Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: QAD, Inc.

Location: Pune, India

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: March 12, 2026

Experience Level: 5-7 years (Senior level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end user experience for QAD's Suite of ERP solutions, focusing on complex enterprise applications.

• Translate deep customer and market research into intuitive and efficient workflows, interactions, and product features.

• Champion UX vision and strategy by collaborating closely with Product Management, Engineering, and senior stakeholders.

• Design and validate user-centered experiences through wireframes, prototypes, and rigorous usability testing.

• Elevate the organization's UX maturity by providing guidance and training to cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for an on-site Senior Product Designer in Pune, India, focusing on enterprise-level ERP solutions. The emphasis is on a deep understanding of user-centered design principles within a complex software environment, requiring strong collaboration and strategic thinking.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and design of user experiences for QAD's ERP products, from initial research to final implementation.

• Develop comprehensive user personas, storyboards, user journeys, and flowcharts to represent user needs and perspectives throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Create detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups that effectively communicate design intent and functionality.

• Conduct thorough user research, including contextual inquiries and usability testing, to gather insights and validate design decisions.

• Partner with Product Management and Engineering teams to define product requirements, identify technical constraints, and ensure seamless integration of UX designs.

• Present design concepts, research findings, and UX strategies to diverse stakeholder groups, including executive leadership.

• Act as a UX evangelist within the organization, offering training, resources, and best practices to enhance overall UX capabilities.

• Continuously iterate on designs based on user feedback, performance data, and evolving business objectives.

• Maintain and contribute to existing design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across product offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive and strategic approach, requiring the candidate to not only execute design tasks but also to influence product direction and elevate the organization's UX capabilities. The focus on ERP systems and complex enterprise applications suggests a need for understanding intricate business processes and user workflows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, Psychology, or a related field.

Experience:

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in product design, with a strong preference for experience within ERP systems or other complex enterprise software applications.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level interaction design skills and a deep understanding of UX principles and methodologies.

• Proven ability to articulate design solutions effectively through compelling storytelling and clear user narratives.

• Demonstrated experience planning and executing user research and usability testing methodologies.

• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills for communicating with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong analytical skills for interpreting user feedback, research data, and business requirements.

• Proficiency in working within agile development environments and adapting to iterative product requirements.

• Advanced prototyping skills to create interactive and realistic user experience simulations.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with existing design systems and contributing to their evolution.

• Familiarity with front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and their implications on design implementation.

• Understanding of UI guidelines and best practices across major operating systems and platforms.

• Foundational knowledge of design system architecture and its impact on product consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of strategic thinking, deep design craft, and strong interpersonal skills. The requirement for experience in ERP or complex enterprise applications is critical, suggesting that candidates should highlight projects involving intricate workflows and business logic. Proficiency in Figma is specifically preferred, indicating its primary role in the design tool stack.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of design projects that showcase a strong portfolio of end-to-end user experience design for complex software products.

• Demonstrations of your process for user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Case studies highlighting how you translated complex business requirements into intuitive and effective user interfaces.

• Examples that illustrate your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering) throughout the design lifecycle.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed walkthroughs of your design process for at least 2-3 significant projects, emphasizing how you navigated challenges and made design decisions.

• Documentation of user research methodologies employed, including participant recruitment, interview protocols, and analysis of findings.

• Clear articulation of how you validated designs through iterative testing and incorporated feedback.

• Examples of how you documented design specifications for engineering handoff, ensuring clarity and feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to walk through specific projects, detailing their design process, the rationale behind their decisions, and the measurable impact of their work. The focus on ERP and enterprise applications means that showcasing experience with complex workflows and data-heavy interfaces will be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).

• Paid time off including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Retirement savings plan or provident fund contributions.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and salary reviews.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours will likely be 40 hours per week, aligning with typical business operations in India.

• Flexibility may be available depending on team needs and project deadlines, with potential for occasional overtime during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for the Pune, India market for a senior-level design role in the tech industry. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, specific skills, and negotiation. Benefits are standard for a company of QAD's size and industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software (SaaS), Manufacturing Technology, Supply Chain Management. QAD is a key player in providing cloud-based ERP solutions that help manufacturers optimize their operations.

Company Size: QAD, Inc. is a medium to large enterprise, with a significant global presence. This implies a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact due to the scale of their products.

Founded: QAD was founded in 1979, indicating a long history and deep expertise in the manufacturing software sector. This stability and experience are foundational to their product development.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will likely be part of the Product Management department, reporting to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Director of Product.

• The role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, UX Researchers, Software Engineers, and potentially stakeholders from Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support.

Methodology:

• QAD emphasizes a user-centered approach, driven by research and data, to solve real-world problems in manufacturing and supply chains.

• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, requiring designers to be adaptable and responsive to changing requirements.

• The company aims to redefine manufacturing and supply chains through an intelligent, adaptive platform, suggesting a focus on innovation and forward-thinking solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: QAD's focus on manufacturing and supply chain ERP solutions means the company culture likely values efficiency, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of complex business processes. The integration with Redzone and Champion AI suggests a commitment to modernizing and innovating within their established market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires a strong command of UX principles, significant experience in complex product design, and the ability to mentor others. The role is expected to contribute strategically to product vision and UX maturity.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will typically report to a UX Manager, Director of Product Design, or Head of Product. They will work within cross-functional product teams, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and adoption of QAD's ERP suite. Their work is crucial for customer satisfaction, operational productivity for clients, and the overall success and market competitiveness of QAD's software solutions. They translate business objectives and user needs into tangible product features that drive value.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of ERP design, such as supply chain logistics, financial modules, or manufacturing execution systems.

• Leadership: Progress to a Lead Product Designer, UX Manager, or Director of Product Design role, managing teams and setting design strategy.

• Mentorship: Guide junior designers, conduct UX training, and become a subject matter expert in user experience best practices within the company.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management roles by leveraging a strong understanding of user needs and product strategy.

• Industry Expertise: Develop deep knowledge of the manufacturing and supply chain industries, becoming a go-to designer for these complex domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" is framed through the lens of how design influences the operational efficiency of QAD's clients and the success of QAD's products. Growth opportunities are tailored to a senior design career path within a corporate technology environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: QAD has an established office presence in Pune, India. This suggests a professional, corporate office environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): The role is specifically for the Pune, India office. Candidates are expected to be based there or willing to relocate.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be an open-plan office or dedicated team areas, facilitating collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers.

• Access to standard office technology, including high-performance workstations, design software, and collaboration tools, will be provided.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, aligning with Indian business hours.

• The role requires on-site presence, emphasizing in-person collaboration and team integration.

• While a standard schedule is expected, flexibility might be afforded for project needs, especially within an agile framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "on-site" for this role in Pune is a key differentiator, highlighting a preference for in-person collaboration and team synergy. This environment is designed to support the complex product development lifecycle of enterprise software.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience and fit with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve into your experience, design philosophy, and understanding of UX principles, particularly in complex environments.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present 2-3 key projects from your portfolio, detailing your process, challenges, solutions, and the impact of your work. This is a critical stage.

• Technical/Team Interview: This may involve a design exercise or a discussion with engineers and product managers to assess your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to articulate design solutions.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as narratives. Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the key decisions you made, and the measurable outcomes.

• Process Focus: Emphasize your end-to-end design process. Show how you conduct research, define problems, ideate solutions, prototype, test, and iterate.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. For ERP systems, this could include improvements in task completion time, error reduction, user adoption rates, or efficiency gains for clients.

• Relevance: Highlight projects that are most relevant to enterprise software, complex workflows, or B2B SaaS products. Experience with ERP systems is a significant plus.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) are clean, well-organized, and easy to understand.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design exercises that may involve solving a hypothetical problem related to ERP functionality or complex user flows. Focus on your approach and thought process.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a diverse group of stakeholders.

• Research QAD's products and their target market (manufacturing and supply chain) to better understand the context of the challenges you might face.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes portfolio presentation and the candidate's ability to articulate their design process and impact. Candidates should prepare thoroughly for this stage, focusing on demonstrating their expertise in enterprise-level product design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Wireframing: Expertise in Figma is strongly preferred. Proficiency in other industry-standard tools such as Axure, Adobe XD, Balsamiq, and Illustrator is also valuable.

• Prototyping: Advanced prototyping skills are essential, likely leveraging Figma's capabilities or dedicated prototyping tools.

• Collaboration: Experience with project management and collaboration tools like Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms for agile workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with user analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user experience impacts CRM adoption and data input within enterprise systems is beneficial.

• Awareness of how design choices can affect automation and workflow efficiency within the ERP context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is highlighted as a preferred tool, suggesting it's a core part of the design team's workflow. Experience with tools used in enterprise software development (like Jira) and an understanding of how design integrates with analytics and business systems are important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of users, particularly in the context of complex manufacturing and supply chain operations.

• Problem-Solving: A culture that thrives on tackling intricate, real-world challenges with innovative and effective design solutions.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and partnership across disciplines (Product Management, Engineering, Research).

• Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly learn, refine processes, and enhance product quality through iterative design and feedback.

• Excellence: A dedication to high-quality design, attention to detail, and delivering impactful user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• The team likely operates with a high degree of cross-functional collaboration, typical of agile product development.

• Expect regular design reviews, feedback sessions, and joint problem-solving with Product Managers and Engineers.

• A proactive approach to communication and sharing insights is valued to ensure alignment and efficient progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values reflect a professional and collaborative environment focused on delivering high-quality, user-centric solutions for complex business problems within the manufacturing and supply chain sectors.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of ERP Systems: Designing intuitive user experiences for deeply complex, data-intensive ERP systems that cater to specialized business needs.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and aligning the diverse requirements and expectations of Product Management, Engineering, executive leadership, and end-users.

• Driving UX Maturity: Influencing and educating teams and stakeholders who may have varying levels of UX understanding or experience.

• Technical Constraints: Navigating technical limitations and trade-offs with engineering teams while striving to maintain a high-quality user experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Immersion: Gaining deep expertise in the manufacturing and supply chain industries, understanding their unique challenges and workflows.

• Advanced Design Skills: Honing skills in complex interaction design, information architecture for enterprise systems, and potentially leading design system initiatives.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design efforts on key product initiatives, and grow into leadership roles.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Developing a broader understanding of product management, software development lifecycles, and business strategy within a SaaS context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the nature of enterprise software and the role of a senior designer within such an organization. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise and advancing within the design and product development fields.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex workflow for an enterprise application. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on your systematic approach, research, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints when designing a new feature?" (Highlight your ability to make trade-offs and find optimal solutions.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about QAD's products and the industries we serve? How does this inform your design approach?" (Demonstrate your research and understanding of the context.)

• "How do you prefer to collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers?" (Emphasize your teamwork and communication style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 Strongest, Most Relevant Projects: Focus on projects that showcase end-to-end design process, complex problem-solving, and ideally, enterprise/SaaS experience.

• Structure Each Project as a Narrative:

  • The Problem: Clearly define the user problem or business challenge.
  • Your Role: Specify your responsibilities and contributions.
  • The Process: Detail your research, ideation, design, and testing steps.
  • Key Decisions: Explain the rationale behind critical design choices.
  • The Solution: Showcase your final designs (wireframes, prototypes, mockups).
  • The Impact: Quantify the results (e.g., increased efficiency, reduced errors, improved user satisfaction).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and how you handled feedback.

• Use Visuals Effectively: Ensure your presentation slides are clean, visually appealing, and clearly illustrate your design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating a structured design process, demonstrating strategic thinking, and showcasing a portfolio that aligns with the requirements of designing complex enterprise software.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your 5-7 years of experience in product design, specifically mentioning any experience with ERP systems, complex enterprise applications, or B2B SaaS products. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Focus on showcasing your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and quantifiable impact. Ensure it's easily accessible and well-organized.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on clear storytelling, your design rationale, and the outcomes. Be ready to discuss your experience with specific tools like Figma.

• Research QAD: Understand QAD's mission, products (ERP suite, Redzone, Champion AI), and the manufacturing/supply chain industries they serve. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.