About The Role
The Senior Watch Technical Expert at The RealReal supports the Watch department through the development, application, and teaching of authentication and pricing methodology, compiling and organizing research and training materials. The Watch Technical Expert will establish authentication standards for the department through content creation, training, and assessments (QC as well as written assessments).
You are an expert in your field who identifies opportunities and strives for business success. You have deep industry knowledge of iconic 20th and 21st century fine luxury watch brands, and experience with secondary market pricing principles and application. This role will report to the Associate Director, Specialist Categories. Key partners include: Fine Jewelry & Watch Production, Gemology Experts, Jewelry Experts Client Services, and our Luxury Consignment Offices.
What You Get To Do Every Day
- Develop standards and methodologies, implement and apply through creation of reference materials and hands on training for authentication and LCO teams.
- Provide leadership and training to watchmakers, specialists and Valuation Managers tasked with acceptance, pricing and repair
- Coordinate with Inbound Operations Directors and FJW Managers to ensure merchandising standards are adhered to consistently, accurately, and efficiently throughout the inbound pipeline
- Support Brick-and-Mortar expert teams by providing guidance and education
- Demonstrate the highest level of expertise across authentication & pricing methodology, specific brand mastery (past & current)
- Identify high risk accounts and work with Consignor Relations to sequester and freeze inventory as needed.
- Identify trends in counterfeits - designers and styles - create authentication processes and methodology to counter
- Maintain cross category partnership with Merchandising team in relation to Watch Authentication and Acceptance Standards
- Implement QC processes for high risk items. Report on metrics, identify and escalate areas of opportunities to Directors. Partner with L&D team to create trainings to support findings
- Improve how we implement learnings and strive toward consistent consignor & customer experience
- Advanced technical expertise, including brand, model, movement and material identification, secondary market pricing principles and estimation know-how and proficiency
- Promote quality expectations in partnership with Production management; ensure standards and adherence to SOPs through hands-on-training, routine assessments and audits
- Provide solutions in response to obstacles and identify opportunities for efficiencies
- Create, implement and manage all standards for High Governance Items in partnership with AP team
- Develop training and onboarding program, structured for operation and authenticity excellence
- Represent the company and department at industry events and workshops, as needed
What You Bring To The Role
Minimum Requirements:
- 15+ years watch industry experience required;
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
- Advanced knowledge of watch history, design, manufacturing and secondary market; concentration in 20th-21st century iconic watchmaking brands preferred
- Advanced technical expertise, including gemological and metals identification, secondary market pricing principles and estimation know-how and proficiency
- Expert knowledge of market and competitive landscape
- Problem solving skills with a strong commitment to action
- The capability to handle ambiguity and be flexible to changing needs and priorities
- Thorough understanding of international hallmarking systems
- The ability to prioritize multiple time-sensitive tasks and/or escalate issues
- Work effectively and collaboratively in teams to meet shared goals and deadlines, and foster cross-functional partnerships
- Demonstrated ability to self start, maximize productivity, and take initiative
- Attention to detail, strong organizational and communication skills, geared towards large groups
- Solid analytical skills
- Prioritizes based on business need and displays orientation to profitability
Compensation, Benefits, + Perks
- $50 in monthly food credits to apply to snacks and meals that are available for purchase on site
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- 401K with Company Match
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- 9 Paid Company Holidays
- Flexible Time Off (With Manager Approval)
- State of the art, climate-controlled warehouse facility
- Find out more about our Benefits here.
The expected salary range for this role is $87,312.00-$105,000.00. To determine starting pay we carefully consider a variety of factors, including primary work location and an evaluation of a candidate's skills, experience, market demands, and internal parity. Additionally, salary is just one component of TRR's total rewards package. Depending on role, employees may also be eligible for a bonus program, incentive pay and benefits.
The RealReal is the world's largest online marketplace for authenticated, resale luxury goods, with 37 million members. With a rigorous authentication process overseen by experts, The RealReal provides a safe and reliable platform for consumers to buy and sell their luxury items. We have hundreds of in-house gemologists, horologists, and brand authenticators who inspect thousands of items each day. As a sustainable company, we give new life to pieces by thousands of brands across numerous categories-including women's and men's fashion, fine jewelry and watches, art, and home-in support of the circular economy. We make selling effortless with free virtual appointments, in-home pickup, drop-off, and direct shipping. We handle all of the work for consignors, including authenticating, using AI and machine learning to determine optimal pricing, photographing and listing their items, as well as shipping and customer service.
The RealReal is committed to providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or Veteran status. We will consider qualified applicants for a position regardless of arrest or conviction records. At TRR, People Come First. That's why diversity and inclusion are vital to our priorities as an equal opportunity employer. You can read about our Diversity Equity and Inclusion program here.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
