Q&A with Saad Baloch, Account Manager with Global Logistics

Saad Baloch is an Account Manager with Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) based in London. He is on a team responsible for managing US Strategic Accounts that ship with AGL, Amazon's door-to-door ocean freight transportation program.

Tell us about what your team does and how it impacts your customers.

I've been a part of Amazon Global Logistics Strategic Accounts Team for 2+ years. My team helps sellers navigate the complexities associated with shipping, inbound fees, and the general state of the ocean market today.

Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) is a door-to-door ocean freight transportation program. It’s part of a fully automated set of services called Supply Chain by Amazon, that also comprises of the Partnered Carrier Program (PCP), Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD), Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF), and Buy with Prime. With AGL, sellers can ship inventory directly to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) facilities from overseas with reduced landed costs and competitive rates. My team’s goal is to provide complete end-to-end solution that keeps products in stock, provides faster and more reliable shipping, and significantly lowers costs for our sellers. Ultimately, we want our sellers to do more with less, allowing them to spend more time building great products, delighting customers, and growing their business.

What brings you excitement to your role and team?

What excites me in my role is that no two days are the same. When I started here, I was told that “The only constant at Amazon is change”. I learnt over time that this applies even more to Amazon Global logistics while it is still evolving, growing, and pushing the boundaries to meet the ever-changing needs of the supply chain industry. Our team has to anticipate market shifts and swiftly respond to emerging trends and challenges, ranging from pandemic demand surge (2020-21) to labor shortages at ports (2023) to the Red Sea Crisis (2023-24). By fostering a culture of agility and creativity within the team, we ensure that change is not just an inevitable part of our journey, but a driving force behind our success.

What is your favorite leadership principle and why?

I think your favorite leadership principle evolves over your Amazon career. While most tenured Amazonians index on "Think Big" and scaling up, my absolute favorite so far has been Earn Trust.

This principle at Amazon is particularly compelling because it underscores the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all interactions. In my role, I’ve had to interact with both internal and external stakeholders, from product leads to pricing strategy managers to C-suite leadership of companies that seller on Amazon FBA. This principle emphasizes the critical nature of building trust not only with my sellers but also with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners. Earning trust serves as the foundation for me to effectively collaborate, innovate, and achieve shared goals with my Sellers.

"By fostering a culture of agility and creativity within the team, we ensure that change is not just an inevitable part of our journey, but a driving force behind our success."

What is exciting about the Amazon office?

At Amazon, you're not just an employee; you're a vital part of a global team that's shaping the future of e-commerce, technology, and beyond. Amazon offices offer unparalleled experience characterized by a dynamic blend of innovation, collaboration, and opportunity. I’ve been fortunate enough to work out of a plethora of Amazon offices when I travel for internal and external meetings. While the Amazon Spheres in Seattle remain my favorite, I have enjoyed working out of our offices in Midtown Manhattan as well as in London where I am currently based. While each office is unique, Amazonians come together to make it a really special place. You will often see senior managers dining with interns, or AGL teams hanging out with Global Selling team members. As someone who started their career as a WFH employee, I cannot emphasize enough on the importance of an in-person collaboration for your learnings and growth. The physical presence of my team mates fosters spontaneous interactions and real-time communication, facilitating quick decision-making and problem-solving. It also helps that Amazon offices have a lot of events/happy hours scheduled where you can relax and unwind with your team.

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

I am a huge fan of brisk walking. I have walked 10 miles every day for the past 5 years with a total of only 9 days where I didn’t hit the 10-mile mark (4 of those days due to COVID-19). Each day, I carve out time to walk, which allows me to clear my mind and enjoy the sun (which is rare in London!). Whether it's a brisk morning walk to start my day with energy, a midday stroll to recharge during lunch, or an evening walk to unwind, this simple activity helps me stay grounded and focused. Sometimes I take 1:1 meetings from my phone while I try to hit my step goal for the day. On weekends, I love exploring new places on foot. Walking allows me to discover hidden gems in London, from quaint cafes to scenic parks, that I might otherwise overlook or not have time for.

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