Careers

Mission Statement

We launch undiscovered products and help them succeed; we call them Grommets. Grommets aren't just things. Grommets are products with a purpose invented by people with stories. Buy differently.

The Grommet is a product launch platform. This means we find unique, undiscovered products and help them succeed. Our goal is to level the playing field so the best companies can win. Until The Grommet came along in 2008, that was simply not always the case. We have attracted a powerful community of Makers, Retailers and Consumers whose enthusiasm for suggesting, sharing, and buying Grommets ensures the survival and growth of the ground-breaking companies behind them. We are rooted in the philosophy of Citizen Commerce™ whereby regular people form the consumer experience by suggesting products that reflect their values and interests.

In the summer of 2014 we launched a new Wholesale Platform at the White House Maker Faire to connect these independent Makers with Main Street Retailers, supporting both and ensuring their success. Our end goal is that within five years 10% of all products flowing through U.S. retail will be originating from independent small-scale Makers, creating vibrant jobs and innovative products in every corner of our country.

Our team is composed of creative and driven individuals with unique vision who are building a disruptive product launch platform with no direct competitors. We have blue chip investors, including Rakuten, and are in high-growth mode.

We're seeking high-energy players who are eager to contribute to the growth of our company and to share in its success. These are high-potential positions on the Grommet's team with exposure and the opportunity to reach into all areas of this exciting company. Our team is growing, and these hires will have the opportunity to make a deep and immediate impact on our business.

Please submit your resume and a one page COVER LETTER to [email protected], putting the job position in the subject line. Resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed. In your cover letter, please address the following:

1. Why you are good fit for this position?
2. What your ideal career path is over the next few years?
3. Why you are suited to work in a start up?

Open Positions:

Staff Accountant

The Grommet is seeking a staff accountant to be responsible for the daily bookkeeping operations, as well as processing credits, preparing sales tax returns, and other projects as needed. This person will report to the Senior Accountant. This position will start training in mid-April with our current Staff Accountant.

Core responsibilities:

• Review incoming invoices and internal expense reports for accuracy and input into QuickBooks; investigate and reconcile any discrepancies as needed
• Correspond with vendors via email and telephone and respond to inquiries
• Process product returns and credit memos
• Prepare weekly A/P checks and ACH payments
• Reconcile cash and credit card accounts on a weekly basis
• Record cash receipts in QuickBooks and prepare bank deposits
• Assist in the month end close
• Prepare monthly financial statements
• Assist the Senior Accountant and VP of Finance and Operations with researching new accounting systems, improving processes and researching accounting and finance rules as needed
• Provide general administrative support including ordering and maintaining office supplies, event support, and answering general accounting questions for team members

Desired Skills and Experience:

• 1+ years of bookkeeping preferred; entry level welcome
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel & Google mail
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work well independently, as well as in teams
• Experience with Magento or other e-commerce platform is a plus
• Working knowledge of QuickBooks is a plus

Education:

• BA/BS Degree in Accounting (preferred) or equivalent work experience

To Apply for this Position

Please submit your resume and a one page cover letter to [email protected] In the subject line of your email, please put “Staff Accountant,” so that it gets forwarded to the correct team. In your cover letter, please answer the three questions below. Applications without cover letters will not be reviewed.

1. Why: Why would you like to be a part of The Grommet team?
2. Previous Experience: Please detail your level of experience for this role by describing prior roles and responsibilities, or education experience.
3. Role: What is your ideal role within an organization, what are your personal goals, and how is this position going to help you achieve those goals?

Maker Programming Associate

A Maker is an inventor, designer and tinkerer. They are the people and companies who spawn new ideas that inspire and stir the imagination of consumers. In this role you will have direct contact with these Makers on a daily basis. Allowing for a much deeper dive into an ever-growing array of businesses and exposure to unique challenges. Each Associate is thoroughly trained to handle responsibilities and prepared to contribute on cross-functional projects across the organization.

Key Activities:

• Prepare Maker and Product for launch onsite
• Capturing pertinent information and details from Maker
• Setting up all necessary Maker information in The Grommet’s systems
• Guide Makers through The Grommet’s systems and processes
• Manage Order Performance
• Take proactive measures to ensure timely order delivery to our customers
• Investigate the root problems that cause Maker delivery issues
• Inventory Planning
• Forecast product needs with Discovery Managers for new launches
• Maintain catalog of existing Grommets
• Sales Performance
• Monitor monthly and quarterly sales/order performance benchmarks for makers with Manager
• Work with Discovery managers to optimize on site product offering
• Manage inbound Maker support inquiries

Desired Skills and Experience

• Bachelors degree in a business related field
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Exceptional time and project management skills
• Ability to think fast and provide creative solutions
• Analytical skills and experience with excel

NEXT STEPS

Please submit your resume and a one page cover letter to [email protected], putting the job position in the subject line. Resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed. In your cover letter, please address the following:

1. Why you are good fit for this position?
2. What your ideal career path is over the next few years?
3. Why you are suited to work in a start up?

Customer Experience Team Specialist - Full Time

You were born to crush tickets. You love talking to people on the phone and online, and the idea of helping someone gives you a warm fuzzy feeling. You are detail oriented and have a “get stuff done” attitude. You are a multitasking ninja who learns fast and types even faster. In addition to being a ninja, you are also a tech savvy sorcerer, if that’s not too much to ask.

• Email and Live Chat Telephone Customer Support: You will handle incoming inquiries from our customers. There are various reasons why they reach out to us: to check order status, to ask about our products, to initiate a return, etc. You will often need to look into a number of computer systems to sleuth the situation, a la Nancy Drew.
• Hours per Week: This is a 40 hour a week position, paid hourly. These hours will be distributed throughout the day and night (from 9am -9pm) and on weekends. You must be open to working nights and weekends, and occasionally some paid overtime.
• Holidays: As an e-commerce company, holiday sales are kind of a big deal. We have federal holidays off, but you will be expected to work the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday), and some of Christmas Eve.
• Where: We are located just outside bustling Davis Square. The Davis T stop is a jaunty 5 minute walk away. Buses run along Mass Ave, which is very close.
• Prior Customer Support Team Experience: This is a requirement.
• Comfort With Technology: Much of the job is centered on being on a computer, so you must feel very comfortable with technology. This goes very far beyond Microsoft Word and Facebook! Our systems are extremely sophisticated. You must be able to demonstrate past working experience with complex computer systems of some sort. And you must be proficient in Excel, Gmail, GChat, and Google Docs. You will basically be a ‘detective,’ capable of checking multiple computer systems to get the answer to customer questions.
• Communication Skills: You must have strong writing & communication skills. You must feel very comfortable on the telephone, as a good percentage of the work will be done on the phone. Inquiry volume can be high so you must remain cool as a cucumber under pressure.
• Work Environment: We are a hot, growing, 50-person e-commerce company. Our office is a beautifully crafted modern-rustic oasis. You will love it here. We have free coffee and snacks!
• Fun and Fast Paced: You must be comfortable with a very fast paced environment. It's a startup, you know the deal. Our team is composed of creative and driven individuals with unique vision who are building a disruptive product launch platform with no direct competitors. We have a great team of people who enjoy working here and who are dedicated to making The Grommet a success.
• Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Medical and dental benefits offered. Transportation reimbursement up to $40/mo.
• Deep Discounts: We offer deep discounts on hundreds of Grommets that are in our catalog. Perfect for gift giving.

NEXT STEPS

Please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] In your cover letter, please answer the two questions below. Applications without cover letters will not be reviewed.

1. Why: Why would you like to be a part of The Grommet team?
2. Computer Experience: Please detail your level of computer experience by listing software applications that you are very familiar with and very comfortable with. We are particularly interested in ticketing systems, web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and IE), Excel, Word, Google Docs Spreadsheets, and Google Doc word processing.

Digital Media Intern:

We are seeking an intern to assist The Grommet Media Team to create custom videos that showcase our Grommet products and Makers while illuminating their stories. You will gain a deeper understanding of our Product Launch Platform and work closely with our Video Producers while learning how a fast paced, cutting edge media team operates. We offer interesting work and a paid internship, 16 hours per week.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain media server, archive architecture and procedures
• Create rough cuts from studio footage
• Assess and organize visual content for video production
• Assist with video editing and asset creation

Skills & Qualifications:

• Proficient Final Cut Pro editor with an interest in authentic storytelling
• Familiarity with video capture technology ­ HDSLR, Sony HD cameras, stills and audio
• Competency with Adobe Creative Suite
• Work well in a fast paced team environment with a variety of people