In this episode of Amazon Unplugged, we sit down with Samir Kumar, Country Head - India and Regional VP - IN, MENA, TR, RoW, one of the founding members of Amazon India, whose journey with the company is nothing short of legendary.Samir, in conversation with host Rajeev Sharma, Director, Talent Acquisition, Amazon India, takes us through the early days of Amazon’s India launch — a time filled with bold decisions, long hours, and an unwavering commitment to customers and sellers. From onboarding some of the very first sellers to shaping the seller ecosystem we know today, Samir has played a pivotal role in building Amazon India from the ground up.But this episode isn’t just about business. Samir also opens up about the lessons he's learned along the way, how he balances intense work with personal time, and what work-life harmony truly means in a fast-paced environment like Amazon. With over a decade of leadership experience, his reflections are both insightful and inspiring — whether you’re new to Amazon or have been around since Day 1.Tune in to the full episode to uncover leadership lessons, career advice, and behind-the-scenes stories that can help you think bigger, move faster, and grow stronger in your own journey.Know more about available job openings here: ➡️ https://amazon.jobs/en/?&cmpid=AS_YTIS200165B

From building a successful software career to empowering young women to have successful careers, explore Gitanjali Bhutani’s vision for creating an efficient, scaling software ecosystem at Amazon. In the latest episode of Amazon Unplugged, Gitanjali Bhutani, Director, Software Development, Amazon India, reflects on her rewarding tech career, right from working in embedded systems to leading the software development team at Amazon India. She highlights the importance of working backward from the customer to innovate tech solutions that enhance customer experience. Possessing a passion for mentoring and enabling people, she champions women in tech by guiding them through her impeccable leadership skills. Gitanjali also highlights the success of the Amazon Future Engineer program, where young women engineering students belonging to underrepresented and marginalized communities are encouraged to shape their careers through financial aid, internship opportunities, and leadership guidance provided by Amazon. Tune in to this episode hosted by Rajeev Sharma, Director, Talent Acquisition, Amazon India, to gain valuable insights into building scalable tech solutions, fostering inclusivity, and shaping the future of engineering.

What does 17 years of growth, innovation, and leadership look like? Gain insights from Vivek Somareddy, Vice President, Seller Experience for Emerging Markets & Indian Global Trade, as he shares his Amazon journey—from starting as a software developer in Seattle to spearheading Amazon’s seller experience across global markets. In this episode of Amazon Unplugged, hosted by Rajeev Sharma, Director of Talent Acquisition at Amazon India, Vivek dives deep into the intricacies of empowering sellers and expanding India’s global trade footprint. Learn how Amazon supports Indian startups and MSMEs through game-changing initiatives like Global Selling, Seller Flex, and Smart Commerce. Don’t miss the inspiring journey of Shumee Toys founder, Dr. Meeta Sharma Gupta, as she shares her path to taking an Indian brand to the global stage through Amazon’s platform. Watch the full episode and discover Amazon’s commitment to fueling the success of Indian entrepreneurs on a global scale. Know more about available job openings here: ➡️ https://amazon.jobs/en/?&cmpid=AS_YTIS200165B

"One of my biggest fears about joining Amazon was losing the freedom to experiment that I had in startups. To my surprise, Amazon gave me even more room to innovate," shares Sridhar Kulasekharan, Director of Retail Business Services, Amazon, in this episode of Amazon Unplugged, hosted by Rajeev Sharma, Director, Talent Acquisition, Amazon India. Sridhar recounts his 30-year career journey from storm-chasing as a research scientist to leading transformation in retail at Amazon. He emphasizes RBS’s critical role in safeguarding the customer experience while championing inclusivity through DEI initiatives. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity, Sridhar highlights his involvement with Amazon’s PWD Affinity Group, dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to thrive at Amazon. Gain valuable insights on leadership, technology, and the future of retail in this engaging episode. Tune in to Amazon Unplugged on Amazon Music, Spotify, or your preferred platform for the full episode. Know more about available job openings here: ➡️ https://amazon.jobs/content/en/our-workplace/working-at-amazon?cmpid=SP_YTIS201470B

"A career is a marathon, it's not a sprint, you need to be patient, and you need to build that muscle and experience.” Join Zeba Khan, Director of Beauty, Personal Care & Luxury Beauty, Amazon India, in the sixth episode of the Amazon Unplugged podcast hosted by Rajeev Sharma, Director, Talent Acquisition, Amazon, where she talks about her extensive experience in commercial leadership, reflecting on her career journey from consumer-packaged goods (CPG) sales to leading Amazon's transformative efforts in the beauty industry in India. Discover the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving market, as Zeba emphasizes Amazon's unwavering commitment to transparency and building customer trust. She also delves into Amazon's innovative strategies, including virtual try-ons and engaging live shopping events, designed to elevate the customer shopping experience and democratize access to luxury beauty products across India. Don't miss out on this captivating discussion about the future of beauty retail and how Amazon is reshaping the industry landscape. Know more about available job openings here: ➡️ https://amazon.jobs/en/?&cmpid=AS_YTIS200165B

Empowering small businesses and protecting consumer rights: Discover Dharmesh Mehta's global vision for building a delightful marketplace. Dharmesh Mehta, Vice President, Worldwide Selling Partner Services, Amazon, answers this question on the latest Amazon Unplugged Podcast episode. Dharmesh emphasizes the significance of approachable leadership and offers insights into his Amazon experience. He also discusses how his team enhances the seller experience on Amazon, using technology to combat fraud and upcoming innovations at Amazon. Amazon Unplugged is a leadership podcast highlighting Amazon leaders’ career journeys hosted by Rajeev Sharma, Director, Talent Acquisition, Amazon India. Discover actionable insight, join the conversation, and explore the unique perspectives of Amazon’s leadership team. Know more about available job openings here: ➡️ https://amazon.jobs/en/?&cmpid=AS_YTIS200165B

“Even though we’ve invested a lot in automation, the people are the heart and soul of our operations.” Join Abhinav Singh, Vice President of Operations at Amazon India, on the latest Amazon Unplugged episode as he discusses the significance of empathy in leadership, and talks about Amazon operations, innovation, and excellence. Explore the synergy as technology meets human effort in Amazon's order process, the impact of innovation in sustainability, and the diverse talent shaping Amazon's culture. Amazon Unplugged is a video podcast showcasing Amazon leaders' career journeys, hosted by Rajeev Sharma, Amazon's Director of Talent Acquisition. Join the conversation, gain actionable advice, and explore the unique perspectives of Amazon leaders. Know more about available job openings here: ➡️ https://amazon.jobs/en/?&cmpid=AS_YTIS200165B

Dive into the full episode!

00:00:00-A Peek into the episode 00:00:53-Introducing Abhinav Singh 00:01:32-Early life before Amazon 00:03:05-Initial days at Amazon 00:06:01-Learning experiences at Amazon 00:07:24-The Bar Raiser Program 00:08:22-Operations at Amazon 00:13:59-Heart of the operations 00:15:35-Amazon's commitment to sustainability 00:20:11-Building a diverse and inclusive workforce 00:22:52-Impact of Amazon on individuals 00:25:06-Exciting Round of "Does it Ring a Bell?" 00:28:12-Rapid Fire featuring Alexa 00:30:06-Wrapping up the Episode

In Episode 3 of Amazon Unplugged, Mahendra Nerurkar, Vice President, Payments, Emerging Markets, Amazon, talks about Amazon Pay, his approach to leadership, and customer obsession with Rajeev Sharma, Director, Talent Acquisition, in this episode of the Amazon Unplugged podcast. Discover Amazon Pay's future in India and Emerging Markets, uncover how to strike a balance between personal and professional life, get a peek into Amazon's hiring process, and explore the synergy between leadership and Mahendra's favourite sport- cricket. It's a short, captivating journey into the heart of innovation and customer obsession. Dive into the full episode!