Associate Manager, Merchant Strategy & Operations

About the Role

The Merchant Profitability Team's mission is directly aligned with DoorDash's broader objective of empowering and growing local economies. By focusing on merchant profitability, the team contributes to the sustainability and success of restaurants and other merchants on the platform. The role of the Associate Manager is crucial in this context, as it involves not only managing supply chain operations but also identifying opportunities for growth and improvement that can have a direct impact on merchants' bottom line.

In terms of team context, the Associate Manager will work closely with various stakeholders, including Sales, Finance, Legal, Product, and Engineering teams, to ensure a cohesive approach to supply chain management and merchant profitability. This collaborative environment requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to influence both internal stakeholders and external partners.

What You Will Do

• Own and scale a critical pillar of a new business focused on reducing restaurants' costs, with a focus on supply chain efficiency and profitability.
• Lead the end-to-end supply chain function, including vendor management, demand forecasting, inventory planning, and logistics execution.
• Develop and manage relationships with key external partners, including suppliers and third-party logistics providers, to ensure high in-stock rates and strong unit economics.
• Partner internally with stakeholders to align supply with demand and enable growth, driving strategic decision-making through data analysis and operational planning.
• Build and operate a reliable and cost-efficient supply chain, ensuring consistent delivery of high in-stock rates while optimizing for cost, speed, and working capital.
• Drive strategic decision-making through data, developing forecasts and operational plans, evaluating tradeoffs, and continuously improving supply chain performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to shape the business, working closely with Sales, Finance, Product, and Engineering teams to ensure alignment and effective supply chain management.
• Build from first principles, creating processes, tools, and playbooks to scale a new and evolving business within DoorDash.
• Manage and analyze large data sets to inform supply chain decisions, using tools like Excel for data manipulation and analysis.

What We Are Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in strategy, business development, operations, technology, banking, consulting, or high-growth or early-stage startups.
• Experience in sourcing, 3PL operations, and inventory & demand planning is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to run analyses and manipulate datasets; SQL experience is strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence both internal stakeholders and external partners.
• A clear understanding of business acumen, including how supply chain decisions impact cost, margin, and customer experience.
• A strong sense of ownership and responsibility, with the ability to take initiative and solve problems in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with AI tools to improve productivity, decision-making, and problem-solving, with a beginner's mindset and curiosity about evolving technologies.
• A Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.

Nice to Have

• Direct experience in the food delivery or restaurant industry, with an understanding of the complexities and challenges of supply chain management in this sector.
• Knowledge of logistics and supply chain management best practices, with experience in implementing process improvements and efficiency enhancements.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Certification in supply chain management or a related field, demonstrating a commitment to professional development and expertise.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary and benefits package, with opportunities for professional growth and development within DoorDash.
• Flexible and remote work arrangements, allowing for a healthy work-life balance and the ability to work from anywhere.
• Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools, including AI and data analytics platforms, to support supply chain management and decision-making.
• Opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Finance, Product, and Engineering.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment, with a strong focus on employee well-being and satisfaction.
• Professional development opportunities, including training and education programs, to support career growth and advancement.
• Recognition and reward programs, acknowledging and rewarding outstanding performance and contributions to the team.

• Develop a strong understanding of supply chain management principles and best practices, with a focus on cost efficiency and profitability.
• Highlight your experience with data analysis and manipulation tools, such as Excel and SQL, to demonstrate your ability to drive data-driven decision-making.
• Emphasize your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Finance, Product, and Engineering, to drive alignment and effective supply chain management.
• Showcase your understanding of business acumen, including how supply chain decisions impact cost, margin, and customer experience, to demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Prepare to discuss your experience with AI tools and technologies, and how you have applied them to improve productivity, decision-making, and problem-solving in previous roles.
• Be ready to provide specific examples of your achievements in supply chain management, including process improvements, efficiency enhancements, and cost savings.
• Demonstrate your ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility, and a focus on delivering results and driving business growth.