gopuff was founded in 2013 by two then-sophomores at Drexel University, Yakir Gola and Rafael Ilishayev, who bonded over shared immigrant backgrounds and experience working in family businesses. The company began modestly, operating out of the trunk of a Plymouth Voyager, delivering late-night convenience items to college students in Philadelphia, initially specializing in hookah supplies before expanding to snacks and household essentials. This early focus on owning and controlling inventory was key to their future success. After securing initial funding rounds, gopuff rapidly expanded its footprint, establishing a network of micro-fulfillment centers across the United States. Through strategic acquisitions, such as BevMo! (alcohol retail chain) and Fancy (UK-based delivery), gopuff evolved into a global leader in the quick commerce (q-commerce) sector, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What They Do
gopuff operates a vertically integrated, inventory-based delivery model that is central to its success in the q-commerce space. Unlike marketplace aggregators, gopuff is a full-stack retailer: it buys products directly from suppliers, owns the inventory, and stores roughly 3,000 items in a network of proprietary, local Micro-Fulfillment Centers (MFCs), or “dark stores,” which are closed to the public and optimized purely for fast dispatch. This integrated control allows the company to promise and execute delivery of convenience items, groceries, alcohol, and essentials in minutes, often 15 to 30 minutes. Revenue is generated through multiple streams: product markups (capturing the full retail margin), delivery and service fees, Gopuff Fam subscription revenue, and advertising fees paid by brands for premium product placement on the app.
Types of Roles They Hire For
Due to its unique vertically integrated supply chain, gopuff’s hiring is heavily concentrated in logistics, warehouse operations, and technology development.
High-volume operational roles are essential for maintaining speed and efficiency:
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Micro-Fulfillment Center (MFC) Staff: Retail Sales Associates, Operations Associates, and Retail Key Holders. These employees manage inventory, pick and pack orders quickly, and ensure the MFC runs smoothly.
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Delivery & Logistics: Delivery Drivers/Partners who handle the final mile to the customer’s doorstep.
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Corporate & Tech: A growing staff at its Philadelphia headquarters specializing in Software Engineering, Data Science, Supply Chain Management, Marketing, and Finance to continually optimize the complex, real-time logistics required by the q-commerce model.
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