“The sky’s the limit”: Peterborough man marks 15 years with Amazon

The team at Amazon’s Peterborough fulfilment centre is celebrating a major career milestone as Area Manager Damian Sajda marks more than 15 years with the company.

Originally from Poland and now living in Peterborough, Damian first came to the UK and settled in London before a friend encouraged him to make the move to Peterborough - a decision that would set the course of his entire career.

Damian’s Amazon journey began not at Amazon itself, but at LoveFilm, an online DVD and Blu-ray rental service based in Peterborough. When Amazon acquired LoveFilm, Damian found himself part of the Amazon family without having to change city. Over the following years, he worked across several Amazon buildings, spending time at sites in Peterborough and Manchester, embracing each move as an opportunity to broaden his experience.

In 2017, Damian transferred to Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Peterborough - just ten minutes from home - where he has spent the last four years working across pick, pack and shipping departments, covering a variety of shifts.

“Pretty much wherever my skills are required, I’ll just be there,” Damian says.

What strikes Damian most about Amazon, wherever he has worked, is the unwavering focus on safety. “No matter where you go, each Amazon building puts safety first,” he explains. “We need to make sure that employees come to work, do their job safely and go home. I’ve seen that come through in every single Amazon building.”

Damian began his Amazon career as a Level 1 associate - the starting point in Amazon’s career structure - and has worked his way up to Area Manager. He credits his experience on the shop floor as one of the most valuable parts of his journey.

“I think that’s a very positive thing - you understand what motivates people, and everything goes along from there.”

That people-first approach has been reinforced through training programmes Damian has taken part in over the years, including a session that he still thinks about today.

“That particular programme was about being vulnerable, being honest and truthful, having the confidence to speak to your manager and knowing they’ve got your back,” he recalls. “That training really stayed with me.”

Now, with a new Amazon site set to open in Peterborough later this year, Damian has his sights set on new challenges. He has applied for a role at the new site, drawn by the energy and opportunity that comes with a building launch.

“Whenever there is a new building launch, there are plenty of things that need to be solved, and I love that fast-paced environment,” he says. “But it also gives you a great opportunity to set up the right culture, the right mindset, a safety-orientated environment - from day one.”

Looking further ahead, Damian hopes to progress to Operations Manager and, in time, potentially Senior Operations Manager or Site Leader.

“I started as a Level 1 and I’m now on Level 5,” he remarks. “Site lead is Level 7 - it’s only two levels away. The sky’s the limit.”

One thing Damian believes will always set great managers apart - no matter how much technology changes - is the ability to connect with people. “The future is AI, and we see new tools launching at Amazon every week,” he says. “But what will always be valuable is those managers with good people skills. AI can only do so much. After that, it’s all about interaction between human beings.”

For anyone considering a career at Amazon, Damian’s advice is simple: go for it.

“It’s challenging in a positive way, and it’s fast-paced,” he says, “and there are a lot of benefits and a lot of things you can learn - things that will stay with you no matter where your career takes you. Safety, quality, people - these are the key elements at Amazon, and they apply to any business in the world.”

Amazon’s Peterborough fulfilment centre has been a key part of the company’s UK operations for over a decade. The site employs thousands of people from across the region and beyond - with staff representing nationalities from right around the world - and continues to play a vital role in delivering for customers across East England and beyond.