The keyword “org chart Amazon” often brings up questions about how one of the world’s largest and most influential companies organizes its leadership and operations. Amazon is far more than an e-commerce giant—it is a diversified technology company with businesses that include cloud computing, logistics, entertainment, artificial intelligence, health services, robotics, and more. Because of this complexity, the Amazon org chart reveals a layered, highly coordinated structure designed to balance innovation with operational efficiency.

This article breaks down Amazon’s organizational structure, leadership hierarchy, business segments, and how each part works together. Whether you’re researching the company for competitive intelligence, business strategy, academic work, or general curiosity, understanding the Amazon org chart offers valuable insights.

Why Amazon’s Org Chart Matters

Amazon’s organizational structure is unique because:

• It supports an enormous variety of business units.

  
  

• It manages millions of employees across the globe.

• It must balance innovation (AWS, AI, robotics, automation) with precision in execution (fulfillment, logistics, customer service).

• It maintains rapid decision-making despite its size.

Studying the Amazon org chart provides lessons in management, scale, and organizational design that other enterprises look to replicate.

1. Amazon’s Overall Organizational Structure

Amazon uses a functional organizational structure with strong hierarchical leadership and an internal model known as “single-threaded leadership.” Each major initiative or business line is led by a dedicated leader who has authority, budget, and autonomy to execute without needing cross-departmental approval.

Key Characteristics of the Amazon Org Structure

1. Functional Hierarchy

Amazon is divided into major functions such as:

• E-commerce retail

• AWS (Amazon Web Services)

• Operations & fulfillment

• Transportation & logistics

• Prime & streaming services

• Devices & Alexa

• Advertising

• Healthcare initiatives

• Corporate functions (finance, HR, legal, public policy, etc.)

Each function is headed by a senior vice president or CEO of a business segment.

2. Centralized Leadership

At the top sits the President & CEO, supported by senior executives who oversee major business divisions.

3. Single-Threaded Leadership Model

Instead of matrix-style structures that require cross-functional reporting, Amazon assigns each major project or product to a leader responsible only for that initiative.
This reduces organizational friction and speeds up innovation.

4. S-Team Leadership Group

Amazon’s S-Team (“Senior Team”) is a select group of top executives who collaborate closely with the CEO. They influence long-term strategy, core company decisions, and cross-business priorities.

This small, elite group acts as Amazon’s central brain — shaping culture, processes, and long-term direction.

2. The Top Level of the Amazon Org Chart

CEO

The top of the Amazon org chart is the Chief Executive Officer, the company’s highest-ranking executive responsible for overall vision, strategy, and performance.

S-Team Members

Directly under the CEO are senior vice presidents and presidents of major business units. These include leaders overseeing:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• Worldwide Amazon Stores (e-commerce retail)

• Prime Video and Amazon Studios

• Advertising

• Devices, Alexa & Consumer Electronics

• Global Operations, Fulfillment & Logistics

• People & Culture (HR)

• Finance & Accounting

• Legal & Public Policy

• Project Kuiper (satellite broadband)

• AI & Machine Learning initiatives

• Healthcare units (Amazon Pharmacy, One Medical)

Each S-Team leader manages a massive segment of Amazon’s business, often comparable in size to an entire Fortune 500 company.

3. Key Divisions in the Amazon Org Chart

Amazon’s size requires a breakdown by business segment. Below is how their org chart is typically structured:

A. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS is Amazon’s most profitable business unit.
It includes:

• Cloud compute (EC2)

• Storage (S3)

• Databases

• AI/ML tools

• Enterprise cloud solutions

• Data centers & infrastructure

AWS has its own CEO and senior leadership teams for engineering, sales, cloud operations, and global accounts.

B. Worldwide Amazon Stores (E-Commerce)

This is Amazon’s retail arm — the part most consumers interact with.
It includes:

• Marketplace (3rd-party sellers)

• Amazon retail brand

• Amazon Fresh / Whole Foods

• International retail (Europe, Asia, Middle East)

• Customer experience & product categories (electronics, fashion, home, etc.)

Each region and category has its own VP or director overseeing operations.

C. Operations, Fulfillment & Logistics

Often referred to as the “backbone of Amazon,” this division covers:

• Fulfillment centers

• Sorting centers

• Last-mile delivery

• Amazon Air

• Amazon Robotics

• Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program

This part of the org chart supports rapid delivery and efficiency — one of Amazon’s competitive strengths.

D. Amazon Prime, Video & Entertainment

This division includes:

• Prime membership strategy

• Amazon Prime Video

• Amazon Studios (film & TV production)

• Music & podcasts

• Gaming (Twitch, Amazon Games)

Each has its own leadership under a central entertainment division head.

E. Devices & Alexa

This division manages:

• Alexa voice technology

• Echo devices

• Kindle

• Fire tablets

• Ring and smart home products

Amazon is known for merging hardware, software, and AI innovation under one product-focused leadership unit.

F. Advertising & Marketing Services

Amazon’s advertising business has grown into a major revenue generator, covering:

• Sponsored ads for marketplace sellers

• Streaming ads on Prime Video

• Display advertising across Amazon devices and platforms

It is led by a senior VP with sub-teams for product, sales, analytics, and ad tech systems.

G. Healthcare & New Initiatives

Amazon’s health businesses include:

• Amazon Pharmacy

• One Medical (primary care)

• Health data services

These emerging units are run by general managers and VPs with healthcare specialization.

4. How Decision-Making Works at Amazon

Amazon is famous for its unique leadership philosophy. The org chart is designed to support:

1. High Ownership

Every leader is responsible for outcomes, not tasks.
Teams act like mini-startups inside the company.

2. Fast Decision-Making

Amazon uses:

• “Two-pizza teams”

• Written narratives instead of PowerPoints

• Press release-style product proposals (“Working Backwards”)

These practices help simplify communication across the layers of the org chart.

3. Customer Obsession

All business units are aligned around customer experience—even if it means reorganizing or restructuring to meet needs more effectively.

5. Store-Level and Fulfillment-Level Structure

While Amazon is known for its tech and retail leadership, its ground operations follow a clearer hierarchy:

Fulfillment Center Structure

• Associates

• Process assistants

• Area managers

• Operations managers

• Senior operations managers

• General managers

Logistics & Delivery Structure

• Delivery associates

• DSP owners

• Regional logistics managers

• Transportation leads

Retail / Whole Foods

• Store associates

• Department supervisors

• Assistant store managers

• Store manager

• Regional operations director

These structures ensure daily operations run with precision.

6. Why Amazon’s Org Chart Works

Strengths

• Encourages innovation through autonomy

• Maintains accountability across massive divisions

• Supports global operations and rapid scaling

• Promotes a culture of data-driven decision-making

Challenges

• Can create siloed teams

• Complexity increases as new businesses emerge

• Requires disciplined leadership to maintain speed and agility

Conclusion

The Amazon org chart is a reflection of a hyper-scalable, innovation-driven enterprise. Its combination of a hierarchical structure, single-threaded leadership, functional divisions, and deep specialization allows it to operate in diverse industries while maintaining customer focus and operational efficiency. Understanding how Amazon organizes its teams provides valuable lessons in leadership, strategy, and modern organizational design.

FAQ: Amazon Org Chart — Common Questions

1. What type of organizational structure does Amazon use?

Amazon uses a functional hierarchical structure combined with single-threaded leadership. Each business unit has autonomy but reports up a defined chain of command.

2. Who sits at the top of Amazon’s org chart?

The CEO sits at the top, supported by the S-Team—a group of top executives who lead major business units and strategic functions.

3. How is AWS integrated into the org chart?

AWS operates like its own company, with a CEO, engineering teams, sales teams, and global infrastructure leadership. It reports directly to Amazon’s senior executive leadership.

4. What is the S-Team at Amazon?

The S-Team is a small group of top executives responsible for major strategic decisions, culture, and company-wide leadership.

5. How does Amazon manage so many business units?

Through single-threaded leadership, two-pizza teams, written narratives, and clear ownership principles that prevent decision bottlenecks.