Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Trade Me

Location: Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington Central, New Zealand

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: May 06, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation of visually compelling and user-centered interactive design solutions that align with business objectives and user needs within the Trade Me ecosystem.

• Drive design excellence and foster a collaborative design culture by setting an example and providing mentorship to junior designers.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to execute product roadmaps, ensuring that customer problems are effectively solved and business value is delivered.

• Leverage creative problem-solving methodologies, such as Design Thinking, to navigate complex design challenges and identify optimal solutions.

• Contribute to the entire design lifecycle, from initial concept and wireframing to prototyping, user testing, and final product launch.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under Product Design with a strong emphasis on UX/UI principles, aligning with the broader GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy by ensuring user-centric product development that drives engagement and business value. The hybrid work arrangement and focus on AI integration indicate a forward-thinking approach to modern design practices.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for new features and product enhancements, translating user needs and business requirements into intuitive and engaging user interfaces.

• Develop wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and validate solutions with stakeholders and users.

• Champion user research and user testing initiatives, collaborating closely with UX partners and Product Leads to gather insights and iterate on designs.

• Mentor and provide constructive feedback to junior designers, fostering their growth and ensuring high standards of design practice across the team.

• Actively participate in and contribute to cross-functional team meetings, roadmapping sessions, and sprint planning to ensure design alignment with product strategy.

• Advocate for and implement best practices in UI design, adhering to established design systems, Material Design guidelines for Android, and Human Interface Guidelines for iOS.

• Experiment with and integrate emerging technologies, particularly AI tools, into the design workflow to enhance efficiency and create innovative user experiences.

• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs and provide necessary design specifications.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and methodologies within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level contribution, encompassing not only design execution but also leadership, mentorship, and strategic input into the product development lifecycle. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a role at the forefront of design innovation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and proven experience in product design are paramount. A background in HCI, Interaction Design, Graphic Design, or a related field is often beneficial.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in product design roles, with a preference for in-house team experience, though agency backgrounds will be considered.

• Demonstrated experience in UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.

Required Skills:

• UI Design: Expertise in creating visually appealing and functional user interfaces.

• Prototyping: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes to validate design concepts.

• Wireframing: Ability to translate complex ideas into clear and concise wireframes.

• User Testing & Research: Knowledge of best practices for user testing and user research methodologies.

• Design Thinking: Experience applying creative problem-solving frameworks.

• Material Design (Android) & Human Interface Guidelines (iOS): Solid understanding of platform-specific design principles.

• Sketch: Proficiency in using Sketch for UI design and prototyping.

• Presentation Software: Competency with tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides for presenting design concepts.

• Collaboration: Proactive engagement in open collaboration with designers, squad members, and stakeholders.

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly and listen effectively.

• AI Tools: Hands-on experience experimenting with AI tools and a curiosity to integrate them into daily work.

Preferred Skills:

• Prototyping Software: Experience with tools like InVision.

• HTML & CSS: Basic understanding to facilitate communication with development teams.

• UX Design: Broader understanding of user experience principles beyond UI.

• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with working in agile development environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific tools like Sketch and InVision, along with platform guidelines, points to a practical, hands-on role. The inclusion of "AI Tools" and a "natural curiosity to weave them into your everyday work" signifies a forward-looking expectation, potentially requiring candidates to demonstrate adaptability and a proactive approach to learning new technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong background in UI design, demonstrating a range of projects from concept to completion.

• Case studies that highlight your role in problem-solving, design process, and the impact of your design solutions on user experience and business metrics.

• Examples of wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate design intent and functionality.

• Visual examples of design systems, style guides, or adherence to platform-specific design guidelines (Material Design, HIG).

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the design process, from user research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and implementation.

• Showcase how you have used Design Thinking or similar methodologies to tackle complex user problems.

• Provide examples of how you have iterated on designs based on user feedback and testing results.

• Illustrate your approach to integrating AI tools within your design workflow to enhance efficiency or explore new possibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should be prepared to present detailed case studies that not only showcase visual design skills but also their strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of the end-to-end design process, including the practical application of AI.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

While a specific salary range is not provided, based on industry standards for a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in major New Zealand cities (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch), the estimated annual salary range is NZD $110,000 - $160,000. This estimate considers the seniority of the role, the company's standing as a major tech employer in NZ, and the cost of living in these urban centers.

Benefits:

• Flexibility: Support for flexible working arrangements, including a home office setup and utilities allowance.

• Wellness: Comprehensive resources for physical and mental wellbeing.

• Leave: 5 days of wellness leave annually, and 10 days of sick leave from day one.

• Social & Team: Company-paid lunches on payday, regular Friday drinks and nibbles, annual company awards, and celebrations.

• Learning & Development: Opportunities for on-the-job learning, formal training, and mentoring.

• Internal Mobility: Emphasis on internal career progression and opportunities.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid model, requiring presence in the office on Mondays and at least one other day per week, offering flexibility for the remaining days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is quite comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being, flexibility, and professional development, which are attractive aspects for senior talent. The hybrid model is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Online Marketplaces, Technology. Trade Me is a leading online marketplace in New Zealand, connecting buyers and sellers across various categories, playing a significant role in the daily lives of Kiwis.

Company Size: Trade Me is a well-established company with a significant employee base, likely in the range of 500-1000+ employees, indicating a mature organizational structure with opportunities for diverse cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Trade Me was founded in 1999, giving it a long history and a deep understanding of the New Zealand market. This longevity suggests a stable environment with a strong brand presence and established processes.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely consists of a mix of Senior and Junior Designers, potentially organized into pods or squads that align with specific product areas or business units.

• The Senior Product Designer will report to a Product Lead or Head of Design, with direct mentorship responsibilities for junior team members.

Methodology:

• Design processes are expected to be user-centric, likely incorporating elements of Design Thinking, Agile methodologies, and data-driven decision-making.

• A strong emphasis is placed on iterative design, user testing, and incorporating feedback throughout the product development lifecycle.

• The integration of AI tools suggests a commitment to exploring and leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance both the design process and the end product.

Company Website: https://www.trademe.co.nz/

📝 Enhancement Note: Trade Me's culture appears to value innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being. The integration of AI and a focus on continuous learning are key indicators of a progressive work environment, particularly relevant for a Senior Product Designer role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, signifying a level of expertise and autonomy. It involves not only individual contribution but also leadership, mentorship, and strategic input into product design direction. The role is expected to influence design standards and practices within the team and potentially across broader product initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Product Lead, Head of Design, or a similar senior design management position. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within their assigned product squads. There is also an expectation to mentor and guide more junior designers.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work directly impacts the user experience of Trade Me's platform, influencing customer engagement, satisfaction, and conversion rates. By designing intuitive and effective solutions, they contribute to the company's core mission of connecting Kiwis and driving business value through its marketplace. Their input is crucial in shaping the product roadmap and ensuring it meets both user needs and strategic business goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior team members, and potentially move into team lead or management positions within the design function.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of product design, such as interaction design, user research, or AI-driven design.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain broader experience by working on diverse product areas and collaborating with various departments, enhancing understanding of the overall business.

• Continuous Learning: Access to formal training, workshops, and industry events to stay abreast of the latest design trends, tools, and technologies, including AI.

• Internal Mobility: Trade Me's commitment to internal mobility provides pathways to explore different roles or product areas within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for experienced designers looking to expand their leadership capabilities, influence product strategy, and stay at the cutting edge of design technology, particularly with the focus on AI.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Trade Me operates with a hybrid work model, meaning the office environment is designed for collaboration, team meetings, and focused work when employees are on-site. It is likely a modern, open-plan or flexible workspace designed to foster interaction.

Office Location(s): The role is available in multiple key New Zealand cities: Auckland (Level 4, 155 Fanshawe Street), Wellington (Level 5, 2 Market Lane), and Christchurch (Level 3, 133 Cashel Street). This offers geographical flexibility for candidates.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is intended to facilitate collaboration, team connection, and in-person working sessions, particularly on designated "anchor" days like Mondays.

• Employees are provided with a home office setup and utilities allowance, supporting effective remote work.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology is assumed, with an emphasis on modern design software and experimentation with AI tools.

• Opportunities for informal interactions, such as Friday drinks and nibbles, contribute to a positive and connected team atmosphere.

Work Schedule: A hybrid work arrangement is in place, requiring a minimum of two days in the office per week (Mondays plus one other day). The remaining days offer flexibility for remote work, allowing for a balance between in-person collaboration and focused individual work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and company-provided home office support indicate a commitment to providing a productive and balanced work environment. The multiple office locations offer geographic choice within New Zealand.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A discussion focusing on your experience, design philosophy, problem-solving skills, and understanding of user-centered design principles. This may include behavioral questions.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study Review: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, walking through 1-2 key case studies that demonstrate your design process, decision-making, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges, and outcomes.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Manager, Engineer) to assess your communication, collaboration style, and ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design) to discuss strategic fit, career aspirations, and overall cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (including research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your design decisions, and the measurable outcomes or learnings.

• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you worked with others, integrated feedback, and navigated stakeholder feedback.

• Demonstrate Process, Not Just Pixels: While visual appeal is important, focus on explaining the "why" behind your design choices.

• AI Integration: If applicable, showcase projects where you experimented with or integrated AI tools, explaining the rationale and benefits.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, how you handle constructive criticism, and your understanding of Trade Me's users and business.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design exercise or a more in-depth discussion about a hypothetical design challenge related to Trade Me's platform.

• Focus on articulating your thought process clearly and methodically, even if you don't reach a perfect solution.

• Demonstrate your ability to ask clarifying questions, consider different constraints, and propose a well-reasoned approach.

• Practice explaining complex design concepts simply and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio presentation and case studies is critical. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to articulate their design journey, decision-making process, and the tangible impact of their work, with specific attention to how they integrate modern tools like AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Sketch: The core tool for UI design and wireframing. Proficiency is essential.

• Prototyping Software: InVision or similar tools for creating interactive prototypes.

• Collaboration Tools: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence for team communication and project management.

• Presentation Software: Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides for presenting design concepts and reports.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Emerging Technology:

• AI Tools: Explicitly mentioned as a requirement. Proficiency or demonstrable experience experimenting with AI tools for design ideation, content generation, or workflow enhancement is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack leans heavily on industry-standard design tools, with a clear emphasis on Sketch. The inclusion of AI tools signals a requirement to be adaptable and forward-thinking in embracing new technologies within the design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Trade Me's users.

• Collaboration: A strong belief in working together across teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Curiosity & Learning: Encouraging an open mind towards new technologies (like AI) and a continuous drive for personal and professional growth.

• Empathy: Fostering an environment where team members strive to understand diverse perspectives and user needs objectively.

• Organization & Delivery: Valuing effective time management and the ability to deliver on commitments reliably.

• "Trade Me Way": An expectation to contribute to the company's unique culture, likely characterized by approachability, Kiwi ingenuity, and a focus on connecting people.

Collaboration Style:

• Open and Proactive: Team members are expected to actively seek collaboration with designers, squad members, and stakeholders.

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and UX Researchers to ensure alignment and shared understanding throughout the product lifecycle.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages open feedback exchange and constructive criticism to improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes collaboration, continuous learning, and a user-first approach, with a notable emphasis on integrating AI and fostering empathy. This suggests a dynamic and supportive environment for designers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Effectively translating complex user problems into solutions that also meet Trade Me's business objectives.

• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Finding practical and impactful ways to incorporate AI tools into the design workflow without compromising user experience or creating unnecessary complexity.

• Mentoring Junior Designers: Providing effective guidance and feedback to support the growth of less experienced team members while managing own project responsibilities.

• Navigating Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in design tools, methodologies, and AI capabilities.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent design vision and implementation across diverse teams with potentially differing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Skill Development: Dedicated opportunities to learn and experiment with AI tools relevant to design, fostering innovation and efficiency.

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in areas like interaction design, user research, and prototyping through formal training or workshops.

• Leadership Skills: Developing mentorship and team leadership capabilities through practical experience and potential training programs.

• Industry Exposure: Attending conferences, webinars, and internal knowledge-sharing sessions to stay current with design trends and best practices.

• Career Pathing: Clear pathways for internal mobility and growth within Trade Me, allowing for exploration of different roles or specializations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of established e-commerce design and emerging AI technologies, offering significant challenges and rewarding growth prospects for ambitious designers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: Be ready to walk through a specific project where you identified a user problem, your approach to solving it (including research, ideation, prototyping), and the outcome. Explain how you use Design Thinking.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Prepare examples of how you've worked with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders, especially when there were differing opinions or challenges. How do you communicate design decisions effectively?

• AI Integration: Be prepared to discuss your experience or ideas for using AI in the design process. What tools have you explored, and what potential benefits or challenges do you see?

• Mentorship: If asked about mentoring, describe your approach to providing feedback and supporting the development of junior designers.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Trade Me Knowledge: Research Trade Me's platform, its market position in New Zealand, and its user base. Think about potential design challenges or opportunities specific to their services.

• Cultural Fit: Reflect on the company's values (collaboration, curiosity, empathy) and prepare examples of how you embody these in your work.

• Hybrid Work: Be ready to discuss how you thrive in a hybrid work environment and maintain productivity and team connection.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem, your solution, and the measurable results or learnings from your chosen case studies. Quantify impact where possible.

• Showcase Your Process: Don't just show final screens; explain the journey, the decisions made, and the rationale behind them.

• Highlight AI Experimentation: If you have relevant examples, be ready to discuss how you've experimented with AI tools and what you learned.

• Be Authentic: Speak genuinely about your passion for design and your approach to problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: Thorough preparation of your portfolio case studies, with a clear narrative and emphasis on impact and process, is paramount. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools and how you approach collaboration and mentorship.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Trade Me careers site.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your UI design expertise, problem-solving skills, and experience with modern tools, including AI. Ensure case studies clearly articulate the problem, your process, your solutions, and the impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly showcase your 5+ years of relevant design experience, specific skills (Sketch, prototyping, AI tools, Material/HIG guidelines), and achievements. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clarity, and demonstrating your design process. Prepare answers to common interview questions related to design challenges, collaboration, and AI integration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Trade Me's platform, values, and recent news. Consider how your skills and experience can contribute to their mission and culture.

⚠️ 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.