Category Associate, New Grad Business Program

About the Role

The Category Associate role is built for individuals who want to learn how a fast-growing marketplace operates by owning real relationships and business outcomes from day one.

• Years 1–2: Build foundational skills across core functions: seller outreach and onboarding, relationship management, marketing, and data analytics. You will learn how to build a successful business at Whatnot by owning a high-growth category on the Launch team.
• After 2 years: Specialization will occur based on your interests and business needs, leading to a position in a mature category or function where you will develop expertise and build a path toward future leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Become the go-to expert on your assigned category, understanding seller/buyer dynamics, community channels, influencers, and product nuances.
• Represent Whatnot to the community of sellers and buyers.
• Source and outreach to potential sellers, persuading them to join and grow their business on Whatnot using social media, outbound channels, and in-person events.
• Partner with top sellers and strategic partners to foster business growth on Whatnot.
• Build and execute seller growth plans to drive category expansion.
• Spearhead marketing initiatives, including influencer partnerships, to enhance brand awareness and attract more buyers.
• Use basic data analytics skills (SQL) to derive insights and improve process efficiency.
• Utilize key data points to assess category growth, success, and areas for improvement, driving continuous iteration.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• SQL

Qualifications

• Graduating by Summer 2027.
• Passion for Whatnot's mission, a deep understanding of community needs, and a relentless drive to improve user experiences.
• Internship experience in a fast-paced, client-facing role with a track record of working quickly and iteratively.
• Ability to work in an ambiguous environment with limited guidance, demonstrating scrappiness and flexibility.
• Strong problem-solving skills and project management abilities, with the capacity to fully own strategy and execution in an emerging marketplace.
• Business acumen and strong analytical skills, with the ability to understand and manipulate data for insights and action.
• Enthusiasm for building a broad skill set before specializing.
• Must live within commuting distance of one of the following hubs: New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles.