Amazon names new CEO technical advisor

Amazon has announced leadership changes in its Worldwide Selling Partner Services (SPS) division.

Starting in March, Dharmesh Mehta, VP of SPS, will serve as CEO Andy Jassy’s new technical advisor.

Mehta has been with Amazon for over 12 years, focusing on tools and services for independent sellers.

Amit Agarwal, SVP of International Emerging Stores, will expand his role to oversee SPS and Customer Trust teams, reporting to the CEO of Amazon Stores, Doug Herrington.

Agarwal has been with Amazon for nearly 27 years and manages Amazon’s stores in countries including India, Brazil, and Australia.

The company uses the technical advisor role to develop future leaders, with current TA Alex Dunlap transitioning to a new position.

🔗 Source: Amazon

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

This leadership change affects Amazon’s retail flywheel

The Selling Partner Services (SPS) division runs Amazon’s third-party marketplace. That marketplace accounts for over 60% of all physical units sold on Amazon 1.
SPS backs Amazon’s shift toward higher-margin services. It brings in revenue from seller fees, advertising, and fulfillment services 2.
The group works with a wide range of sellers, from private label brands where many sellers spend $2,500 or more to get started to retail arbitrage sellers who resell products sourced elsewhere. Among those arbitrage sellers, 25% earn less than $500 per month 3.

Amazon’s seller approach may be moving toward automation

The change may mean fewer human-run relationships with independent sellers and more automation tied to compliance. Some observers call this trend ‘Merchant Nihilism’ 4.
As Amazon earns more from its platform, it benefits from more uniform seller interactions at scale. That includes stricter performance rules that favor the customer 2.
Mehta plans to shift in March after five years leading the Worldwide Selling Partner Services (SPS) organization. He will move into CEO Andy Jassy’s technical advisor role 4.
Amit Agarwal will widen his remit beyond International Emerging Stores to also oversee SPS and Customer Trust teams. The reshuffle aligns with an emphasis on scalable systems over hands-on partner management 4.