Innovation Lab Manager - Refurbishment Quality UK
Hi, we’re Back Market.
We’re here to help make tech reliable, affordable, and better than new. We're a global marketplace for refurbished devices, helping lower our collective environmental impact by providing trustworthy, affordable tech with 92% less carbon emissions than new.
Yep, you read that right. Turns out refurbished tech is way better for the planet than new. In fact, With every device purchased on Back Market, our positive impact on the planet grows. From our Customer Care representatives to our software engineer, every individual at Back Market cuts the planet — and consumers — a break. Our mission is simple: to do more with what we already have.
Are you ready to join us?
You'll be the solo UK operator of our brand new London Innovation Lab - part quality detective, part tech evangelist, part public face of Back Market UK.
Think: disassembling phones live on TV, auditing sellers on-site, and helping shape what quality refurbishment looks like at scale.
📍 London (Waterloo Station) | Permanent contract | 1 remote day/week
YOUR MISSION (IF YOU ACCEPT IT) 🥇
What you'll work on:
Run weekly mystery orders: Order, inspect, and disassemble devices end-to-end (packaging, battery, accessories) to audit seller quality and ensure compliance with Back Market standards
Own all UK media and public outreach - Lead press interviews, TV appearances, influencer workshops, and live device demonstrations. You'll be the UK equivalent of our France and US lab experts who appear on major media outlets
Operate and architect the Innovation Lab - Host press conferences, investor roadshows, and client discovery workshops that showcase Back Market's leadership in refurbishment technology
Conduct on-site seller audits - Visit UK factories to collect insights, identify quality issues, and translate findings into actionable improvement plans for Seller Success Managers
Advise sellers on optimization - Build a knowledge network and curate a catalog of components, machines, and software at negotiated prices to help sellers achieve refurbishment excellence
Solve cross-functional quality challenges - Work with Care, Legal, Marketing, and SSMs to develop solutions (test protocols, FAQs, software) for complex merchant and customer issues
Reality check: The job is 70% quality control, 20% public-facing work, and 10% creative problem-solving - so you need to love both the meticulous work AND the spotlight.
YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE IF: ⭐
Must-haves:
You have 5+ years of experience in the electronic repair and maintenance industry
You have deep knowledge of tools, diagnostic software, and technical procedures for refurbishing electronic products
You are a confident public speaker who can disassemble a phone live on camera, lead media interviews in English, and present to investors - this isn't optional, it's 20% of the role and growing
You are analytically sharp - you can identify root causes and turn findings into concrete recommendations
You are rigorous and organized - managing mystery order tracking, refunds, and reporting is part of the daily routine
You are passionate about technology, sustainability, and the circular economy
Nice-to-haves:
You have experience working in certified Apple repair centers or as an Apple Genius Bar technician
You have a background specifically in the refurbishment industry
You are familiar with semi-automated testing software or device diagnostic tools
You have previous media or public speaking experience (YouTube, podcasts, tech events)
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN US? ✌🏼
At Back Market, we're committed to hiring and supporting diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives : it's one of the reasons we're such a high-scoring certified B Corp company (93.2).
No matter your role and seniority level, you'll enjoy impact-driven work with hands-on career development in an innovative, driven, and fast-paced environment : with benefits to match, like:
A mission-driven work environment where your day-to-day makes an impact on the planet. Seriously.
Hybrid work environment, with 1 remote day per week and 1 remote work week per quarter
Employee Resource Groups, including mentorship programs, comprehensive accessibility policies, and cultural competency training
At Back Market, we strive to create a workplace that embodies the world we're trying to change. We've embedded our diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into our DNA : from dedicated staff to employee resource groups to our company values.
We know that the perfect background for a role doesn't mean the perfect fit : we encourage you to apply even if you feel you may not tick every box.
If reasonable accommodations are needed for the interview process, please do not hesitate to discuss this with the Talent Acquisition Team.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN US ? ✌🏼
At Back Market, we’re committed to hiring and supporting diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives — it’s one of the reasons we’re such a high-scoring certified B Corp company (93.2).
No matter your role and seniority level, you’ll enjoy impact-driven work with hands-on career development in an innovative, driven, and fast-paced environment — with benefits to match, like:
- A mission driven work environment where your day to day makes an impact on the planet. Seriously.
- Hybrid work environment, with 2 remote days a week and 1 remote work week per quarter, plus 3 flex days.
- Employee Resource Groups, including mentorship programs, comprehensive accessibility policies, and cultural competency training.
At Back Market, we strive to create a workplace that embodies the world we’re trying to change. We’ve embedded our diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into our DNA — from dedicated staff to employee resource groups to our company values.
We know that the perfect background for a role doesn’t mean the perfect fit — we encourage you to apply for a role even if you think you may not have all the qualifications.
If reasonable accommodations are needed for the interview process, please do not hesitate to discuss this with the Talent Acquisition Team.