Business Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Business Designer Company: Bayer Location: Multiple locations across Indonesia (Jakarta, Banten, East Java, Central Java, West Java, North Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Riau, South Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jogja, West Kalimantan, West Sumatra, Lampung) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Innovation & Design Operations / Business Design Date Posted: August 08, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This Business Designer role is pivotal in driving innovation within Bayer's Digital Farming Solutions (DFS) Asia team, operating with a startup-like agility.
• The core focus is on human-centered design to develop new business models, capture new customers, and empower smallholder farmers across Asia through digital products.
• Success in this role requires strong user research, workshop facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills to translate farmer needs into viable digital solutions.
• The Business Designer will contribute to product strategy and development roadmaps, acting as a design champion and mentor within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Business Designer," the responsibilities and company context (Digital Farming Solutions, empowering smallholder farmers) strongly indicate a role that blends product strategy, user experience design, and market innovation, requiring operations-level thinking for business model viability and scalability. The extensive list of locations suggests a distributed team or a role that requires significant travel within Indonesia to engage with diverse farming communities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the human-centered design approach for digital products within Bayer Crop Science's DFS Asia initiatives, ensuring farmer needs are central to development.
• Facilitate design sprints and workshops with diverse groups, including internal teams, external stakeholders, and end-users (smallholder farmers) across various Asian regions.
• Conduct user research (ethnographic, UX research, secondary research) and synthesize findings to define user needs, behavioral patterns, and inform product specifications.
• Develop and articulate value propositions, business models, customer journeys, service specifications, and system maps for new digital farming solutions.
• Collaborate with Venture Leads, Product Owners, and other stakeholders to define product strategy, development roadmaps, and ensure effective internal communication and project realization.
• Act as a design champion, recommending best practices in Business Design methodologies and training junior team members in design thinking.
• Support the contextualization and adaptation of design approaches and specifications for ventures operating in different countries, particularly within the Indonesian archipelago.
• Manage the design research process, drive decision-making, track issues, and assist in resource and schedule estimations for projects.
• Analyze research data to identify meaningful insights and leverage storytelling and public speaking skills to effectively communicate conceptual work and strategic approaches to diverse audiences, including senior stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking, hands-on research, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on "venture building" and "startup environment" suggests a need for adaptability, rapid prototyping, and a focus on market validation, which are key operational considerations for new business initiatives. The direct involvement with "small holder farmers" implies a need for cultural sensitivity and user-centricity in designing scalable solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While specific degree requirements are not listed, a background in Design, Business, Innovation Management, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is typically expected for a Business Designer role.

Experience:

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in Business Design, Service Design, UX Design, Innovation Consulting, or a related field focused on product/business model development.
• Demonstrated experience in working on a broad range of research and innovation-oriented projects, with a portfolio to showcase.
• Proven track record of mentoring and elevating other creative individuals in Business Design thinking and practices.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and managing relationships with high-level clients and internal partners.

Required Skills:

• Business Design & Strategy: Expertise in designing business models, value propositions, and product strategies using human-centered methodologies.
• User Research: Proficiency in conducting and synthesizing various research types, including ethnographic studies, user interviews, journey mapping, and UX research.
• Workshop Facilitation: Ability to design and lead effective design sprints, workshops, and seminars for diverse groups.
• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent written and verbal communication skills (fluency in English), with a strong ability in storytelling and public speaking to articulate ideas and present conceptual work.
• Visual & Interaction Design: Solid competency in visual design principles and interaction design to support design deliverables.
• Agile Methodologies: Knowledge of agile approaches and techniques for project management and product development.
• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Ability to analyze research data, identify key insights, and translate them into actionable design specifications.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong interpersonal skills for effective client and stakeholder engagement.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the agriculture sector or with digital solutions for smallholder farmers.
• Familiarity with digital farming technologies and ecosystems.
• Proficiency in specific design and collaboration tools (e.g., Miro, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.).
• Cross-cultural communication and experience working with distributed teams in the APAC region.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a strong portfolio is critical. Candidates should prepare to showcase projects that demonstrate their process, problem-solving skills, user-centric approach, and the impact of their design solutions. Experience in visual/interaction design, alongside business design, is a strong plus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear design process: Showcase end-to-end project execution from problem definition and user research to ideation, prototyping, and solution implementation.
• Highlight user-centricity: Provide examples of how user needs and insights directly informed design decisions and business model development.
• Showcase innovation and impact: Present case studies of novel business models or digital products designed, with quantifiable results or clear articulation of potential business impact.
• Illustrate collaboration and facilitation: Include examples of workshop facilitation, stakeholder presentations, and how design thinking was disseminated within teams.
• Visual and strategic integration: Ensure the portfolio effectively integrates visual design skills with strategic business thinking.

Process Documentation:

• User Research Synthesis: Examples of how qualitative and quantitative research data were analyzed and synthesized into actionable insights, personas, and journey maps.
• Ideation and Prototyping: Documentation of ideation techniques used, concept development, and the creation of prototypes (wireframes, mockups, interactive prototypes) to test hypotheses.
• Business Model Design: Case studies demonstrating the design of viable business models, value propositions, and go-to-market strategies for new ventures.
• Stakeholder Communication Artifacts: Examples of presentations, reports, or workshop outputs used to communicate design concepts and strategic recommendations to diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should not just be a collection of visual designs, but a narrative that explains the why and how behind each project, emphasizing the business impact and user-centric approach. For this role, demonstrating experience in designing for complex systems or ecosystems (like agriculture) would be highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: IDR 25,000,000 - IDR 45,000,000 per month (approximately USD 1,500 - USD 2,700 per month).
• Methodology: This estimate is based on general market data for experienced Business Designers or Innovation Consultants in Indonesia, considering the specified experience level (5-10 years) and the industry. Bayer, as a large multinational corporation, may offer compensation at the higher end of this range, depending on candidate qualifications and specific location within Indonesia.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to a pension or similar scheme.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences aligned with career growth.
• Employee Assistance Program: Support services for personal and professional well-being.
• Potential for Performance Bonuses: Based on individual and company performance.
• Travel Opportunities: Support for domestic travel to various project sites across Indonesia.

Working Hours:

• Standard office hours are typically 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
• Given the startup and venture-building nature of the DFS Asia team, there may be a need for flexibility to accommodate project deadlines, workshops, and international collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is a general estimate for the Indonesian market. Actual compensation may vary significantly based on Bayer's internal pay scales, the candidate's specific qualifications, and the final negotiation. The role's location across numerous Indonesian cities suggests that benefits related to travel and accommodation might also be part of the package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Life Sciences (Pharmaceuticals, Crop Science) Company Size: Large (Over 100,000 employees globally) Founded: 1863 by Friedrich Bayer and Johann Friedrich Weskott. Bayer AG is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of healthcare and agriculture.

Team Structure:

• The Digital Farming Solutions (DFS) Asia team operates as a fast-growing startup within Bayer Crop Science, focusing on digital innovation.
• The team is likely structured with Venture Leads, Business Designers, Product Managers/Owners, Engineers, and Data Scientists, fostering a collaborative and agile environment.
• This role will report to a Venture Lead or a Senior Business Design Manager, with close collaboration across cross-functional teams and regional stakeholders in Asia.

Methodology:

• The team embraces human-centered design and venture building principles to drive innovation and capture new market segments.
• Emphasis is placed on agile approaches, rapid iteration, and data-driven decision-making to accelerate the development of digital solutions for smallholder farmers.
• Cross-functional collaboration and effective stakeholder management are crucial for success in translating user needs into scalable business models.

Company Website: bayer.com

📝 Enhancement Note: While Bayer is a large, established corporation, the DFS Asia team functions with the dynamism of a startup. This duality means professionals will benefit from the resources and stability of a global leader while also experiencing the agility and innovation focus of a new venture. The "Information Technology" functional area suggests strong ties to technology development and digital transformation within the company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-to-Senior level within the Business Design/Innovation function. It requires significant independent work and the ability to guide and mentor others.

Reporting Structure: The Business Designer will likely report to a Venture Lead or a Manager within the DFS organization, with direct exposure to senior leadership and cross-functional teams involved in venture creation.

Operations Impact: The Business Designer directly influences the success of new digital ventures by ensuring that products are designed around the needs of smallholder farmers and that viable business models are created. Their work has a tangible impact on Bayer's ability to expand its reach, drive revenue growth in new markets, and achieve its mission of empowering farmers.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of Business Design, User Research, or Venture Building.
• Leadership Development: Progress into roles such as Senior Business Designer, Venture Lead, or Product Management, with opportunities to lead teams and manage larger initiatives.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse teams across Bayer's global operations, including R&D, marketing, sales, and IT.
• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in digital agriculture and emerging market challenges.
• Global Mobility: Potential to work on projects or move into roles in other Bayer regions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to blend corporate innovation with startup agility, providing a rich environment for professional growth in a rapidly evolving sector like digital agriculture. The emphasis on "mentoring Junior Business designers" also points towards a potential path into team leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in various major cities across Indonesia, suggesting a modern office environment typical of a large multinational corporation.

Office Location(s): The job posting lists numerous cities across Indonesia, including Jakarta, Tangerang, Serang, Banten, Bandung, Cianjur, Sukabumi, West Java, Surabaya, Mojokerto, East Java, Semarang, Klaten, Central Java, Yogyakarta, Manado, North Sulawesi, Medan, North Sumatra, Pekanbaru, Riau, Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Palembang, South Sumatra, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, and Padang, West Sumatra. This indicates a potential for role-specific location assignments or extensive travel.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices likely feature collaborative zones, meeting rooms, and potentially innovation labs to support design thinking and team interaction.
• Digital Tools: Access to a robust suite of digital collaboration and design tools will be provided to facilitate remote and on-site teamwork.
• Farmer Engagement: The role will necessitate field visits and direct engagement with smallholder farmers, requiring adaptability to diverse working environments.

Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
• Flexibility may be required to accommodate project timelines, workshops, and engagements with stakeholders across different time zones in Asia.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of locations implies that the chosen candidate will be assigned to one of these areas, or the role may involve significant travel across Indonesia to support ventures in different regions. Candidates should clarify their specific work location and any travel expectations during the interview process.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter will likely review applications, focusing on experience, skills, and portfolio relevance.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: An interview with the hiring manager (Aarti Iyer) and potentially other team members to assess technical skills, cultural fit, and understanding of Business Design principles.
• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, detailing specific projects, their design process, and the impact of their work. A practical case study or design challenge may also be assigned.
• Cross-functional/Stakeholder Interview: Potentially an interview with stakeholders from other departments (e.g., Product, Ventures) to evaluate collaboration and communication skills.
• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall suitability for the role and Bayer's innovation agenda.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the outcomes achieved for each project.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (mockups, journey maps, research findings summaries) to illustrate your points.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the value and impact of your design work.
• Tailor to Bayer: Highlight projects that align with Bayer's mission in digital farming and innovation, demonstrating an understanding of their business context.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handled challenges, and your approach to user research and stakeholder management.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the DFS Context: Research Bayer's Digital Farming Solutions, their target markets in Asia, and the challenges faced by smallholder farmers.
• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your approach to problem-solving using design thinking frameworks.
• Workshop Simulation: Prepare to explain how you would structure and facilitate a design workshop for a specific scenario.
• Storytelling: Practice concise and compelling storytelling for your key portfolio projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Emphasize projects where you demonstrated leadership in design, mentored others, or influenced product strategy. For the case study or portfolio presentation, focus on clear communication, structured thinking, and a deep understanding of user needs and business viability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Miro, Mural (for collaboration and workshops).
• User Research Platforms: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, UserTesting.com, Lookback.io, or similar tools for conducting and analyzing research.
• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar tools for managing design sprints and project workflows within an agile framework.
• Presentation Software: PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote for stakeholder presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly an analytics role, understanding data analysis tools and principles is beneficial for synthesizing research findings. Familiarity with business intelligence tools like Tableau or Power BI might be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Basic understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and workflow automation concepts can be helpful for understanding the broader business context, though not a primary requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in collaborative design tools like Miro and Figma is highly valued for facilitating remote workshops and co-creation sessions. The ability to adapt to new tools and technologies relevant to digital agriculture and venture building will also be important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to create new solutions and business models that address real-world problems.
• Customer Centricity: Placing the needs and experiences of users, especially smallholder farmers, at the forefront of all design and development efforts.
• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional cooperation is encouraged.
• Agility & Adaptability: Embracing change, learning quickly, and iterating on solutions in a fast-paced startup-like setting.
• Impact-Driven: Focusing on delivering tangible value and positive change within the agricultural ecosystem.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with product managers, engineers, marketers, and venture leads to ensure holistic product development.
• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent feedback and open dialogue to foster continuous improvement and shared understanding.
• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in mentoring junior designers and sharing best practices to elevate the team's capabilities.
• Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilizing research insights and data to guide strategic decisions and validate design approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate a proactive and collaborative attitude, with a strong ability to influence and inspire through design thinking. Alignment with Bayer's core values of leadership, integrity, flexibility, and efficiency will be assessed.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Diverse User Needs: Adapting design solutions to meet the varied needs and contexts of smallholder farmers across different regions in Asia.
• Navigating a Large Corporate Structure: Balancing startup agility with the processes and requirements of a large multinational corporation.
• Data Scarcity in Emerging Markets: Overcoming potential challenges in accessing comprehensive user data or market insights in certain regions.
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Effectively communicating and collaborating with stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds across Asia.
• Scalability of Solutions: Ensuring designed business models and digital products are scalable and sustainable in emerging agricultural markets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Methodologies: Deepen expertise in specialized areas of Business Design, Service Design, and User Experience research.
• Industry Conferences & Training: Participation in relevant industry events and training programs focused on digital agriculture, innovation, and design.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within Bayer or to mentor junior team members, fostering leadership skills.
• Exposure to Venture Building: Gain hands-on experience in launching and scaling new businesses within a corporate innovation framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are opportunities for growth. Candidates who can demonstrate resilience, problem-solving skills, and a proactive approach to learning will thrive in this role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used human-centered design to solve a complex business problem. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"
• "How would you approach designing a digital product for smallholder farmers in Indonesia, considering their specific needs and technological access?"
• "Walk us through your process for facilitating a design sprint with a diverse group of stakeholders, including end-users."
• "How do you ensure your design recommendations are actionable and align with business objectives?"
• "How do you measure the success of a business design initiative?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Bayer's Digital Farming Solutions in Asia?"
• "How do you see your role contributing to Bayer's mission in agriculture?"
• "Describe your experience working in a startup-like environment within a large corporation."
• "How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder expectations?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: Select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your skills and align with the role's requirements.
• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation as a narrative, highlighting the problem, your process, your solutions, and the results.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, research methodologies, and problem-solving approaches.
• Showcase Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you collaborated with teams and stakeholders throughout your projects.
• Demonstrate Business Acumen: Connect your design work to business outcomes and strategic goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem-Solving: Practice breaking down complex problems and articulating your approach to finding solutions.
• User Empathy: Be prepared to demonstrate empathy for the target users (smallholder farmers) and how that empathy drives your design.
• Visual Communication: If a visual design challenge is given, focus on clarity, user flow, and conveying the core functionality effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare specific examples for each question, drawing from your portfolio and professional experience. Demonstrating a clear understanding of Bayer's business and the agricultural sector in Asia will be highly advantageous.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Business Designer position:

• Submit your application via the Bayer careers portal or the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight relevant experience in Business Design, user research, stakeholder engagement, and innovation within the agricultural or technology sectors.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 5+ years of experience, emphasizing achievements and quantifiable results in previous roles. Use keywords like "Business Design," "Human-Centered Design," "Venture Building," "User Research," and "Workshop Facilitation."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, showcasing your portfolio with compelling narratives, and preparing answers to common interview questions related to design strategy, user empathy, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Bayer's Digital Farming Solutions strategy in Asia, their target markets, and the challenges faced by smallholder farmers to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.