Amazon (AMZN) announced Clark’s resignation, beginning July 1, in a regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. In a tweet, Clark said, “I’ve had an amazing time at Amazon, but it’s time to rebuild. That’s what drives me.”
During her stay at Amazon, Clark helped build and oversee the company’s extensive logistics network of warehouses, delivery trucks, aircraft, and cargo ships, which helped her speed up shipping times and master online retail market.
Its departure, however, comes as Amazon faces several new challenges, such as slowing growth, increased regulatory control, and a growing number of organizational efforts among warehouse workers. In particular, the consumer segment has been under strain, while its AWS cloud services business continues to generate huge profits.
Amazon experienced an increase in demand and hiring during the pandemic, as shoppers shifted more from their online purchases. But in April, Amazon reported a slowdown in revenue growth and rising costs during the first quarter of the year, which lowered the price of its shares.
Andy Jassy, who took over as CEO of Amazon last summer from founder Jeff Bezos, said in a statement with the latest earnings report that “the pandemic and the post-war war in Ukraine have led to growth and unusual challenges. ” Jassy also noted that the company continues to “work with inflationary pressures and the ongoing supply chain.”
In his note to Amazon staff on Friday, Clark alluded to some of these challenges and expressed confidence in the team to overcome them.
“We have a great leadership team in the consumer business that is ready to take on more as the company evolves beyond the customer experience challenges we took on during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he wrote. “We also have a strong multi-year plan to fight the inflationary challenges we face in 2022.”
Amazon has also faced multiple unionization efforts in recent months, including on Staten Island, New York, where warehouse workers voted to form the first U.S. e-commerce giant’s union. ‘April. Amazon is appealing the results, calling for union elections to be renewed.
Clark has publicly defended the company amid unionization efforts and scrutiny of employee treatment. He made headlines last year for hitting Bernie Sanders on Twitter after the senator staged a rally in support of Amazon workers seeking to unionize at an Alabama facility.
“I often say we’re the Bernie Sanders of entrepreneurs, but that’s not entirely right because we actually offer a progressive job,” Clark said in a tweet deleted since then. Amazon’s union election in Bessemer, Alabama, ended earlier this year with results too close to being called after it had to end amid controversy.
In his note on Friday, Clark did not mention any new roles he may have after Amazon.
“For some time now, I’ve been talking about my intention to make the transition from Amazon to my family and others close to me, but I wanted to make sure the teams were ready to succeed,” Clark wrote. “I’m sure now is the time.”