Product Designer - Workforce Solutions (all genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Workforce Solutions Company: HRS GmbH Location: Berlin, Germany Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: 2025-06-02T09:32:26.346 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid (1 day/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design of user-centric solutions for HRS's Workforce as a Service platform, focusing on simplifying complex B2B and B2C workflows.
• Drive product success by partnering with Product Managers and Engineering Leads in a Product Trio structure, emphasizing a hypothesis-driven and data-focused approach.
• Champion usability and eliminate friction points throughout the user journey, ensuring intuitive and impactful digital experiences for corporate travel management.
• Leverage AI and automation technologies to transform manual processes into seamless, efficient, and digital-first solutions for crew operators and project managers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a strong focus on "Usability Ownership" and "Usability Risk" reduction, indicating a mature product development environment where user experience is a primary driver of product success. The integration of AI and automation suggests a forward-thinking approach to solving complex operational challenges in corporate travel.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner within the Product Trio (Product Manager, Designer, Engineer) to identify customer problems, explore solution spaces, and validate hypotheses through rigorous user research and rapid prototyping.
• Plan and execute a variety of qualitative and quantitative user research activities, including user interviews, contextual inquiries, workshops, and usability tests, to extract actionable insights.
• Translate research findings into interactive prototypes and pixel-perfect designs, ensuring simplicity and usability even within complex workflows.
• Initiate change initiatives through narrative document analysis, utilizing methods like the Amazon 6-pager approach to clearly articulate design proposals and their expected impact.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams during the implementation phase, ensuring design quality, consistency, and that defined goals are achieved through iterative delivery cycles.
• Enhance and contribute to the proprietary Design System to maintain consistency and scalability across all HRS platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking, hands-on execution, and deep collaboration. The emphasis on "measurable implementation" and iterating until "defined goal is achieved" points to a results-oriented and data-driven product development culture.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected, though equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience: Several years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of simplifying complex B2B or B2C processes into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces.

Required Skills:

• Strong expertise in usability testing, hypothesis-driven design, and continuous iteration with a data-focused approach.
• Proven ability to partner effectively within a Product Trio (PM, Designer, Engineer) to drive product success.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design and research tools such as Figma, Miro, Dovetail, and User Interviews.
• Demonstrated experience with user-centered research methods and the ability to translate insights into actionable design solutions.
• Excellent English communication skills, with the ability to advocate for usability and align diverse stakeholders.
• A solid understanding of agile product development methodologies and modern Discovery and Delivery practices.
• Experience in enhancing and contributing to Design Systems.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the travel technology, SaaS, or FinTech industries.
• Familiarity with AI-driven automation in product design.
• Experience designing for complex enterprise workflows, particularly in logistics, workforce management, or project-based travel.
• Knowledge of backend systems and their impact on user interface design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of technical design proficiency, strong research capabilities, and collaborative soft skills. The "data-focused way of working" and "hypothesis-driven design" are key indicators of an analytical and iterative design process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate case studies showcasing the process of simplifying complex business workflows into intuitive user interfaces.
• Highlight projects where usability risk was a key concern and how it was addressed through research, iteration, and data analysis.
• Showcase experience with user-centered research methods, including user interviews, usability testing, and contextual inquiries, and how insights were actioned.
• Include examples of contributions to or creation of design systems, demonstrating an understanding of scalability and consistency.

Process Documentation:

• Present examples of how research findings were translated into interactive prototypes and final designs.
• Illustrate collaboration with engineering teams during the delivery phase, ensuring design fidelity and iterative improvements.
• Provide evidence of data-driven decision-making in the design process, including how metrics were used to inform design choices and measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates are expected to present a portfolio that clearly articulates their design process, from research and ideation to implementation and iteration, with a strong emphasis on measurable outcomes and user-centricity.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not explicitly stated, for a Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Berlin, Germany, a competitive market-based salary is expected. Based on industry benchmarks and the company's description of attractive remuneration, a range of €60,000 - €85,000 annually is a reasonable estimate.

Benefits:

• Attractive remuneration package.
• Annual or multi-year bonus opportunities.
• Provision of all necessary work equipment.
• Mobility benefits (specifics to be clarified).
• Opportunity to work on innovative technology solutions in the corporate travel sector.
• Contribution to a growing company with a significant market presence.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with hybrid flexibility allowing for 1 day per week in the Berlin office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical compensation for experienced Product Designers in Berlin, Germany, considering the company's size and industry. The benefits package suggests comprehensive support for employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Travel Tech, ProcureTech, Travel Management, FinTech, BPATech (Business Process Automation). HRS is a global leader in transforming corporate travel and lodging with a technology-driven ecosystem. Company Size: HRS GmbH is part of a larger organization that has been in business since 1972, serving over 35% of the global Fortune 500. While the specific size of the Berlin-based team isn't detailed, HRS globally employs a significant number of professionals. Founded: HRS was founded in 1972, bringing over 50 years of experience to the corporate travel industry.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will be part of a "Product Trio," a cross-functional team consisting of a Product Manager, Product Designer, and Engineering Lead, working collaboratively on specific product initiatives.
• This structure implies a flat hierarchy within product teams, fostering direct communication and shared ownership.
• Collaboration extends across various departments, including engineering, product management, research, and potentially marketing and sales, to ensure alignment and product success.

Methodology:

• Employs a "Discovery-first" approach to product development, prioritizing understanding customer problems before solution design.
• Utilizes agile product development methodologies, with a focus on modern Discovery and Delivery practices.
• Leverages AI and automation to streamline processes and enhance user experiences.
• Adopts data-driven decision-making and continuous iteration based on user research and performance metrics.
• Uses the Amazon 6-pager method for strategic document analysis and proposal development.

Company Website: https://jobs.hrs.com/ and https://www.hrs.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: HRS positions itself as a tech-forward company leveraging ProcureTech, TravelTech, BPATech, and FinTech. The emphasis on collaboration within Product Trios and a data-driven, iterative approach suggests a modern and efficient product development environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level Product Designer, responsible for owning specific product areas and driving significant design outcomes. It requires a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic thinking. Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Head of Product Design, Product Lead, or directly to a Product Manager within a specific business unit like BPA Tech. The Product Trio structure implies direct collaboration with PMs and Engineering Leads. Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and adoption of HRS's Workforce as a Service solutions. By simplifying complex travel procurement and management for rotating workforces, the designer contributes to significant cost savings, operational efficiency, and improved traveler satisfaction for HRS clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advance into Senior Product Designer or Lead Product Designer roles, taking on more complex product challenges and mentoring junior designers.
• Specialize in specific areas of product design, such as user research, interaction design, or design systems.
• Transition into Product Management roles, leveraging deep product understanding gained from design.
• Develop expertise in the travel technology or B2B SaaS space, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Opportunity to influence and evolve the company's design processes and standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within product design, with potential avenues into leadership or adjacent product management roles, particularly within the specialized BPA Tech division.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is based in Berlin, with an expectation of 1 day per week in the office. This suggests a hybrid work model, balancing remote flexibility with in-person collaboration. Office Location(s): Primarily Berlin, with occasional travel to their HQ in Cologne for team meetings. Workspace Context:

• The Berlin office likely provides a modern workspace designed to foster collaboration and innovation, supporting the hybrid work model.
• Access to contemporary design and research tools (Figma, Miro, Dovetail) will be standard.
• Opportunities for close interaction with product teams, engineers, and product managers within the Product Trio structure.
• Exposure to a dynamic, international work environment within the travel tech industry. Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) with hybrid flexibility, allowing for efficient time management to balance design work, research, and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Berlin indicates a modern approach to work, valuing both focused individual work and collaborative team engagement. Occasional travel to Cologne is a typical requirement for fostering team cohesion in larger organizations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios. Be prepared to clearly articulate your design process and highlight relevant case studies.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion about your experience, approach to design challenges, and understanding of user-centered methodologies. Expect questions about how you handle usability risk and collaborate within a Product Trio.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present a case study from their portfolio, detailing a complex problem, their design process, research insights, and the impact of their solutions. This is a key opportunity to showcase your strategic thinking and communication skills.
• Final Interview: May involve meeting with senior leadership or other key stakeholders to assess cultural fit and overall alignment with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select case studies that directly address the requirements of this role: simplifying complex processes, user research, hypothesis-driven design, and collaboration.
• Clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the process undertaken, the tools and methods used, the rationale behind key design decisions, and the measurable outcomes.
• Quantify impact whenever possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%," "improved user satisfaction scores by Y").
• Be ready to discuss your experience with Design Systems and your approach to continuous user research.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with the Amazon 6-pager method for structured problem-solving and communication.
• Review common usability testing methodologies and how to interpret results.
• Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing for complex B2B workflows, considering enterprise needs and scalability.
• Think about how you would integrate AI and automation into user-centric design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "Product Trio" and "Usability Ownership" suggests interviewers will probe deeply into your collaborative abilities and your systematic approach to solving user problems. A well-structured portfolio presentation is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (primary), potentially Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).
• User Research & Collaboration: Miro, Dovetail, User Interviews, other survey and analytics platforms.
• Project Management/Documentation: Jira, Confluence, or similar tools for agile workflow management and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) for understanding user behavior and measuring design impact.
• Experience with A/B testing platforms to validate design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct user, understanding how design integrates with CRM systems (like Salesforce, though not specified for HRS) and automation platforms (relevant to BPATech) would be beneficial.
• Experience with any proprietary HRS platforms or systems related to travel management or booking would be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Miro is explicitly mentioned, highlighting their importance. Familiarity with user research platforms like Dovetail and User Interviews is also a key requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and solving user problems through thoughtful design.
• Collaboration: Working effectively within cross-functional teams (Product Trio) to achieve shared goals.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data and research to inform design choices and measure impact.
• Efficiency & Automation: Passion for streamlining processes and leveraging technology to create seamless experiences.
• Innovation: Embracing new technologies like AI to transform business travel.
• Ownership: Taking responsibility for product usability and driving initiatives to completion.

Collaboration Style:

• Emphasis on close, cross-functional collaboration within the Product Trio.
• Open communication and feedback loops with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the product lifecycle.
• Proactive engagement with stakeholders to gather insights and ensure alignment.
• A culture that supports continuous learning and iterative improvement in design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a collaborative, data-driven, and user-focused approach to product development, with a strong emphasis on making complex processes simple through technology.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Simplifying Complexity: Designing intuitive solutions for intricate corporate travel procurement and management processes for diverse user groups (crew operators, project managers).
• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Aligning user needs with business objectives and technical constraints within a fast-paced environment.
• Driving Adoption: Ensuring new features and design improvements are effectively adopted by users, particularly in a B2B context.
• Keeping Pace with Technology: Integrating AI and automation effectively into design workflows and user experiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in user-centered design, usability testing, and research methodologies.
• Gain specialized knowledge in the travel technology and B2B SaaS sectors.
• Develop skills in designing for complex enterprise systems and AI-driven products.
• Opportunities for professional development through workshops, conferences, and internal training.
• Potential for mentorship from experienced product leaders within HRS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a product designer in a growing tech company, particularly one focused on optimizing complex business processes. The growth opportunities are strong due to the innovative nature of HRS's services.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• User Problem Solving: "Describe a time you simplified a complex user flow. What was the problem, your process, and the outcome?" Focus on your "Usability Ownership" and "Usability Risk" mitigation.
• Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers in a Product Trio? Give an example of a successful collaboration and one where you faced challenges."
• Research & Iteration: "Walk me through a project where user research significantly changed your design direction. How did you validate your hypothesis?"
• Design Systems: "What is your experience with design systems? How do you contribute to or leverage them?"
• AI & Automation: "How would you approach designing a user experience that leverages AI for automation in corporate travel?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research HRS's mission, values, and specific offerings in ProcureTech, TravelTech, BPATech, and FinTech.
• Understand the company's focus on efficiency, sustainability, and user satisfaction.
• Be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with HRS's customer-centric and data-driven approach.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for each case study.
• Clearly articulate the business problem and user needs.
• Detail your design process, including research methods, ideation, prototyping, and testing.
• Showcase wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes where applicable.
• Quantify the impact of your designs with metrics and user feedback.
• Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and decisions made during the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to defend your design decisions with data and user insights, and to articulate how your work directly contributes to business objectives and user satisfaction, especially within the context of complex operational workflows.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position at HRS GmbH:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that prominently features case studies demonstrating your ability to simplify complex processes, your user research methodologies, and your collaborative approach within product teams. Ensure it highlights how you address usability risks and leverage data.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in product design, B2B/B2C workflows, usability testing, user-centered research, and proficiency with tools like Figma and Miro. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Practice: Rehearse answers to common product design interview questions, focusing on your process, problem-solving skills, and collaborative capabilities. Be ready to present a strong portfolio case study.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research HRS GmbH, its business units (especially BPA Tech), and its market position to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview process.

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