Senior Product Designer:in (d/w/m)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (f/m/d)
Company: Candis GmbH
Location: Berlin, Germany
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Product Design / UX/UI
Date Posted: May 22, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior (2-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design of core product functionalities, directly impacting user experience and daily workflows within a dynamic fintech environment.
• Lead user research, discovery processes, and prototype testing to translate complex financial and ERP-related challenges into intuitive and user-friendly solutions.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Developers to ensure seamless integration of design concepts and technical feasibility.
• Champion the use and evolution of design systems to maintain consistency and scalability across the product.
• Contribute to a culture that values design as a strategic element, driving innovation in areas like automation, AI, and workflow optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a dedicated design voice within the "Spice Bandits" team, emphasizing the need for an individual to structure and lead design initiatives from discovery through to release. The focus on complex B2B financial/ERP workflows indicates a need for strong problem-solving skills and an ability to abstract intricate processes into user-centric designs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct user interviews and discovery sessions to deeply understand user needs and pain points within the financial and ERP landscape.
• Develop and test prototypes for new features and improvements, iterating based on user feedback and technical constraints.
• Design intuitive user flows and interfaces for complex functionalities such as automation, triggers, approvals, and role-based permissions.
• Contribute to and leverage the company's design system to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability of the product.
• Collaborate effectively with Product Managers to define product strategy and with Software Engineers to ensure accurate and high-quality implementation of designs.
• Translate technical limitations and possibilities into design considerations, working pragmatically with the development team.
• Actively participate in strategic product discussions, bringing a user-centric perspective to feature prioritization and roadmap planning.
• Identify opportunities for design innovation that can enhance user experience, drive adoption, and support business growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant strategic input. The emphasis on "complex processes into simple, intuitive solutions" and working with "technologies like AI, automations, conditions, roles and permissions" points to a need for a designer adept at navigating intricate B2B workflows. The goal of having "first releases of your work" within six months underscores the expectation of tangible output and impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While formal education is not strictly prioritized ("Don't worry about formalities"), a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is generally expected for a Senior Product Designer role.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in Product Design, UX Design, or UI Design, with a proven track record of designing and launching successful digital products. Experience in fast-paced environments like startups is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Product Design & UX/UI: Strong proficiency in end-to-end product design, from concept and user research to wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design.
• User Research: Demonstrated ability to conduct user interviews, usability testing, and other research methods to gather actionable insights.
• Design Systems: Experience with creating, maintaining, or extensively using design systems for consistency and scalability.
• User Flows & Wireframing: Skill in mapping out complex user journeys and creating clear, effective wireframes.
• Prototyping: Proficiency with prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to create interactive mockups for stakeholder and user feedback.
• Collaboration: Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to work effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Technical Understanding: Aptitude to understand technical constraints and collaborate with developers to find feasible design solutions.
• Aesthetic Sensibility & Detail Orientation: A keen eye for visual design, typography, layout, and micro-interactions, coupled with meticulous attention to detail.
• Complex Problem Solving: Ability to break down complex problems and design elegant, user-centric solutions.
• Iterative Design: Comfort and skill in working in an iterative design process, incorporating feedback and adapting designs.
• Language Proficiency: Fluent German (native level) and English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Skills:

• Automation, Triggers, Approvals, Workflows: Experience designing interfaces for complex business process automation tools.
• B2B Experience: Prior experience designing products for business customers.
• Finance/ERP Domain Experience: Familiarity with the intricacies of financial software, accounting processes, or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Start-up Experience: Adaptability and a proactive mindset gained from working in a startup environment.
• AI Integration: Experience or understanding of how AI can be integrated into product workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "native" German and English proficiency, along with specific experience in B2B, Finance, or ERP, strongly suggests that the company is looking for a candidate who can immediately contribute to their specific market and customer base without extensive onboarding on industry specifics. The "bonus points" indicate areas where candidates can differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your product design process from problem identification to solution implementation and impact.
• Problem-Solving: Clearly articulate the business and user problems you addressed, your design approach, and the rationale behind your decisions.
• User-Centricity: Highlight how user research informed your design process and how you incorporated user feedback.
• System Integration: Demonstrate experience with design systems, explaining how you maintained consistency and scalability.
• Technical Collaboration: Provide examples of how you collaborated with developers to ensure technical feasibility and successful implementation.
• Impact & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your designs where possible, using metrics related to user engagement, conversion rates, efficiency gains, or customer satisfaction.

Process Documentation:

• Discovery & Ideation: Evidence of your methods for user research, ideation sessions, and concept development.
• Wireframing & Prototyping: Examples of wireframes and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and functionality.
• UI Design & Iteration: Showcase high-fidelity designs and explain how they evolved through iterative feedback loops.
• Design System Contributions: If applicable, illustrate contributions to or usage of design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on complex B2B workflows and the desire for tangible output within six months, a portfolio that clearly demonstrates a structured, iterative, and user-centric design process is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their thought process, decision-making, and collaboration strategies within their portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer (2-5 years experience) in Berlin, Germany, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €60,000 and €85,000 annually, depending on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: Commensurate with experience and skills.
• Equity/Stock Options: Often offered in startups to align employee success with company growth.
• Professional Development: Budget for training, conferences, and workshops to foster continuous learning.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance, potentially including dental and vision.
• Work-Life Balance: Emphasis on sustainable work practices, with potential for flexible working arrangements (though this role is specified as on-site).
• Team Events & Socials: Opportunities to bond with colleagues and build team camaraderie.
• Modern Office Environment: A well-equipped workspace in a central Berlin location.
• Impactful Work: The opportunity to shape a core product and see direct results of your contributions.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, common in Germany. While this role is on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team coordination and operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior" title and the Berlin location, the salary estimation is benchmarked against industry standards for tech roles in major German cities. Benefits are inferred based on typical offerings for a growing fintech startup in this market.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech / Software / Accounting Technology (SaaS) Company Size: Candis GmbH is a growing startup. While the exact number isn't specified, startup environments typically range from a few dozen to a few hundred employees. This size implies a dynamic, agile, and often collaborative atmosphere where individual impact is significant. Founded: The company was likely founded in the mid-2010s or later, given its focus on modern fintech solutions. This suggests a relatively young company with a forward-thinking approach.

Team Structure:

• "Spice Bandits" Team: This role is part of a specific team, indicating a structured departmentalization within the company. The name suggests a potentially informal and spirited team dynamic.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role explicitly requires close collaboration with Product Managers and Developers, indicating a highly cross-functional and integrated working model.
• Reporting: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a similar senior role, with direct interaction across engineering and product management.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: Expect an agile development methodology, emphasizing iterative improvements, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.
• User-Centric Design: The company emphasizes understanding users and translating complex needs into simple solutions, indicating a strong user-centric design philosophy.
• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated, data from user research and product analytics is likely used to inform design and product decisions.
• Focus on Efficiency & Sustainability: The company aims to improve workflows and reduce paper consumption, highlighting a drive for operational efficiency and sustainability.

Company Website: https://jobs.candis.io

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Spice Bandits" team name suggests a culture that isn't overly formal, encouraging a more collaborative and perhaps energetic atmosphere. The emphasis on improving workflows and reducing paper consumption points to a company that values efficiency and environmental responsibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Senior Product Designer" role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy beyond a junior or mid-level designer. It implies ownership of significant product areas, the ability to mentor others, and a strategic contribution to the design function.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product or Design Lead, working very closely with Product Managers and Software Engineers. This structure facilitates direct impact and rapid iteration cycles.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on the core product's usability and functionality. By simplifying complex financial and ERP workflows, the designer directly influences customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and overall business efficiency for Candis's clients. This strategic impact is crucial for a B2B SaaS company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Head of Design role as the company scales, taking on more strategic oversight and team management.
• Specialization: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in B2B fintech, ERP integrations, or specific areas like automation design.
• Mentorship: Chance to mentor junior designers and contribute to building a strong design culture within the company.
• Strategic Influence: Deeper involvement in product strategy, roadmap planning, and defining the future direction of Candis's offerings.
• Skill Expansion: Exposure to cutting-edge technologies like AI and advanced automation, allowing for continuous skill development in a high-demand area.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation implies a trajectory towards leadership or deep specialization. The growth opportunities focus on both expanding design responsibilities and contributing to the company's strategic direction, aligning with typical career paths in growing tech startups.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site," implying a physical office presence in Berlin. This suggests a traditional office setup designed for collaboration. Office Location(s): Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 5, 10178 Berlin, Germany. This is a central location in Berlin, likely offering good connectivity and access to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is expected to foster direct interaction and collaboration with Product Managers, Developers, and other team members.
• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design software, hardware, and potentially specialized tools for user research and prototyping.
• Team Integration: Being on-site allows for spontaneous brainstorming, quick feedback sessions, and a stronger sense of team cohesion.
• Focus on Design: The presence of a dedicated design role suggests that the workspace will support creative work, potentially with dedicated areas or an atmosphere conducive to focused design thinking.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) with an on-site requirement. While the core hours are fixed, there might be some flexibility in daily start/end times to accommodate personal needs, provided team collaboration isn't compromised.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a central Berlin location suggests an environment that values in-person collaboration and team synergy, typical for many growing startups looking to build a strong company culture and facilitate rapid iteration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely Head of Product or Design Lead) to delve into your experience, design philosophy, and motivations.
• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study Review: A dedicated session where you present one or two key case studies from your portfolio, explaining your process, challenges, and outcomes. This is often a critical stage.
• Technical/Team Interview: A session with Product Managers and/or Developers to assess your technical understanding, collaboration skills, and how you approach complex design problems within a team context.
• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a company founder or senior leader to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the results.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (sketches, wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your design process and final outcomes.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Highlight how your designs solved user problems and contributed to business goals.
• Process Transparency: Be prepared to discuss your decision-making process, trade-offs you made, and how you handled feedback or challenges.
• Tailor to Candis: Emphasize projects that showcase your ability to handle complexity, design for B2B, or work with financial/ERP-like systems. Highlight your German and English fluency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home design challenge or an in-person whiteboarding exercise focused on a realistic problem Candis might face. This will likely involve problem definition, ideation, and sketching user flows/solutions.
• Problem Framing: Practice breaking down ambiguous problems and defining scope.
• Communication: Clearly articulate your thought process, assumptions, and design rationale during any live exercises.
• Technical Consideration: Be mindful of technical feasibility in your proposed solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on user research, design systems, and collaboration with PMs/Devs suggests that interviewers will be looking for evidence of a structured yet adaptable design process. The portfolio presentation is likely a key component where candidates demonstrate their ability to articulate complex design thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and startup adoption), Sketch, Adobe XD.
• User Research: Tools for conducting interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Typeform, or internal tools).
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior and product usage.
• Data Visualization: Potentially tools for presenting data insights, although this may be handled by PMs or data analysts.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: While not directly a design tool, understanding how designs integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can be beneficial.
• Automation: Familiarity with workflow automation concepts is a plus, as the role involves designing for these features.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the industry standard for many modern design teams, especially in startups. Proficiency in this tool, along with a strong understanding of user research platforms and collaboration tools like Jira and Slack, is highly expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs, translating complex challenges into simple solutions.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing close partnerships with Product Management and Engineering to achieve shared goals.
• Ownership & Impact: Encouraging individuals to take ownership of their work and drive meaningful outcomes that contribute to company growth.
• Efficiency & Innovation: A drive to optimize processes, leverage technology (like AI and automation), and continuously improve the product.
• Detail-Oriented Execution: A focus on quality, aesthetics, and meticulous execution in design and development.
• Pragmatism: Balancing ideal design solutions with technical feasibility and business needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Design is integrated early and often into the product development lifecycle, working alongside PMs and Devs.
• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and honest feedback exchange within the team and across departments.
• Iterative Feedback: A culture that embraces feedback loops for continuous improvement of both the product and internal processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share learnings, best practices, and insights to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a blend of agile execution, user advocacy, and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, common in high-growth tech environments. The "Spice Bandits" team name might suggest a culture that enjoys challenges and strives for exciting outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: The primary challenge is translating intricate, often non-standardized B2B financial and ERP processes into intuitive user experiences.
• Balancing Needs: Striking the right balance between delivering short-term value and building for long-term scalability and extensibility.
• No Standard Solutions: Working in an area where pre-defined, "off-the-shelf" design patterns may not exist, requiring creative problem-solving.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring all stakeholders (PMs, Devs, potentially Sales/Support) are aligned on design decisions and priorities.
• Startup Pace: Adapting to the fast-paced, sometimes ambiguous nature of a startup environment with evolving priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the accounting, finance, and ERP sectors.
• Advanced Design Skills: Developing expertise in designing for complex workflows, automation, and potentially AI-driven features.
• Strategic Product Thinking: Contributing to product strategy and roadmap development, moving beyond pure execution.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and grow into leadership roles.
• Industry Exposure: Participating in relevant industry events or training focused on Fintech, B2B SaaS, and UX design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to B2B SaaS product design, especially in specialized verticals like finance. The growth opportunities are aligned with developing both deep technical/domain expertise and broader strategic product leadership skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex B2B workflow. What was the challenge, how did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact.)
• "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and business goals? Can you provide an example?" (Assess pragmatism and collaboration.)
• "Explain your process for conducting user research and how you integrate those findings into your designs." (Evaluate user-centricity and research methodology.)
• "How do you approach working with a design system? Have you contributed to one?" (Gauge understanding of design system principles and scalability.)
• "Imagine we need to design a new feature for automating invoice approvals. Walk us through your initial design thinking process." (Test on-the-spot problem-solving and ideation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Candis and our mission?" (Show you've researched the company and align with its goals.)
• "How do you typically collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers?" (Assess communication and teamwork.)
• "What are your thoughts on the challenges of designing for the finance/ERP industry?" (Demonstrate industry awareness.)
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices?" (Show commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Choose Wisely: Select 2-3 case studies that best showcase your relevant skills (complexity, B2B, user research, design systems).
• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem, Your Role, Process, Solution, and Results (quantified where possible).
• Visuals are Key: Use high-quality visuals (sketches, wireframes, mockups, interactive prototypes) to illustrate your journey.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your decisions, trade-offs, and learnings.
• Connect to Candis: Where possible, draw parallels between your past work and Candis's challenges or product. Highlight your German/English fluency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will likely focus on assessing your structured approach to design, your ability to handle complexity, and your collaborative spirit. Be prepared to articulate your thought process clearly and demonstrate how your skills align with Candis's specific needs in the B2B fintech space.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the official Candis GmbH careers portal at https://jobs.candis.io.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating your experience with complex B2B workflows, user research, design systems, and collaboration with development teams. Tailor your presentation to highlight projects relevant to financial or ERP-like processes if possible.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly highlight your years of experience, specific skills (Product Design, UX/UI, User Research, Design Systems), and any B2B, Finance, or ERP domain knowledge. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on storytelling and quantifying impact. Prepare answers to common product design and behavioral interview questions, and research Candis's product and mission thoroughly.
• Company Research: Understand Candis's business model, target audience, and the challenges they aim to solve in the accounting and bookkeeping space. Familiarize yourself with their current product offering.

⚠️ 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.