Expansions Program Manager

Overview

Instacart’s Expansions team brings every new retailer live on our platform and enables new products and services that enhance the consumer experience. We work cross-functionally across Business Development, Product & Engineering, and Operations to build scalable systems and processes that power seamless retailer enablement. We’re looking for a Program Manager to own the end-to-end execution of strategic retailer launches across grocery and other retail verticals.

In this role, you will lead our highest-complexity launches — from scoping and configuration through go-live and post-launch stabilization — across both delivery and pickup fulfillment models. You will drive cross-functional alignment to ensure zero-defect launches while proactively identifying opportunities to improve how we launch at scale.

You’ll join a high-impact, high-performing team that values ownership, scalability, and creative problem-solving. We’re an AI-forward team that actively integrates AI tools into our day-to-day workflows to move faster, reduce manual effort, and focus our energy on the judgment calls that matter most. If you thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and enjoy building systems that scale, this role offers the opportunity to drive meaningful impact across Instacart’s operations.

About the Job 

• Lead end-to-end enablement and management of strategic retailer launches across grocery and other retail verticals, ensuring zero-defect launches from scoping through post-launch stabilization.
• Own the launch and configuration of fulfillment models across delivery and pickup, serving as a subject matter expert on platform setup, service options, and fulfillment configurations.
• Proactively identify inefficiencies in launch processes and drive cross-functional solutions. Develop and maintain SOPs, tooling adoption strategies, and escalation frameworks that reduce time-to-launch.
• Partner with Engineering, Product, Business Development, and Operations teams to drive alignment on configurations, tooling requirements, and launch readiness.
• Leverage AI tools to accelerate research, analysis, documentation, and process design. Identify opportunities to integrate AI into team workflows and champion adoption across the broader organization.
• Provide structured, timely status updates on active launches. Surface risks, blockers, and bandwidth constraints early and synthesize learnings to share best practices with the broader team.
• Monitor launched retailers for configuration issues and escalations, owning the resolution path and driving cross-functional alignment to close gaps.

About You

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in consulting, strategy & operations, program management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders and competing timelines.
• Strong ownership mentality — you identify what needs to happen and drive it forward without waiting for direction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complexity into clear, actionable updates.
• Comfort working with data and technical systems — you can navigate configurations, debug issues, and partner effectively with technical teams.
• Proficiency with AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot) and a demonstrated ability to integrate them into day-to-day workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in SQL or equivalent data analysis tools, or willingness to learn. 
• Experience working in high-growth or fast-paced environments, such as technology or e-commerce.