Amazon executive Steve Kessel to step down; to open first Quebec distribution center

E-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc's long-serving executive Steve Kessel will leave the company after 20 years, a company spokesperson told Reuters on Friday.

Kessel, a senior vice president who has worked on Amazon's "Kindle" and brick-and-mortar store "Amazon Go", said he would be focusing on community service and not-for-profit work.

Beginning January, Dave Clark who is responsible for the company's global supply chain and logistics operation will assume Kessel's roles.

In separate news on Friday, Amazon said it plans to open its first fulfillment center in Quebec next year and expects to employ more than 300 full-time workers. The facility will pack and ship items ranging from toys to small electronics, the company said.

In September, the company announced it will open its sixth fulfillment center in Ontario.

Rival Shopify Inc has also been strengthening its delivery network and has earmarked $1 billion for its fulfillment centers.

Seattle-based Amazon currently employs more than 2,000 full-time workers at its existing Ontario facilities in Brampton, Mississauga and Milton. In total, the company has more than 6,000 employees in Canada.