Staff Product Designer, Item Navigation - (Quick Commerce)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Product Designer, Item Navigation - (Quick Commerce) Company: Delivery Hero Location: Berlin, Germany Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX (with GTM implications) Date Posted: August 28, 2025 Experience Level: Senior/Staff (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This Staff Product Designer role focuses on enhancing the item discovery and navigation experience within the Quick Commerce vertical, directly impacting customer engagement and conversion rates.
• The position involves deep collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, and ML teams to design systems that leverage complex algorithms and data for personalized product ranking and efficient browsing.
• A key aspect is acting as a design leader, influencing product strategy, establishing best practices, and ensuring a consistent user experience across global platforms while driving experimentation and data-driven decision-making.
• The role demands strong systems thinking and the ability to translate technical complexities, such as ranking models and data pipelines, into intuitive and user-centered solutions that drive business growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is in Product Design, its focus on customer discovery, personalization, and the impact of ranking/navigation systems on conversion and revenue makes it highly relevant to Go-To-Market (GTM) operations. Success in this role directly contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the sales and marketing efforts by improving the customer's path to purchase. The emphasis on data science and ML integration also points to a need for understanding how operational data can inform and optimize the front-end customer experience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design strategy and execution for the Item Navigation domain within the Quick Commerce Merchandising Tribe, focusing on improving catalog browsing and product discovery.
• Partner closely with Senior Product Managers and Engineering Leads to define and deliver innovative solutions for ranking and navigation, ensuring alignment with broader domain strategies (Content, Assortment, Promotions).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Data Scientists, Data Engineers, and ML Engineers to understand and translate complex algorithmic capabilities and system logic into user-friendly interfaces.
• Act as a design leader and connector to global platform teams, fostering a collaborative ecosystem, sharing knowledge, and establishing best practices for implementing and testing central ranking solutions.
• Design and analyze large-scale experiments in partnership with Product Analytics and Data Science to uncover user behavior patterns and derive actionable insights for design improvements.
• Develop and champion a holistic vision for the end-to-end item discovery experience, utilizing service blueprints and journey maps to ensure a unified and intelligent customer experience across all global entities.
• Communicate design vision, rationale, and complex system impacts effectively through compelling narratives and persuasive deliverables to align technical and non-technical stakeholders and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a significant focus on system design and technical collaboration, which is crucial for operations roles. The expectation to translate complex algorithmic capabilities into user experiences suggests a need for understanding operational constraints and how system design impacts efficiency and scalability. The emphasis on experimentation and data analysis aligns with core operations principles of continuous improvement and performance measurement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5-10 years of extensive experience in product design, with a strong emphasis on data-rich products for mobile applications and web. Proven experience in designing complex systems such as personalization, search, or recommendation engines.

Required Skills:

• Product Design: Expertise in user-centered design principles, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design for digital products.
• Systems Thinking: Ability to understand and design for complex, interconnected systems, including data pipelines and algorithmic logic.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, including with Data Scientists, Engineers, and Product Managers.
• Data Analysis & Experimentation: Strong grasp of quantitative data analysis, A/B testing methodologies, and translating insights into strategic design decisions.
• Technical Collaboration: Experience working in highly technical environments and engaging in discussions about machine learning, algorithms, and system architecture.
• Leadership & Influence: Ability to lead through influence, build consensus across distributed teams, and drive design practices through strong narratives and analytical rigor.
• UX Communication: Excellent storytelling capabilities, with the ability to articulate complex design rationales and visions persuasively to diverse stakeholders.
• User-Centered Design: A portfolio demonstrating a deep commitment to user needs and research.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address intricate design challenges.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design execution and documentation.
• English Fluency: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in e-commerce, quick commerce, or marketplace environments (B2B - B2C).
• Direct experience designing for ranking, personalization, or search algorithms.
• Familiarity with B2B tooling for assortment and content management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills strongly emphasize analytical capabilities, technical collaboration, and systems thinking, which are core competencies for operations professionals. The preference for e-commerce and B2B tooling experience further solidifies the operational context of this design role. The ability to translate technical concepts into user experiences requires an understanding of how operational processes and data flow through systems.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design process, from problem definition to launch and iteration.
• Demonstrations of work on complex systems like personalization, search, recommendation engines, or ranking algorithms, highlighting the impact on user behavior and business metrics.
• Case studies that articulate system design thinking, detailing how user needs were balanced with technical constraints and algorithmic capabilities.
• Evidence of collaboration with data science and engineering teams, showcasing contributions to technical discussions and system logic integration.
• Examples of data-driven design decisions, including the methodology used to analyze quantitative data and the results of experimentation (A/B testing).
• Presentation of how user research and data insights were synthesized to inform design solutions and drive measurable improvements in user engagement or conversion.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase of experience in creating journey maps, service blueprints, and other artifacts to visualize complex user flows and system interactions.
• Examples of how design processes were adapted to fast-paced, experimental environments, including the rapid iteration and validation of design concepts.
• Documentation of how best practices for design implementation and testing were established and disseminated across distributed teams.
• Evidence of designing for scalability and consistency across multiple global entities, demonstrating an understanding of system architecture and platform nuances.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating an understanding of complex systems, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration—all critical for operations roles. The emphasis on process documentation, such as journey maps and service blueprints, aligns with the operational need for clear, repeatable, and scalable processes. Demonstrating experience with experimentation and iteration also points to an operations mindset focused on continuous improvement.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a Staff Product Designer in Berlin, Germany, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is typically between €70,000 and €95,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major tech hubs like Berlin, considering the company's scale and the specialized nature of quick commerce and AI-driven systems.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Offers flexibility with 2 days per week in the Berlin campus for in-person collaboration.
• Paid Time Off: 27 days of holiday, with an additional day granted after 2 and 3 years of service.
• Professional Development: €1,000 annual Educational Budget, access to language courses, parental support, and a Udemy Business platform subscription for online learning.
• Health & Wellness: Health check-ups, meditation resources, and a gym/bicycle subsidy.
• Financial Benefits: Employee Share Purchase Plan, Sabbatical Bank, public transportation ticket discount, life and accident insurance, and a corporate pension plan.
• Meal & Food Benefits: Digital meal vouchers, food vouchers, and corporate discounts.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility often provided within the hybrid model to balance personal and professional commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on publicly available data for senior Product Designers in Berlin, Germany, considering the tech industry and specific responsibilities. The extensive list of benefits reflects a comprehensive package designed to support employee well-being, professional growth, and financial security, which are key considerations for attracting and retaining talent in specialized roles. The hybrid work arrangement with a specified number of office days is a common operational consideration for team cohesion and collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Local Delivery Platform / E-commerce) Company Size: Large (Delivery Hero operates in over 70+ countries and is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with a significant employee base). Founded: 2011 (Delivery Hero has established itself as a major player in the global delivery market.)

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Merchandising Tribe, specifically focusing on the Quick Commerce (QC) segment.
• You will be part of a cross-functional team dedicated to Item Navigation, working closely with Product Management, Engineering (including Data Engineers and ML Engineers), and Data Science.
• Collaboration extends to other domains like Content, Assortment, and Promotions, and globally to platform teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong emphasis on quantitative data analysis, experimentation (A/B testing), and translating insights into actionable design improvements.
• Agile & Iterative Development: The culture supports continuous experimentation and rapid iteration to optimize user experiences and business outcomes.
• Systems Design Focus: A significant part of the work involves understanding and designing for complex, interconnected systems and algorithms.
• Federated Design Approach: Encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration with global design teams to maintain consistency and leverage collective expertise.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Delivery Hero's culture is characterized by a fast-paced, tech-driven environment focused on innovation and impact. The company's global presence and large scale mean that operational efficiency, scalability, and cross-functional alignment are paramount. The emphasis on data and experimentation aligns with operational best practices for continuous improvement and performance optimization. The "move fast, take action and adapt" ethos suggests a dynamic and responsive operational environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Staff-level position, indicating a senior individual contributor role with significant influence and responsibility. It signifies a transition beyond executing tasks to shaping strategy, mentoring others, and tackling ambiguous, high-impact problems within the operations of product discovery.

Reporting Structure: The Staff Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product Design or a Director of Product within the Merchandising Tribe. They will form a strategic triad with dedicated Senior Product Managers and Engineering Leads, indicating a collaborative leadership dynamic.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on revenue growth by improving the customer's ability to find and purchase products within the quick commerce ecosystem. By optimizing item navigation and ranking, the designer influences conversion rates, average order value, and overall customer satisfaction, all critical operational metrics for e-commerce businesses.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Opportunity to grow into a principal or lead design role, managing larger product areas or leading design initiatives across multiple teams.
• Domain Specialization: Deepen expertise in quick commerce, merchandising systems, AI/ML-driven personalization, and ranking algorithms.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop stronger skills in collaborating with data science, ML engineering, and business strategy, enhancing understanding of the operational levers that drive e-commerce success.
• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design practice within Delivery Hero.
• Strategic Influence: Influence product roadmaps and company-wide design standards for customer discovery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential within the product design and operations sphere. The Staff level implies a trajectory towards leadership and strategic input, directly impacting the operational efficiency of customer acquisition and retention through improved product discovery. The emphasis on technical collaboration and data science provides a strong foundation for understanding the operational backbone of e-commerce platforms.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Delivery Hero operates a modern office environment, as evidenced by their "beautiful Berlin campus." The hybrid working model suggests a blend of focused individual work at home and collaborative team interaction in the office.

Office Location(s): The primary location mentioned is Berlin, Germany, the company's headquarters.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Berlin office likely serves as a hub for cross-functional collaboration, team meetings, workshops, and brainstorming sessions, especially for the 2 days a week spent in the office.
• Technology-Enabled: Access to modern design tools, collaboration software, and potentially advanced hardware to support complex design and data analysis tasks.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and fellow designers, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model allows for flexibility. Employees are expected to be in the office 2 days a week, likely aligning with team cadences for key meetings and collaborative work. The remaining days can be worked remotely, allowing for focused design work and analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is a significant operational consideration, balancing the need for focused individual work with the benefits of in-person collaboration for complex problem-solving and team cohesion. Understanding how to optimize productivity in both settings is key for success in such a role. The emphasis on a "campus" environment suggests a well-equipped and supportive workspace designed for innovation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A core part of the process will involve presenting your portfolio, discussing your design process, and potentially undertaking a design exercise or case study related to item navigation, ranking, or discovery challenges. Expect to be asked about how you would approach a specific problem space.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and Data Scientists to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work with complex systems and data.
• Staff-Level/Leadership Interview: An interview focused on strategic thinking, leadership potential, ability to influence, and how you handle ambiguity and drive impact at a senior level.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, VP) to confirm overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Clearly articulate how you approached complex systems, data, and algorithms. Showcase your process for translating technical constraints into user-centric solutions.
• Showcase Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs using metrics, data, and experiment results (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, engagement, task completion).
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Include examples of working with engineers, data scientists, and product managers, detailing your role and contributions within cross-functional teams.
• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies with a clear narrative: the problem, your process, the solution, and the outcome. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions.
• Focus on Relevance: Tailor your portfolio to highlight experiences most relevant to e-commerce, quick commerce, personalization, search, and data-driven product development.
• Be Prepared for Technical Depth: Anticipate questions about the technical feasibility of your designs and your understanding of underlying technologies like ML models and data pipelines.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize Yourself with Quick Commerce: Research current trends, challenges, and user behaviors in the quick commerce space.
• Understand Ranking & Personalization: Study principles of search algorithms, recommendation engines, and personalized ranking systems. Think about how these influence user experience.
• Practice Data Interpretation: Be ready to analyze mock data or experiment results and translate them into design recommendations.
• Develop Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design philosophy, problem-solving approach, and career aspirations clearly and concisely. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to evaluate not just design skills but also the candidate's ability to operate within a technical, data-driven, and collaborative environment. The portfolio review is critical for demonstrating systems thinking and quantifiable impact, aligning with the operational focus on measurable results. Preparation should emphasize understanding the business context and how design contributes to operational success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Principle, or similar industry-standard tools for UI design, wireframing, and interactive prototyping.
• User Research & Analytics: Tools for user testing (e.g., UserTesting.com), session recording (e.g., Hotjar), and qualitative feedback gathering.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Miro, Asana, or similar for team communication, task tracking, and collaborative ideation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Platforms: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or internal BI tools for analyzing user behavior, experiment results, and performance metrics.
• Data Visualization: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Looker, or Power BI for creating dashboards and reports to communicate insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how customer data flows and impacts personalization is key. Familiarity with CRM concepts and how they integrate with product experiences is beneficial.
• Experience with A/B testing platforms (e.g., Optimizely, VWO, Google Optimize) for experimentation is highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools is a baseline. The crucial aspect for this role, from an operations perspective, is the ability to leverage analytics and experimentation platforms. Understanding how to interpret data from these tools and translate it into design improvements is a core operational competency. Familiarity with collaboration and project management tools is also essential for efficient workflow management within cross-functional teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Impact: A core value is making decisions based on data and measurable outcomes, ensuring that design efforts directly contribute to business objectives and operational efficiency.
• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, ensuring that the product experience is intuitive, efficient, and delightful.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where open communication, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional teamwork are encouraged to achieve collective goals.
• Innovation & Agility: Embracing a mindset of continuous improvement, experimentation, and adaptation to market changes and technological advancements.
• Quality & Rigor: Upholding high standards in design execution, attention to detail, and the thoroughness of research and analysis.

Collaboration Style:

• Triad Partnership: Working in tight-knit triads with Product Management and Engineering Leads to drive product strategy and execution.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with Data Science, Data Engineering, and Global Platform teams to ensure cohesive product development and a unified user experience.
• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback through design critiques, experiment reviews, and regular check-ins.
• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing insights, best practices, and learnings with colleagues across the organization to elevate the overall design and product maturity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture emphasizes operational excellence through data, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The values directly translate into how operations are conducted – focusing on measurable impact, efficient processes, and cross-functional alignment. The collaborative style highlights the importance of effective communication and teamwork, which are foundational to successful operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity in Problem Spaces: Tackling undefined problem areas within item navigation and ranking requires strong analytical skills and the ability to define problems before solving them.
• Balancing Technical Constraints with User Needs: Designing for complex algorithmic systems while ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience presents a significant challenge.
• Influencing Global Teams: Driving consistent design practices and adoption of central solutions across diverse global platforms requires strong leadership and communication skills.
• Rapid Experimentation Cycles: Thriving in a culture of continuous, large-scale experimentation means adapting quickly, iterating designs, and managing multiple hypotheses simultaneously.
• Communicating "Invisible" Systems: Articulating the value and impact of complex, often unseen systems like ranking algorithms to a broad audience requires exceptional communication skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Data Science & ML Integration: Gain deeper insights into how machine learning models and data pipelines are designed and integrated into product experiences.
• E-commerce & Quick Commerce Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in the nuances of online retail, customer behavior, and operational strategies within the quick commerce sector.
• Global Product Strategy: Understand how to design for diverse markets and scale solutions across international platforms.
• Design Leadership Skills: Enhance capabilities in strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and influencing product roadmaps at a senior level.
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend relevant design, e-commerce, or data science conferences and pursue certifications to stay at the forefront of the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of senior roles in technology companies, requiring a blend of technical acumen, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills. The growth opportunities are focused on deepening expertise in areas critical to operations, such as data integration, e-commerce strategy, and leadership, providing a clear path for career advancement within the operations and product domains.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Product Strategy: "How would you approach defining the product strategy for improving item discovery in a quick commerce context, considering our existing ranking algorithms and merchandising goals?" (Prepare to discuss user research, competitive analysis, metric definition, and phased roadmaps.)
• Systems Design: "Describe a complex system you've designed, focusing on how you integrated algorithmic logic or data pipelines into the user experience. What were the trade-offs?" (Prepare a case study that highlights your systems thinking and technical collaboration.)
• Problem Solving: "Imagine a scenario where users are struggling to find specific product categories on our platform. How would you diagnose the problem, and what design solutions would you propose and test?" (Prepare to walk through your problem-solving framework, emphasizing data analysis and experimentation.)
• Cross-functional Collaboration: "How do you build strong relationships and influence stakeholders across Product, Engineering, and Data Science when working on complex, data-driven features?" (Prepare examples of successful collaborations and conflict resolution.)
• Data & Experimentation: "How do you use quantitative data and A/B testing to validate design decisions and drive product improvements? Walk me through an example." (Prepare to discuss your methodology for setting up experiments, analyzing results, and making data-informed design choices.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about Delivery Hero and the Quick Commerce space?" (Research the company's mission, recent news, and the market dynamics of quick commerce.)
• "How do you see your role as a Staff Designer contributing to our overall business objectives and operational efficiency?" (Connect your design impact to business outcomes like revenue growth and customer satisfaction.)
• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or distributed team environment." (Highlight your ability to collaborate effectively regardless of location.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio around 3-4 key projects that best showcase your skills in systems design, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration. For each project:
  • Problem Statement: Clearly define the user problem and business goal.
  • Your Role & Process: Detail your specific contributions and the design methodologies used.
  • Technical Collaboration: Explain how you worked with engineers and data scientists.
  • Data & Experimentation: Show how data informed your decisions and the results of any testing.
  • Outcome & Impact: Quantify the success of your solution with relevant metrics.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, focusing on the "why" behind your decisions and the impact you created.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time and focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.
• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals, mockups, prototypes, and data visualizations to support your narrative.
• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your process, decisions, and the challenges you faced.

Challenge Preparation:

• Quick Commerce Research: Understand the user journey, key features, and competitive landscape of quick commerce platforms.
• Ranking/Discovery Design Patterns: Study common patterns for product listing, filtering, sorting, and personalized recommendations.
• Data Interpretation: Practice interpreting hypothetical A/B test results or user analytics data to derive actionable insights.
• Systemic Thinking: Prepare to think about how changes in one part of the system (e.g., data input) might affect the user experience or other operational aspects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating operational competencies like strategic thinking, data utilization, and cross-functional collaboration, in addition to design skills. The emphasis on quantifying impact and articulating the "why" behind design decisions aligns directly with the operational need for measurable results and a clear understanding of business drivers.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating systems thinking, data-driven design, and collaboration with technical teams. Prioritize case studies relevant to e-commerce, search, or personalization.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize achievements and responsibilities related to complex product design, data analysis, A/B testing, and cross-functional teamwork, using keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions related to strategy, collaboration, and technical integration.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Delivery Hero, its quick commerce initiatives, and its company culture to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment during the interview stages.

⚠️ 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.