, she helped cross-docks effectively flow work downstream to their FCs. Currently, Nia is an independent contributor (IC) Program Manager on the Global Logistics Services/Global Transportation Services (GLS/GTS) Amazon Customer Excellence System (ACES) team, where she focuses on improving processes for global operations.

Prior to working with Amazon, Nia spent six years as an Operations Manager for Southwest Airlines. In this role, Nia had the opportunity to live in most major metro cities in the US, including Chicago, which has been her favorite city to live in so far.

In her free time, Nia enjoys being active through weight lifting, spin classes, and hiking. She is also passionate about running races. She has participated in two half marathons, several 5/10Ks, and is currently training for a full marathon. Nia also enjoys trivia and trying new restaurants with her friends, spending quality time with her family in San Diego, attending live concerts around North America, and visiting spas around Arizona.

Nia is also active in the community, volunteering with Phoenix-area events that support marginalized communities. She also volunteers with Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that empowers women through professional development, including resume writing, interview preparation, and career confidence building.

How have you handled challenges and achieved success in the past?

I value constructive feedback deeply. It has shaped me into the leader I am today. My biggest challenge at Amazon came during my initial Fulfillment Center role. Coming from an Airport Operations background, I struggled with the numerous applications and processes unique to Amazon's operations. Though initially overwhelmed, I overcame these obstacles by identifying my specific challenges and seeking guidance from teammates and leaders who excelled in those areas. This approach—connecting with subject matter experts and conducting thorough research—has become my standard method for tackling challenging situations.

What accomplishment at Amazon are you most proud of?

As an Inbound (IB) Receive manager, I inherited a team struggling with low morale and poor metrics. Within three months, we became the top-performing site in our region, achieving the highest Connections scores and reducing turnover. This success was particularly significant because previous leaders had dismissed the team as underperforming, despite cycling through multiple management changes. The experience taught me a crucial leadership lesson: any team can excel when provided with the proper tools, support, and encouragement.

What brings you passion/excitement to your role and team?

In my current role as IC Program Manager, I'm excited by the opportunity to drive change and improve processes. I leverage strategic thinking and my passion for operations to create efficient, consistent processes for our global operation. For example, I'm currently working on an analysis of our global warehouses to determine if one of our current processes is cost-saving, efficient, and most importantly, if it promotes safety for our people and helps ensure that we are delivering for our Amazon customers. I'm passionate about conducting research, gathering data, and partnering with other organizations in the Amazon network to determine whether a process is beneficial.

"The experience taught me a crucial leadership lesson: any team can excel when provided with the proper tools, support, and encouragement."

What do you do for fun/ work life balance?

My passion for fitness includes weight training, running (from 5Ks to marathons), and hiking. These activities enhance my overall well-being, contributing to my physical, emotional, and mental health.

What is your favorite leadership principle and why?

It's a tie between "Hire and Develop the Best" and "Bias for Action" as my favorite Amazon leadership principles. I love "Hire and Develop the Best" because I'm passionate about developing people and seeing them accomplish their goals. "Bias for Action" resonates with me because I believe great things come from taking initiative, even in the face of uncertainty. It demonstrates the courage to take chances, which is at the core of Amazon's ethos.

To check out opportunities within the GLS/GTS ACES organization click here.