Rocco Braeuniger selected as Amazon Australia’s retail country manager
After months of speculation about Amazon and its potential effect on the Australian market, Rocco Braeuniger has been named as the manger of the company’s Australian retail operations.
Braeuniger has over a decade of experience at Amazon, having worked at Amazon Germany since 2006, most recently as director of consumables, cross site and mobile customer experience.
He was previously manager of the sporting and outdoor goods categories.
On Thursday, Amazon also confirmed that it would be opening its first fulfilment centre in Dandenong South in south-east Melbourne. The massive 24,000-square-metre warehouse is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the suburb.
Local mayor Jim Memeti told ABC Radio Melbourne: “We’re just delighted that a world-renowned name like Amazon wants to set up in Dandenong.”
The company has already begun recruiting for a range of roles including operations managers, systems technicians and HR specialists.
Amazon already employs close to 1,000 employees in Australia, primarily in the Amazon Web Services business.
In a statement, Amazon said: “We are excited to bring thousands of new jobs to Australia, millions of dollars in additional investment, and to empower small Australian businesses through Amazon Marketplace.
“We are optimistic that by focusing on the things we believe customers value most — low prices, vast selection, and fast delivery — over time we’ll earn the business of Australian customers.”
The exact launch date for Amazon’s retail offering has not yet been announced.
