Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer Company: ProducePay Location: Los Angeles, California, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design Operations / GTM Operations Date Posted: December 5, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Remote OK (Americas)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the complete product design lifecycle, from initial user research and ideation through to UI design and final implementation, ensuring a user-centric and data-driven approach.
• Drive significant improvements in user experience by tackling root user problems and developing elegant, effective solutions across ProducePay's platform.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders to translate design vision into tangible, high-impact product features.
• Champion the development and adoption of a robust internal design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all product touchpoints.
• Leverage deep customer empathy and analytical skills to design intuitive interfaces and sophisticated data visualizations, adhering to stringent accessibility standards (WCAG).

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is framed as a "Lead Product Designer" but given the emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, data-driven insights, and driving product direction, it has significant overlap with GTM and operations-adjacent responsibilities. The focus on user problem-solving and systems thinking aligns with operations roles that aim to optimize workflows and user journeys.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the end-to-end product design process, encompassing user research, information architecture, interaction design, visual design, and user testing.
• Apply a holistic, systems-thinking methodology to complex product challenges, ensuring solutions are not only aesthetically pleasing but also deeply functional and user-friendly.
• Develop and iterate on foundational design artifacts, including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs, to effectively communicate design intent and strategy.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams to guide the implementation of designs, ensuring fidelity to the original vision while iterating based on user feedback and data.
• Design intuitive, accessible interfaces and sophisticated data visualizations, with a specific commitment to meeting and exceeding WCAG accessibility standards.
• Plan, conduct, and analyze generative and evaluative user research, including usability testing, to extract actionable insights that inform design improvements and product strategy.
• Actively participate in design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional reviews, contributing valuable insights and fostering a collaborative design culture.
• Lead the creation, maintenance, and enforcement of an internal design system, ensuring a consistent and efficient user experience across the entire ProducePay platform.
• Engage in key design and product strategy meetings, including weekly status updates, brainstorming sessions, and quarterly planning, to influence product direction.
• Thrive in a remote-first, asynchronous work environment, maintaining proactive communication and effective collaboration with distributed teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize end-to-end ownership and strategic influence, typical of a lead role. The focus on user research, data-driven insights, and collaboration aligns closely with the operational aspects of product development and go-to-market strategy, requiring a deep understanding of user workflows and business objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A graduate degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, or a related field is preferred. Experience: 7+ years of professional hands-on software product design experience, preferably in a data-driven environment. Experience in the AgTech space would be helpful.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to dissect complex user needs and business requirements.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design projects, demonstrating end-to-end design process and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven experience with UX/UI Design, including deep proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Miro, and various prototyping tools.
• Proven experience with User Research, demonstrating proficiency with a variety of research techniques (qualitative and quantitative) and the effective use of analytics data to inform decisions.
• Ability to clearly and persuasively articulate your design work, rationale, and strategic thinking to peers and cross-functional teams.
• Experience working effectively within an Agile development team and contributing to sprint planning and execution.
• Proactive, ambitious, and capable of managing time and resources efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is required.
• Located in the Americas, with a preference for candidates in Central, Mountain, or Pacific time zones to facilitate collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the AgTech industry, providing context on agricultural supply chains and farmer needs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead design initiatives and mentor junior designers.
• Experience designing sophisticated data visualizations and dashboards for complex datasets.
• Familiarity with design system implementation and scaling best practices.
• Experience in a remote-first or distributed team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a strong portfolio, proficiency in specific design and research tools, and experience with Agile methodologies are standard for senior design roles. The bilingual requirement and preferred time zones highlight the operational need for seamless communication and collaboration within the Americas market. The mention of AgTech experience is a domain-specific advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 7 years of professional product design work, with a clear emphasis on solving complex user problems.
• Detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end design process, including user research methodologies, ideation stages, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and user testing outcomes.
• Evidence of systems thinking and the ability to design for scalability and consistency, ideally through examples of contributions to or creation of design systems.
• Demonstrations of data-driven design decisions, supported by user analytics, A/B testing results, or other quantitative data.
• Clear articulation of the impact and ROI of design solutions, quantifying improvements in user engagement, conversion rates, or operational efficiency where possible.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of well-documented user flows, interaction specifications, and design rationale that facilitate clear communication with engineering and product teams.
• Documentation illustrating the application of WCAG accessibility standards in design deliverables.
• Case studies that highlight the process of conducting and synthesizing user research, translating findings into actionable design recommendations.
• Evidence of how design processes were adapted to fit Agile development cycles and cross-functional team workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a comprehensive portfolio, detailed case studies, and quantifiable impact is critical for senior roles. For a product designer, this portfolio serves as a direct representation of their ability to execute on process and deliver measurable results, akin to how operations professionals present process optimization case studies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary will be adjusted based on market benchmarks for the candidate's living location, with the final offer falling within or near the posted range. While a specific range is not provided, for a Lead Product Designer role in Los Angeles, California, with 7+ years of experience, a typical range could be between $140,000 - $190,000 USD annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major US tech hubs and considering the preferred time zones.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Savings Plan (401k)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Professional Training & Development opportunities
• Work From Home support and benefits
• Wellness Resources to support employee well-being

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines and collaborative needs, particularly within a remote and asynchronous environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on industry data for similar roles in the specified geographic region (Los Angeles) and experience level. The benefits package is comprehensive and standard for a US-based tech company. The "Location Disclosure" explicitly states that salary is location-adjusted, a crucial detail for remote roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Agriculture Technology (AgTech) and FinTech, focusing on transforming the global fresh produce industry. Company Size: (Information not directly provided, but implied to be a growing tech company with distributed teams). Founded: (Information not directly provided).

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a broader Product or Engineering department, collaborating closely with Product Management and Engineering.
• Expect a structure that supports cross-functional pods or squads, where designers work collaboratively with PMs and Engineers on specific product areas.
• Reporting structure would likely place the Lead Product Designer under a Head of Product, VP of Product, or similar leadership role.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Heavy emphasis on using analytics and user research to inform design choices and product strategy.
• User-Centric Design: A core principle of solving "root user problems" and prioritizing the user experience.
• Agile Development: Working within Agile frameworks to enable rapid iteration, flexibility, and continuous delivery of value.
• Systems Thinking: Approaching product challenges holistically, considering the interconnectedness of features and user journeys.
• Remote-First Collaboration: Utilizing asynchronous communication and collaboration tools to bridge geographical distances.

Company Website: https://www.producepay.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: ProducePay operates at the intersection of AgTech and FinTech, aiming to disrupt traditional agriculture markets. This implies a mission-driven culture focused on efficiency, sustainability, and farmer empowerment. The remote-first nature suggests a culture that values autonomy, clear communication, and effective use of collaboration tools.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead Product Designer role, indicating a senior individual contributor position with significant ownership and influence. It requires not only strong craft but also strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to shape product direction. This level often serves as a stepping stone to management or principal-level individual contributor roles.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Director or VP of Product/Design. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, influencing product roadmaps and design strategies.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the success of ProducePay's platform by ensuring a user-friendly, efficient, and valuable experience for farmers and consumers. This directly influences user adoption, retention, and the overall effectiveness of the platform's mission to create a more connected and sustainable produce ecosystem. A strong UX can drive increased engagement, better data utilization by farmers, and ultimately, contribute to revenue growth and operational efficiency for both ProducePay and its users.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and potentially transition into a Design Manager role.
• Strategic Influence: Deep involvement in product strategy and roadmap planning, allowing for significant impact on the company's direction.
• Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in AgTech and FinTech, becoming an expert in a niche but critical industry.
• Skill Expansion: Continued learning in advanced UX research, data visualization, design systems, and potentially product management principles.
• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhance skills in collaborating with diverse teams (engineering, marketing, sales, operations) to achieve business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a "Lead" role, the emphasis is on strategic contribution and influence beyond just execution. This aligns with operations roles that aim to optimize processes and drive business outcomes through strategic initiatives. Growth opportunities are geared towards leadership, strategic impact, and specialized domain expertise.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-first, with a strong emphasis on asynchronous communication and collaboration tools. While the role is based in the Americas and preferred time zones are listed, the company operates with a distributed workforce. Office Location(s): While the job is posted for Los Angeles, California, the "Work From Home" benefit and remote-first culture indicate that the primary work environment is the employee's home office. The company may have a physical headquarters or other offices, but this role is designed to be performed remotely.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Digital Environment: Expect a highly collaborative digital workspace leveraging tools like Figma, Miro, Slack, and project management software.
• Technology & Tools: Access to modern design software, research platforms, and communication tools is essential. The company likely invests in robust technology to support its remote operations.
• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings, design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and informal check-ins will be key to team interaction and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, but with the flexibility inherent in remote-first and asynchronous environments. This means that while core hours might be expected for synchronous collaboration, there's likely autonomy in structuring the workday to optimize productivity and balance personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of ProducePay is a defining characteristic of its work environment. This necessitates a culture that values autonomy, self-management, and effective digital collaboration, which is increasingly common in forward-thinking operations teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio link to assess qualifications and experience. Be sure your resume clearly highlights your 7+ years of experience and key skills.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, detailing your process, rationale, and the impact of your designs. Be prepared to discuss your approach to user research, problem-solving, and collaboration.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other stakeholders to assess your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and integrate into the team. Expect questions about your experience with Agile methodologies and working with distributed teams.
• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Potentially a design exercise or case study to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate your process under timed conditions.
• Final Interview: Typically with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product/Design) to discuss cultural fit, long-term career aspirations, and final alignment with the role and company vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase end-to-end design, problem-solving, and impact. Prioritize projects that demonstrate systems thinking or contributions to design systems.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, key decisions, challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes or lessons learned. Use visuals (flows, wireframes, mockups) to illustrate your points.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).
• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you worked with cross-functional teams (PMs, Engineers, Researchers) and how your contributions influenced the final product.
• Accessibility & Data: Ensure your portfolio includes examples of designing for accessibility (WCAG) and leveraging data in your design process.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio within a set timeframe, focusing on the most critical aspects of each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research ProducePay, its mission, its users (farmers, consumers), and the AgTech/FinTech space.
• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to walk through your problem-solving framework. How do you define a problem? What research methods would you employ? How do you generate solutions? How do you test and iterate?
• Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss design decisions and the trade-offs you considered (e.g., scope vs. user experience, speed vs. polish).
• Demonstrate Communication: Practice clearly and concisely explaining complex design concepts and your rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess a candidate's full spectrum of skills, from craft and process to collaboration and strategic thinking. A strong portfolio is paramount, serving as the primary evidence of their capabilities. The emphasis on case studies and quantifiable results is directly analogous to how operations professionals showcase their process optimization achievements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, and prototyping. Expect advanced usage for component creation and collaboration.
• Miro: Crucial for remote brainstorming, user flow mapping, journey mapping, and collaborative ideation sessions.
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools integrated with Figma or standalone prototyping software for creating interactive user experiences.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and measure product performance.
• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools or techniques for creating clear and insightful data visualizations, especially for dashboards and reports.

CRM & Automation: (While not directly a design tool, understanding CRM and automation impacts user journeys)

• CRM Systems: Awareness of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) might influence or be influenced by user interactions with the product.
• Automation Platforms: Understanding how automation might streamline user workflows or internal processes, impacting the design of user-facing features.
• Integration Tools: General awareness of how different software systems integrate, which can be relevant for understanding the broader product ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights the core design toolkit. Proficiency in Figma and Miro is non-negotiable. The ability to interpret and leverage user analytics data is critical for a data-driven designer, mirroring the importance of data analysis in operations roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Empathy: A deep commitment to understanding and addressing the needs and pain points of users, particularly farmers in the produce industry.
• Data-Driven Excellence: Valuing decisions informed by quantitative and qualitative data, ensuring designs are effective and impactful.
• Agile & Iterative: Embracing flexibility, continuous improvement, and rapid iteration as core principles in the design and development process.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an open environment where ideas are shared, critiques are constructive, and cross-functional teams work in synergy.
• Ownership & Accountability: Encouraging individuals to take ownership of their work, drive projects forward, and be accountable for outcomes.
• Sustainability & Impact: A commitment to the company's mission of creating a more connected and sustainable global fresh produce industry.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Working seamlessly with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and potentially Marketing and Sales teams.
• Constructive Critique: Engaging in regular design critiques and feedback sessions to elevate the quality of work.
• Asynchronous Communication: Mastering the art of clear, concise written communication for effective collaboration across different time zones and work schedules.
• Shared Vision: Aligning on product goals and user experience principles to ensure cohesive product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values, as inferred from the job description, emphasize user-centricity, data, agility, and collaboration – all critical components of successful operations teams. The collaboration style reflects the realities of a remote-first, distributed workforce.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Operating in a dynamic startup environment where product direction can evolve, requiring adaptability and strong problem-solving skills.
• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively advocating for the user while ensuring designs align with business objectives and technical constraints.
• Designing for a Complex Industry: Understanding the unique needs and workflows of the fresh produce industry and its stakeholders (farmers, distributors, consumers).
• Maintaining Consistency in a Remote Environment: Ensuring design consistency and team cohesion across a distributed and asynchronous workforce.
• Driving Design System Adoption: Championing the use and evolution of the design system across various product areas and teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Research & Strategy: Deepening expertise in cutting-edge research methodologies and strategic product development.
• Data Visualization Mastery: Developing advanced skills in presenting complex data in clear, actionable visual formats.
• Design Systems Leadership: Gaining experience in scaling and managing design systems for growing product portfolios.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Enhancing ability to influence product strategy and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Industry Expertise: Becoming a subject matter expert in AgTech and FinTech.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around typical senior-level responsibilities in a growing tech company, including strategic influence, complex problem-solving, and adaptation. Growth opportunities are focused on deepening specialized skills and expanding leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex product challenge you faced and how you used a systems-thinking approach to solve it." (Focus on your process, user research, and how you considered the broader system.)
• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in your design process?" (Prepare examples demonstrating your negotiation and prioritization skills.)
• "Tell me about a time you had to influence stakeholders or cross-functional teams to adopt your design recommendations." (Highlight your communication, persuasion, and collaboration strategies.)
• "How would you approach designing a new feature for our platform, assuming you had limited initial user data?" (Discuss your research methods, hypothesis generation, and iterative design approach.)
• "What are your strategies for ensuring accessibility (WCAG) is integrated into your design process from the outset?" (Be ready to discuss specific techniques and best practices.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about ProducePay's mission and the AgTech industry?" (Research the company's impact and values.)
• "How do you contribute to a positive and productive team culture, especially in a remote-first environment?" (Discuss your communication style, feedback approach, and collaboration habits.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning.)
• "Describe your experience working with Agile development teams. What is your role in sprint planning and execution?" (Be specific about your contributions and collaboration with engineers.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact/Results -> Learnings.
• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your points. Don't just show final screens; show the journey.
• Focus on "Why": Articulate the rationale behind your design decisions. Why did you choose a particular approach? What research supported it?
• Quantify Everything Possible: Bring data to your presentation. Metrics, user feedback quotes, conversion rates – anything that demonstrates success.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design choices, your research methodologies, and how you handled challenges.
• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows well, stays within the allotted time, and you can answer questions confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are designed to probe for strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, collaboration capabilities, and a deep understanding of the design process. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, serving as the primary evidence of the candidate's ability to deliver value.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible via a direct link on your resume or application. Curate 3-5 of your strongest case studies that highlight end-to-end design, problem-solving, and quantifiable impact, tailored to showcase experience relevant to a growing tech company in the AgTech/FinTech space.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 7+ years of professional software product design experience, highlighting proficiency in Figma, Miro, user research, data visualization, and Agile methodologies. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, key decisions, and project outcomes clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss your experience in a remote-first environment and your bilingual capabilities.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research ProducePay's mission, products, and target market (farmers, produce industry). Understand their commitment to sustainability and technology in agriculture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding salary ranges and specific company culture nuances, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.