Retail Ops Excellence Sr. Associate, Implementation

Overview

About the Role

As a Retail Ops Excellence Sr. Associate, Implementation, you'll be vital in supporting on-the-ground launch activities at new Caper Store Launch Sites.  You’ll play a key role in initial launch success, facilitating pre and post-launch processes, and ensuring that on-the-ground execution aligns with our strategic goals. 

We have three openings associated for this role and are seeking candidates across key geographies (East, West, Central US).  In this role, we’d aim to focus your travel and launch support to your primary region with up to 75% travel during typical launch periods. During busy periods or more complex implementations this role may require some weekend support, travel outside your Primary Region, and/or you to spend your entire working week at a site (100% away from home).

This position requires a proactive, strategic mindset, adaptability to changing conditions, and the ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels, from store associates to corporate leaders. Your efforts will directly contribute to transforming retail operations, elevating performance across Instacart’s in-store technology and product lines.

About the Team 

You’ll be joining the Retail Ops Excellence (ROE) team, a driving force behind operational success for Instacart’s retail partners using our Caper Carts. The ROE team is instrumental in scaling in-store technology and fulfillment solutions to unlock growth, optimize efficiency, and enhance the in-store experience for both customers and associates. 

The Programs & Implementation Team, as part of the ROE Team, manages the development, planning, and rollout of solutions across new launches, expansions, and new features while also fostering continuous improvement to provide a best-in-class store experience for users, keeping retailers in mind.

This role will be focused on Connected Stores, specifically Caper, our smart shopping cart offering using deep learning and computer vision for a seamless grab-and-go retail experience. Our plug-and-play solution needs no store renovations; retailers simply buy the carts to gain cashierless capabilities. Caper, a fast-growing retail automation product, costs less than 1% of competitors’ infrastructure and is widely adopted. Our cross-functional team solves problems our customers love.

About the Job

• Execute the playbook for launching new in-store technology to retail locations: Spearhead on-the-ground launch activities at new Caper Store Launch Sites. This role involves supporting initial launch success, facilitating pre and post-launch processes, and ensuring on-the-ground execution aligns with our strategic goals.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: interface with central teams, retail partners, and vendors to ensure launch activities are on track. Train & support local the team, work hand-in-hand with them to launch the site, and hand off before moving to the next deployment.
• Hands-on Tasks: As our company values say, “roll up your sleeves”. Ensure that all tasks necessary to launch the store successfully are complete prior to launch, solving creatively to get them done as needed.
• Flexibility and Travel:  Expect up to 75% travel to support retail partners during critical phases of pilot,  launch and implementation of processes. Flexibility will be essential as you work on-site to understand operations, provide direct support, and ensure successful deployments.

About You

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 2+ years of experience launching and/or operating retail stores, fulfillment centers, warehouses, or similar (grocery, ecommerce, retail, or similar related experience preferred).
• Experience in process improvements within grocery or retail environments.
• Strong Communication Skills: Ability to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, from store associates to corporate leaders. You clearly convey on-site activities and insights to internal teams, ensuring alignment and smooth operations. 
• Flexible and resourceful: you know the perfect solution may not be immediately available, but you are energized by finding short-term answers and building towards sustainable long-term solutions. 
• Positive and energetic attitude: Capable of thriving in demanding environments; even the most demanding stakeholders can’t get you down, you can keep a smile and a hard-working attitude through the most demanding moments. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experienced in G Suite, MS Office, SQL strongly preferred.
• Experience in e-commerce or grocery. 
• Familiarity with logistics and retail technology.
• Understanding of omni-channel retail strategies.