Digital Authentication Associate

At GOAT Group, our Authentication Operations team plays a critical role in educating, training, and supporting authenticators in both physical and digital operations. Partnering with operations and retail leaders, the team ensures best-in-class authenticators by providing the tools and training needed to verify every product’s accuracy and authenticity.

Responsibilities

• Review and authenticate sneaker listings before they are available for sale.
• Remove unsafe listings or those that do not meet marketplace standards.
• Ensure listings are accurately described (size, condition, accessories, colorway, release information) and categorized correctly.
• Identify inconsistencies, manipulated photos, or inaccurate product details during the authentication process.
• Respond to community and marketing requests for additional item moderation.
• Review authentication defect reports to understand the nature of inauthentic items that passed through the process and support continuous improvement efforts.
• Stay up to date on sneaker authentication methods, release trends, and evolving counterfeit techniques.
• Attend training or mentorship sessions with team leads to increase sneaker and authentication knowledge.
• Host training or mentorship sessions to contribute to team learning and development.
• Assist in building and improving authentication resources, guides, and hard checkpoints.
• Understand how authentication work affects defect rate and metrics for the sneaker authentication team overall.
• Recognize how authentication volume impacts SLA and operational metrics for the team.
• Support process improvement initiatives focused on consistency, quality, and efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge and interest in sneakers, sneaker culture, and footwear trends.
• Specific interest in sneaker authentication, release history, and counterfeit detection.
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly with proven independent problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and consistency in decision-making.
• Enthusiasm for Grailed and/or experience as a power user of the Grailed platform.
• Impeccable judgment when handling sensitive, non-public data and information.
• Alignment with Grailed Values: Ownership, Empathetic Approach, Continuous Improvement, Solutions Focus, and Community Driven.
• Work eligibility in the applicable region.
• Background knowledge about sneakers and footwear; expertise is essential.
• Availability to work weekends and holidays (as scheduled).
• Availability to work 20–30 hours per week.
• Availability to attend team meetings and collaborate frequently.

Sneaker Knowledge

Familiarity with various sneaker brands and categories, including but not limited to:

• Nike
• Jordan Brand
• Adidas / Yeezy
• New Balance
• ASICS
• Converse
• Vans
• Salomon
• HOKA
• Designer sneakers and collaborative releases

Performance Metrics

• Accuracy and efficiency in authenticating sneaker listings.
• Consistency in identifying authentic and inauthentic items.
• Contribution to team knowledge sharing and process improvement initiatives.

Pay

Hiring range: $21–$21 USD per hour, plus benefits (401K, paid time off, dental, medical, vision, disability, and life insurance options). Starting pay is determined based on factors including primary work location, role/level, skills, experience, market demands, and internal parity.