UX Designer (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (m/f/d) Company: Knauf Digital Location: München, Bavaria, Germany Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Date Posted: May 6, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end user experience design process for digital products within the construction materials industry.
• Conduct in-depth user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather actionable insights.
• Translate complex user needs and business objectives into intuitive user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes using industry-standard design tools.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, developers, and stakeholders to ensure design integrity and seamless implementation.
• Utilize analytics and user behavior data to iteratively improve user interfaces and overall product experience, fostering a culture of continuous optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus of this role is UX Design, the emphasis on user research, analytics interpretation, and collaboration with development teams positions it within the broader GTM (Go-To-Market) and Product Operations ecosystem. A strong candidate will demonstrate an understanding of how UX design directly impacts product adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead user research initiatives, employing qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover user pain points, motivations, and behaviors relevant to digital construction solutions.
• Develop comprehensive user personas, journey maps, and service blueprints to articulate user needs and inform strategic design decisions.
• Create detailed user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and visual design mockups that effectively communicate design concepts and interaction patterns.
• Plan, execute, and analyze results from usability testing sessions, iterating on designs based on feedback to optimize user experience and task completion rates.
• Partner closely with Product Management to define product requirements and with Engineering teams to ensure accurate and efficient implementation of UX/UI designs.
• Interpret user behavior data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude) to identify areas for improvement and validate design hypotheses.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across digital products.
• Present design concepts and research findings clearly and persuasively to cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Leverage analytics tools to interpret user behavior and adoption data, driving continuous improvement and informed design decisions" is a key indicator of a growing need for UX professionals to be data-literate and contribute to product analytics and GTM strategy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in UX Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• A strong, demonstrable portfolio showcasing user-centered design projects and problem-solving capabilities is essential.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a proven track record of designing and shipping successful digital products.
• Experience in a hybrid work environment, balancing in-office collaboration with remote work flexibility.

Required Skills:

• User Research: Proficient in conducting qualitative research (interviews, contextual inquiry) and quantitative research (surveys, data analysis).
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Expertise in creating user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.
• Design Tools: Mastery of industry-standard design and prototyping software such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision.
• Usability Testing: Experience in planning, executing, moderating, and analyzing usability tests.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret user data, analytics, and metrics to drive design decisions and measure impact.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with fluency in both English and German.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design systems and their implementation.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.
• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG).
• Experience in the building materials or construction industry, or B2B SaaS products.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and their impact on user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Knauf Digital GmbH" context, experience with B2B SaaS products and understanding of the construction industry's specific user needs and workflows would be highly advantageous, indicating a deeper understanding of the operational context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse user-centered design projects that demonstrate your end-to-end design process.
• Clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the methodologies used (research, ideation, testing), and the final solution.
• Highlight how user insights and data influenced your design decisions and led to measurable outcomes.
• Include examples of user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final UI designs.
• Demonstrate proficiency with your chosen design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

Process Documentation:

• For each project, provide a narrative that walks through your design thinking and decision-making process.
• Explain how you identified and addressed user pain points and business objectives.
• Detail your approach to user research, including methods and key findings.
• Describe your iteration process based on feedback from usability testing and stakeholder reviews.
• Quantify results where possible, using metrics like task success rates, conversion improvements, or user satisfaction scores.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role that involves collaboration with development and product teams, the portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate an understanding of the development lifecycle and how designs are translated into functional products. Highlighting collaboration in the portfolio is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level UX Designer in Munich, Germany, with 2-5 years of experience, the estimated annual gross salary range is €55,000 - €75,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the negotiation process.

Benefits:

• Security: Permanent employment contract within a stable, family-owned company.
• Flexibility: 30 days of vacation, special leave for specific occasions, flexible working hours with a broad time window, and weekly home office days.
• Health & Wellness: Active health promotion programs, access to a company doctor, and occupational health and safety support.
• Onboarding & Culture: Individual onboarding days, company and team events to foster integration and belonging.
• Career Development: Individual support for part-time studies, further education, and training opportunities.
• Perks: Discounts on well-known brands and reduced-price employee purchases.
• Sustainable Mobility: E-Bike leasing option for personal health and tax benefits.
• Relocation Support: Assistance for international candidates relocating to Germany.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The role offers flexibility with a broad time window for working hours and includes weekly home office days, supporting a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical market rates for a UX Designer in Munich with the specified experience level. Actual compensation will be determined by the company based on individual qualifications and final negotiation. The benefits package is comprehensive, indicating a strong focus on employee well-being and work-life balance, which is attractive to professionals in operations and design roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Building Materials Manufacturing (with a strong digital innovation arm). Knauf Digital GmbH operates within the technology sector, focusing on digital solutions for the construction industry. This unique intersection means the company values both established industry knowledge and cutting-edge technological innovation. Company Size: Knauf Group has 42,500 employees globally, with Knauf Digital GmbH representing a growing, agile innovation hub. This scale provides stability and resources, while the digital arm offers the dynamism of a tech-focused environment. Founded: The Knauf Group has a long-standing tradition, though Knauf Digital GmbH's specific founding date is not provided, it positions itself as the innovation hub shaping the future of construction through digital solutions.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: While not explicitly detailed, the UX Designer will likely be part of a product development team within Knauf Digital GmbH, collaborating with Product Managers, Software Engineers, and potentially other UX/UI designers or researchers.
• Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a similar management role within the digital division.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role heavily emphasizes collaboration with development teams and product management, indicating a highly integrated and communicative work environment where UX design is central to product strategy.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on using user research and analytics to drive decisions, indicating a data-informed approach to product development.
• Agile Workflows: The mention of working in cross-functional teams and ensuring seamless integration suggests an Agile or similar iterative development process.
• Customer-Centricity: The company values placing the customer at the center of actions, reinforcing a user-centric design and product development philosophy.

Company Website: https://career.knaufdigital.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual nature of Knauf (established building materials giant with a digital innovation hub) suggests a culture that values both stability and forward-thinking. For a UX Designer, this means understanding the foundational needs of a traditional industry while contributing to its digital transformation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Level UX Designer role, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It involves taking ownership of design projects, conducting independent research, and contributing significantly to product strategy without necessarily managing a team. The role is crucial for translating high-level business objectives into tangible user experiences that drive product adoption and customer satisfaction.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Product Manager, or Head of Digital Product within Knauf Digital GmbH. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while empowering autonomy in design execution. Collaboration with development teams is a key aspect, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills to navigate technical constraints and business goals.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the success of Knauf's digital products. By creating intuitive and effective user experiences, they influence product adoption rates, customer satisfaction, user retention, and ultimately, the perceived value and revenue generated by digital solutions. Their insights can inform product roadmaps and strategic business decisions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as user research, interaction design, or information architecture, potentially leading to a Senior UX Designer role.
• Leadership: Progress to a Senior UX Designer or Lead UX Designer position, mentoring junior designers and taking on more complex strategic initiatives.
• Product Management: Transition into a Product Management role, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product development processes.
• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop broader knowledge in product operations, GTM strategies, and data analytics through close collaboration.
• Industry Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in UX for the construction and building materials industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth pathways suggest that this role is not just about design execution but also about strategic contribution and potential leadership within the digital product space, aligning well with operations career development trajectories.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role is based in Munich, Germany, with a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work. This arrangement aims to balance the benefits of face-to-face teamwork with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): Landshuter Allee 10, 80637 München, Bavaria, Germany. This location in Munich provides access to a vibrant tech and business hub.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggests an open and communicative workspace designed to facilitate teamwork between UX designers, product managers, and developers.
• Tools & Technology: Expect access to modern design and collaboration tools necessary for effective UX work. The company is investing in digital solutions, implying a forward-thinking tech stack.
• Team Interaction: Regular team events and onboarding days are mentioned, indicating a focus on building strong team relationships and a positive work culture.

Work Schedule: The role involves approximately 40 working hours per week, with a flexible working time window. This allows for balancing personal needs with project deadlines and team collaboration, crucial for effective operations and design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and flexible hours are key considerations for professionals seeking work-life balance, especially those in operations-adjacent roles where data analysis and thoughtful design require focused time.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio. This stage focuses on assessing your foundational skills, experience, and alignment with the role's core requirements.
2. Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: You'll likely present your portfolio to a UX Lead or team members. Be prepared to walk through 1-2 key projects in detail, explaining your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Expect questions about your approach to user research, problem-solving, and collaboration.
3. Team/Cross-functional Interview: This may involve meeting with Product Managers and Developers to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate design into the development workflow. You might be asked to discuss how you handle design feedback or technical constraints.
4. Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Digital, CTO) to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential within Knauf Digital.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling stories with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process/solution), and end (outcome/impact).
• Process Over Polish: While visual quality matters, emphasize your thought process, research methodologies, and how you iterated based on feedback.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction) to demonstrate the business value of your designs.
• Tailor: Select projects that best align with the company's industry (B2B, construction tech) and the role's responsibilities.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle disagreements, and your approach to challenging design problems.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a potential design challenge, which could be a take-home assignment or a live exercise. This might involve critiquing an existing design, sketching out solutions for a given problem, or mapping out a user flow.
• Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach, your understanding of user needs, and your ability to articulate your design rationale clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation and potential design challenges highlights the practical, results-oriented nature of this role. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their ability to deliver tangible outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (Proficiency in at least one is expected).
• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), managing interviews, and potentially user testing platforms.
• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams (for cross-functional communication and project management).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for understanding user behavior on digital products.
• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Pendo for deeper insights into user engagement and feature adoption.
• Data Visualization: Potentially tools like Tableau or Power BI for presenting data insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) might influence user journeys or how user behavior data feeds into CRM is beneficial.
• Familiarity with workflow automation concepts can be helpful when discussing seamless integration with development processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is highly sought after in modern UX roles. The mention of analytics tools underscores the data-driven nature of this position, which is critical for operations roles focused on performance measurement and optimization.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A core value, meaning all design decisions should prioritize understanding and meeting customer needs. This translates to empathy and a dedication to solving real user problems.
• Respectful & Appreciative Interaction: Fosters a positive and inclusive work environment where all team members' contributions are valued.
• Future-Oriented: Encourages forward-thinking and innovation, particularly in developing sustainable solutions for the future of construction.
• Personal & Professional Growth: The company actively supports employee development, encouraging continuous learning and career advancement.
• Collaboration: Working effectively in teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues are integral to achieving shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designs are developed and implemented in close partnership with Product Management and Engineering, ensuring a cohesive product development lifecycle.
• Feedback Culture: Openness to feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users is essential for iterative design improvements.
• Agile & Iterative: The team likely embraces agile methodologies, allowing for rapid iteration, testing, and adaptation based on insights and changing requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align well with operational excellence: data-driven decision-making (customer-centricity, growth), efficient processes (collaboration, iterative development), and a focus on long-term impact (future-oriented, sustainable solutions).

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Traditional & Digital: Balancing the needs of a traditional industry (building materials) with the demands of cutting-edge digital solutions. This requires understanding user contexts in both physical and digital realms.
• Data Interpretation: Effectively translating complex user behavior data and analytics into actionable design improvements, especially within a B2B context.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring all stakeholders (product, engineering, sales, marketing) are aligned on user experience goals and design decisions.
• Pace of Innovation: Keeping up with rapid advancements in UX design tools, methodologies, and digital technologies while maintaining focus on core user needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to delve deeper into specialized UX areas like service design, UX strategy, or advanced user research methodologies.
• Industry Knowledge: Gaining in-depth understanding of the construction and building materials industry, enhancing your ability to design for specific B2B user needs.
• Digital Transformation: Contributing to the digital transformation of a large, established company, offering unique insights into organizational change and innovation.
• Professional Certifications: Access to further education and training can support obtaining relevant UX certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in roles bridging established industries with digital innovation, offering significant learning opportunities for professionals interested in product strategy and GTM alignment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with business requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a STAR method answer focusing on prioritization and compromise.)
• "How do you approach designing for users who may not be tech-savvy? Can you give an example from your portfolio?" (Focus on user research, simplification, and intuitive design principles.)
• "Imagine you've identified a significant drop in user engagement on a key feature. What steps would you take to diagnose the problem and propose design solutions?" (Outline your diagnostic process using data, user feedback, and iterative design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Knauf Digital and its mission to digitally transform the construction industry?" (Research Knauf's values, recent digital initiatives, and articulate your alignment.)
• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid setting?" (Share examples of proactive communication, knowledge sharing, and support for colleagues.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX trends and technologies, and how do you integrate them into your work?" (Discuss your learning habits and approach to adopting new tools or methodologies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 Strongest Projects: Choose projects that best showcase your end-to-end process, problem-solving skills, and impact.
• Focus on the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem you were solving, the target users, and the business objectives.
• Detail Your Process: Walk through your research, ideation, design iterations, and testing phases. Explain why you made certain decisions.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion, improved satisfaction scores).
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you handled feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples and understanding the company's mission will be crucial. For a role like this, demonstrating not just design skills but also an understanding of business impact and collaborative capacity is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Knauf Digital careers portal at https://career.knaufdigital.com/jobs/5896388-ux-designer-m-f-d.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that demonstrate your user research capabilities, your iterative design process, and your ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive solutions. Tailor the selection to highlight experience relevant to B2B products or digital transformation initiatives.
• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description such as "User Research," "Prototyping," "Figma," "Usability Testing," "Cross-functional Collaboration," and "English/German fluency." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your chosen case studies, focusing on storytelling, your design process, and the measurable impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to user-centric design and problem-solving.
• Research Knauf Digital: Understand the company's mission, values, and its role within the broader Knauf Group. Familiarize yourself with their digital initiatives and the construction industry context to articulate your interest and fit effectively.

⚠️ 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.

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