Job description
We’re transforming the grocery industry
At Instacart, we invite the world to share love through food because we believe everyone should have access to the food they love and more time to enjoy it together. Where others see a simple need for grocery delivery, we see exciting complexity and endless opportunity to serve the varied needs of our community. We work to deliver an essential service that customers rely on to get their groceries and household goods, while also offering safe and flexible earnings opportunities to Instacart Personal Shoppers.
Instacart has become a lifeline for millions of people, and we’re building the team to help push our shopping cart forward. If you’re ready to do the best work of your life, come join our table.
Instacart is a Flex First team
There’s no one-size fits all approach to how we do our best work. Our employees have the flexibility to choose where they do their best work—whether it’s from home, an office, or your favorite coffee shop—while staying connected and building community through regular in-person events. Learn more about our flexible approach to where we work.
OVERVIEW
The Senior Director of Procurement will lead the expansion of Instacart’s Procurement function, building a centralized and strategic pillar of business operations. Reporting to the VP of Corporate Finance, this leader will develop new strategies, enhance current processes, and establish a scalable foundation for efficient, cost-effective operations.
This role requires both a forward-looking vision for the team’s growth and a hands-on approach to streamlining procurement processes, aligning with the company’s long-term goals.
ABOUT THE TEAM
The Procurement team is centralizing its activities to drive strategic value, cost efficiency, and operational excellence. Currently consisting of 4 members, the team manages end-to-end sourcing for portions of the business while building scalable systems to support company growth. As Instacart continues to evolve, the team will need to grow in order to own additional spend and support the company’s long-term growth strategy.
As Senior Director, you will lead, develop, and mentor this high-performing team, collaborating with leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment and maximize efficiency.
ABOUT THE ROLE
- Build and lead a high-performing procurement organization, focusing on team mentorship, development, and performance optimization.
- Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for the Procurement function that aligns with company goals and maximizes cost efficiency.
- Expand the scope and centralize the Procurement function to create a unified, data-driven approach to sourcing and vendor management.
- Develop sourcing and procurement strategies across all categories of spend, identifying cost-saving opportunities and ensuring supply chain resilience.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their business needs, develop tailored strategies, and foster cross-functional relationships.
- Foster strong relationships with key vendors and lead high-stakes negotiations.
- Influence executive-level management and stakeholders through deep expertise and a solutions-oriented approach.
- Oversee compliance with global procurement, contracting, and purchasing policies, as well as lead our Third Party Risk Management strategy.
- Develop and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of procurement initiatives.
- Stay informed of market trends, emerging technologies, industry best practices, and supplier ecosystems to drive innovation.
ABOUT YOU
Minimum Qualifications
- 15+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management, with a proven leadership track record.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, IT, or a related field.
- Experience building and scaling procurement functions within organizations, preferably in a fast-changing environment.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership.
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills across diverse spend categories.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and make data-informed decisions.
- High business acumen, including fluency in financial and legal concepts related to procurement.
- Proven success leading and mentoring diverse teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA or an advanced degree in a relevant field.
- Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, or PMP.
- Experience working in online marketplaces or other similar companies.
- Bay Area based and willing to work in-office 1-2 days per week.
Instacart provides highly market-competitive compensation and benefits in each location where our employees work. This role is remote and the base pay range for a successful candidate is dependent on their permanent work location. Please review our Flex First remote work policy here.
Offers may vary based on many factors, such as candidate experience and skills required for the role. Additionally, this role is eligible for a new hire equity grant as well as annual refresh grants. Please read more about our benefits offerings here.
For US based candidates, the base pay ranges for a successful candidate are listed below.
CA, NY, CT, NJ
$239,000—$265,000 USD
WA
$229,000—$254,000 USD
OR, DE, ME, MA, MD, NH, RI, VT, DC, PA, VA, CO, TX, IL, HI
$220,000—$244,000 USD
All other states
$198,000—$220,000 USD
