About Caper

Caper (跃氪) is a pioneering company in retail automation solutions and smart hardware technologies under Instacart, a North American NASDAQ-listed company. Its principal product, the AI-based Smart Shopping Cart, is ranked among the top 2 in the industry and has served the top 3 grocery organizations in North America.

Its parent company, Instacart, is a renowned online fresh food delivery platform internationally. Over the past decade, it has served more than 600 retail brands including Walmart and Costco across North America, covering over 55,000 physical supermarkets and convenience stores.

Welcome to visit our official website: www.caper.ai

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Overview

We’re seeking a Senior Supply Chain Manager to lead global sourcing, supplier strategy, and manufacturing operations for the Caper Cart. A part of Instacart’s Connected Stores initiative, we help retailers around the world create seamless omni-channel shopping experiences by powering intelligent devices like the Caper Cart—an AI-driven smart cart that combines computer vision, IoT, and advanced interfaces to enable a frictionless, grab-and-go shopping journey. We thrive on collaboration, tackling challenges at the intersection of hardware, software, and artificial intelligence. You’ll own the development of a resilient, cost-efficient supply base across Asia and beyond, expanding into regions like the U.S., Mexico, and India.

Working closely with engineering, operations, compliance, and finance, you’ll drive cost reductions, improve quality, and scale our manufacturing footprint. As a key strategic leader, you’ll advise the executive team on logistics, procurement, and operational scalability as we grow.

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About the job (what are you going to do)

Supply Chain Strategy & Execution

1.Develop and execute end-to-end supply chain strategies aligned with company goals, with a strong focus on scalability, cost optimization, and risk mitigation.

2.Lead sourcing, procurement, planning, logistics, and fulfillment operations.

3.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.

4.Identify, evaluate, and secure partnerships with top-tier suppliers and OEMs—especially in Asia—with an eye toward strategic diversification.

Manufacturing & Supplier Management

1.Recommend optimal manufacturing locations by assessing geopolitical risk, tariffs, logistics, and supply base maturity.

2.Build and maintain a diversified and resilient manufacturing footprint, including leading due diligence for regional expansion or production shifts.

3.Lead supplier negotiations, RFQs, and contract structuring; oversee performance tracking, quality audits, scorecards, and escalation paths.

4.Collaborate with engineering to source components that meet both technical and regulatory requirements, and drive BOM cost reductions without compromising compliance or performance.

Cross-functional Operations Leadership

1.Serve as a strategic bridge across hardware engineering, finance, compliance, logistics, and customer experience to ensure alignment on cost, quality, and delivery.

2.Drive initiatives to improve inventory turns, reduce COGS, and enhance supplier performance and product quality.

3.Proactively monitor supply chain risks including regulatory changes, market pricing volatility, and geopolitical events.

Team & Communication Enablement

1.Translate complex supply chain strategies into clear, actionable plans for both internal and external stakeholders.

2.Foster cross-functional alignment and accountability to hit operational milestones.

3.Support hiring and development within the supply chain team, contributing to a high-performance and execution-oriented culture.

About You

Minimum Qualifications

1.10 + years of supply chain, sourcing, or manufacturing operations experience—ideally in consumer hardware, robotics, or IoT.

2.Deep knowledge of component sourcing and OEM partnerships in Asia, plus experience navigating alternative geographies.

3.Track record of building global supply chains from the ground up

Strong understanding of BOM cost structure, negotiations, and supplier performance management.

4.Experience setting up or transitioning manufacturing lines or operations in new regions.

5.Technical fluency to collaborate effectively with engineers and understand component-level tradeoffs.

6.Excellent negotiation, project management, and cross-functional communication skills.

7.Comfort working in a fast-paced startup environment where ownership matters.

8.Professional working proficiency in Mandarin.

Preferred Qualifications

1.Experience with compliance-heavy hardware products (e.g. CE, FCC, UL, food-safe materials).

2.Prior experience with setting up or managing the U.S.-based or nearshore manufacturing.

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We offer a competitive salary package

At Caper, the total compensation consists of base salary and equity in the form of RSUs (Restricted Stock Units). The job description shows only the base salary component, but we will additionally grant RSUs as a part of our total rewards program (inquiries are welcome).

Caper has our own salary philosophy. The final salary of an offer will have a direct connection with the candidate's experience and skill level presented during the interview.

What benefits we aim to provide:

New employees can enjoy 10 days of paid annual leave, 10 days of paid sick leave, and male employees will have an additional 4 weeks of paid paternity leave.

Annual learning fund, annual personal living fund, annual team building activities, health & medical coverage, and more.

Who should join us!

We are looking for driven individuals who thrive in a fast-paced engineering/product environment, are passionate about product and improving team performance, and feel comfortable pushing the limits of what is possible.

We welcome every individual who is direct and open to facilitate our adorable no-political culture.

Every day we solve incredibly complex problems to create an experience for our users that is absolutely magical. Join us!