Application Guide

How to Apply for Category Manager - Home & Garden, Sports, and Kids (f/m/x) - remote

at refurbed

🏢 About refurbed

refurbed is Europe’s fastest-growing refurbished marketplace, active in 23 countries with over €2B in GMV and profitable growth. As a remote-first company recognized as a Top DACH Employer, it offers full autonomy and a mission-driven culture focused on making sustainable consumption the easy choice. Working here means directly contributing to reducing CO₂ emissions while scaling a high-performance, impact-oriented business.

About This Role

As Category Manager for Home & Garden, Sports, and Kids, you will own the growth strategy for refurbed’s newest categories, leveraging data to identify opportunities across supply, demand, and on-site experience. You’ll report to the Category Management Team Lead and work closely with the Head of New Categories, ensuring a competitive and attractive offering for customers across Europe. This role is pivotal in scaling new verticals and unlocking additional revenue streams for the marketplace.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start by analyzing sales data to identify underperforming SKUs and opportunities for new supplier partnerships. Later, you’ll collaborate with marketing to optimize on-site merchandising for the Kids category, then join a call with the Head of New Categories to align on quarterly growth targets. The day ends with you negotiating a deal with a new supplier to expand the Sports assortment.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for refurbed

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who refurbed Is Looking For

  • 3+ years of experience in category management, buying, or marketplace strategy, ideally in e-commerce or refurbished/recommerce sectors.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive decisions on pricing, assortment, and promotional strategies.
  • Proven track record of scaling product categories, including supplier negotiation and demand generation.
  • Self-starter comfortable in a remote-first, fast-paced environment, with full ownership of location and outcomes.

📝 Tips for Applying to refurbed

1

Highlight any experience with new category launches or scaling emerging product lines, especially in marketplaces.

2

Demonstrate familiarity with the refurbished or circular economy space; mention why sustainable commerce excites you.

3

Use metrics to quantify your impact in previous roles (e.g., GMV growth, supplier onboarding, conversion improvements).

4

Tailor your CV to show expertise in at least one of the three categories: Home & Garden, Sports, or Kids.

5

Emphasize your ability to work autonomously and thrive in a remote-first, high-performance culture.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience in scaling categories from early-stage to growth, with concrete examples.', 'How you use data to identify supply and demand opportunities and optimize on-site experience.', 'Your passion for sustainability and how you align with refurbed’s mission to make refurbished products mainstream.', 'Your ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence stakeholders in a remote-first setup.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Understand refurbed’s business model, including how it sources refurbished products and its value proposition to customers.
  • → Explore the current online offerings in Home & Garden, Sports, and Kids on refurbed’s platform and compare with competitors.
  • → Research the refurbished market trends in Europe, including regulations and consumer adoption rates.
  • → Look into refurbed’s company culture and values, especially around remote work and high-performance teams.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you assess the current market for refurbished Home & Garden, Sports, and Kids products in Europe?
2 Describe a time you used data to identify a new category opportunity and executed a strategy to capture it.
3 What metrics would you prioritize to measure success in these new categories, and why?
4 How would you approach supplier negotiations to ensure competitive pricing and healthy margins?
5 Given refurbed’s remote-first culture, how do you maintain high performance and collaboration?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on traditional retail category management without addressing marketplace dynamics or refurbished specifics.
  • Neglecting to show data-driven decision-making or measurable outcomes in past roles.
  • Underestimating the importance of remote work self-discipline and autonomy in your application.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to refurbed!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →