Principal Supply Chain Manager

Summary

Join Instacart as a Principal Supply Chain Manager to lead global sourcing, supplier strategy, and manufacturing operations for the Caper Cart, a key part of Instacart’s Connected Stores initiative. You will develop and execute end-to-end supply chain strategies, focusing on scalability, cost optimization, and risk mitigation. Lead sourcing, procurement, planning, logistics, and fulfillment operations, designing and implementing a geo-diversification roadmap across Asia, the U.S., Mexico, and India. Build and maintain a diversified manufacturing footprint, negotiating with suppliers and managing performance. Collaborate with engineering, finance, compliance, and logistics teams to ensure alignment on cost, quality, and delivery. Translate complex strategies into actionable plans and foster a high-performance team culture.

Requirements

• 10 + years of supply chain, sourcing, or manufacturing operations experience—ideally in consumer hardware, robotics, or IoT
• Deep knowledge of component sourcing and OEM partnerships in Asia, plus experience navigating alternative geographies
• Track record of building global supply chains from the ground up
• Strong understanding of BOM cost structure, negotiations, and supplier performance management
• Experience setting up or transitioning manufacturing lines or operations in new regions
• Technical fluency to collaborate effectively with engineers and understand component-level tradeoffs
• Excellent negotiation, project management, and cross-functional communication skills
• Comfort working in a fast-paced startup environment where ownership matters
• Professional working proficiency in Mandarin

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute end-to-end supply chain strategies aligned with company goals, with a strong focus on scalability, cost optimization, and risk mitigation
• Lead sourcing, procurement, planning, logistics, and fulfillment operations
• Design and implement a geo-diversification roadmap, evaluating regions such as Asia, the U.S., Mexico, and India based on risk, cost, lead time, and supplier capabilities
• Identify, evaluate, and secure partnerships with top-tier suppliers and OEMs—especially in Asia—with an eye toward strategic diversification
• Recommend optimal manufacturing locations by assessing geopolitical risk, tariffs, logistics, and supply base maturity
• Build and maintain a diversified and resilient manufacturing footprint, including leading due diligence for regional expansion or production shifts
• Lead supplier negotiations, RFQs, and contract structuring; oversee performance tracking, quality audits, scorecards, and escalation paths
• Collaborate with engineering to source components that meet both technical and regulatory requirements, and drive BOM cost reductions without compromising compliance or performance
• Serve as a strategic bridge across hardware engineering, finance, compliance, logistics, and customer experience to ensure alignment on cost, quality, and delivery
• Drive initiatives to improve inventory turns, reduce COGS, and enhance supplier performance and product quality
• Proactively monitor supply chain risks including regulatory changes, market pricing volatility, and geopolitical events
• Translate complex supply chain strategies into clear, actionable plans for both internal and external stakeholders
• Foster cross-functional alignment and accountability to hit operational milestones
• Support hiring and development within the supply chain team, contributing to a high-performance and execution-oriented culture

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with compliance-heavy hardware products (e.g. CE, FCC, UL, food-safe materials)
• Prior experience with setting up or managing the U.S.-based or nearshore manufacturing

Benefits

• Instacart provides highly market-competitive compensation and benefits in each location where our employees work
• This role is remote
• This role is eligible for a new hire equity grant as well as annual refresh grants