Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Kmart Australia

Location: Chadstone, VIC, Australia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Innovation / Retail Technology

Date Posted: 2026-01-14

Experience Level: 3-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive design-led innovation projects from concept to prototype, focusing on user-centered design principles.

• Leverage rapid digital prototyping and experimentation to explore new solutions and technologies for Kmart and Target brands.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with IT, Central Operations, CX, Store Design, and external vendors to bring innovative ideas to life.

• Contribute to the future of retail experiences by designing and testing novel solutions within a dedicated Innovation team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Kmart's Innovation team, focusing on tangible design and building for future retail experiences. The emphasis is on hands-on product development and experimentation, bridging the gap between design concepts and practical application in a retail environment. Expect a fast-paced, iterative approach to problem-solving.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead design exploration and prototype development for new solutions within design-led innovation projects, from initial problem identification through to testing phases.

• Employ a variety of prototyping tools and techniques to foster an environment of continuous experimentation and rapid learning.

• Proactively research and integrate new technologies into innovation projects to enhance user experiences and operational efficiency.

• Partner closely with designers, researchers, and subject matter experts to gather user insights and drive user-centered design outcomes.

• Conduct user testing sessions and iterate on designs based on feedback, data analysis, and performance metrics.

• Collaborate effectively with IT, Central Operations, Stores, CX, Store Design, and technology vendors to ensure seamless integration and alignment of innovative solutions.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of design thinking principles and experimentation methodologies within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on, iterative approach to innovation. This isn't just about conceptual design; it involves actively building and testing prototypes, making it crucial for candidates to demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing practical application of design skills and a comfort with experimentation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in rapid digital prototyping, showcasing a deep understanding of design thinking principles.

• Robust and in-depth technical experience relevant to product development and innovation.

• Proven track record of collaborating effectively across diverse disciplines (e.g., design, research, technology, operations) to drive projects to successful completion.

• Strong analytical skills for conducting user testing and iterating designs based on feedback and data.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an outgoing and engaging style to foster a collaborative working environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in coding for web, Android apps, or other relevant platforms.

• Familiarity with cloud services and databases (e.g., AWS, SQL).

• Knowledge of hardware prototyping and experimentation processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred skills" highlight a strong lean towards candidates with a blend of design and technical capabilities, including coding and cloud exposure. This suggests the innovation projects may involve digital products or services that require a degree of buildability and technical understanding beyond pure UI/UX design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant design-led innovation or product development projects, detailing the problem, your approach, and the outcomes.

• Include examples of rapid digital prototyping and experimentation, demonstrating your ability to quickly iterate on ideas.

• Present case studies that highlight your ability to conduct user testing, analyze feedback, and iterate designs effectively.

• Demonstrate your technical aptitude, possibly including examples of code snippets, system architecture diagrams, or integrations if applicable to your projects.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process, including how you approach problem identification, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Articulate your understanding of design thinking methodologies and how you apply them in practice.

• Explain your approach to integrating user feedback and data analysis into the design refinement process.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical. Candidates should focus on projects that demonstrate not just aesthetic design but also the entire innovation lifecycle: problem definition, ideation, rapid prototyping, testing, iteration, and collaboration. Technical skills and a practical, build-oriented approach should be evident.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Flexible hybrid working options through Kmart's "Flex Where, Flex When, Flex Well" policy.

• Team member discount card valid at Kmart, Target, Officeworks, and Bunnings.

• Access to the "Kmart for You" benefits program, offering exclusive discounts on entertainment, travel, lifestyle, and health from over 60 suppliers.

• Eligibility for a bonus program, rewarding commitment and hard work.

• Inclusive parental leave and ongoing support through partnership with Circle In.

• Dynamic learning and support programs to foster professional development.

• Opportunities for career advancement through the Mentor Program (as Mentee or Mentor).

• Kudos recognition program for peer-nominated rewards.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) with flexible hybrid working arrangements available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical market rates for this role and experience level in a major Australian city, considering the retail industry context. The extensive benefits package highlights Kmart's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (with a strong focus on innovation and technology)

Company Size: Large (Kmart and Target are part of the Wesfarmers retail group, employing tens of thousands globally)

Founded: Kmart Australia was founded in 1969.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Innovation Capability and Strategy Manager.

• You will be part of the Design and Technology practice within the Innovation team.

• Close collaboration is expected with IT, Central Operations, Stores, Customer Experience (CX), Store Design, and external technology vendors.

Methodology:

• Design-led innovation projects are a core focus.

• Emphasis on rapid prototyping, experimentation, and continuous learning.

• User-centered design principles are paramount.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential for project success.

Company Website: https://www.kmart.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: Kmart operates within the highly competitive retail sector, with a strategic focus on leveraging innovation and technology to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. The company culture described emphasizes a proactive, curious, and collaborative approach to problem-solving, particularly within the innovation space.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an individual contributor position at an intermediate to senior level within the design and innovation domain. It requires a blend of creative design skills and practical technical execution.

Reporting Structure: You will report directly to the Innovation Capability and Strategy Manager, indicating a clear line of management within the innovation function.

Operations Impact: As a Product Designer in the Innovation team, your work will directly influence the future of Kmart and Target's physical store experiences and potentially digital touchpoints. Your designs and prototypes will be instrumental in testing new concepts, driving strategic decisions, and ultimately improving customer satisfaction and operational effectiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of product design, prototyping technologies, or retail innovation.

• Leadership: Potential to lead design efforts on key innovation projects or mentor junior designers as your experience grows.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broad understanding of various business functions (IT, Operations, CX, Store Design) through collaborative projects.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through exposure to new technologies, experimentation, and dynamic support programs.

• Career Progression: Opportunities within the broader Wesfarmers Group, which includes other major retail brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth potential for individuals passionate about innovation in retail. The emphasis on experimentation and cross-functional work provides a rich learning environment, while the connection to the larger Wesfarmers Group opens doors for diverse career paths.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Kmart's Innovation Store at Kmart Southland, suggesting a dynamic, hands-on, and potentially experimental workspace environment. This is distinct from a traditional corporate office.

Office Location(s): Kmart Southland, Chadstone, Victoria, Australia.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative environment is fostered, encouraging interaction with designers, researchers, IT professionals, and operational stakeholders.

• Access to various prototyping tools and technologies is implied, supporting hands-on experimentation.

• The Innovation Store setting likely provides a unique context for testing concepts in a pseudo-real-world retail environment.

• Opportunities for direct collaboration with store teams and operational experts to ground innovation in practical retail realities.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, with flexible hybrid working options available, balancing in-office collaboration at the Innovation Store with remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of the "Innovation Store" at Southland indicates a unique work environment. Candidates should expect a more experimental, hands-on, and potentially less conventional office setup compared to a standard corporate setting. This environment is designed for rapid iteration and testing.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and project relevance.

• Technical/Design Interview: Discussion around your design philosophy, experience with prototyping tools, technical skills (coding, cloud), and design thinking methodologies. Expect to walk through specific projects from your portfolio.

• Innovation Project Discussion: Deeper dive into how you approach innovation challenges, your experience with experimentation, and how you handle ambiguity.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Assessment: Scenarios or questions to gauge your ability to work effectively with diverse teams (IT, Operations, CX, Store Design).

• Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of your alignment with Kmart's values, particularly curiosity, collaboration, and a "building to learn" mindset.

• Final Interview: May involve senior management or the hiring manager to discuss role expectations, career growth, and final decision-making.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Innovation & Experimentation: Showcase projects where you explored novel solutions, used rapid prototyping, and learned through experimentation.

• Demonstrate Technical Skills: If you have coding or cloud experience, clearly present projects where these skills were applied. Show examples of built prototypes or integrations.

• Detail Your Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking process, user research methods, and how you iterated based on feedback and data.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, provide metrics or tangible outcomes that demonstrate the success or learning derived from your projects.

• Showcase Collaboration: Explain your role within team projects and how you effectively partnered with other disciplines.

• Prepare for Ambiguity: Be ready to discuss how you approach ill-defined problems and generate solutions in an innovative context.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge or a case study related to retail innovation.

• Practice articulating your design process and solutions concisely and clearly.

• Anticipate questions about how you would approach a specific retail problem using design and technology.

• Familiarize yourself with Kmart's brand and current retail landscape to provide contextually relevant insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "design-led" approach and "building to learn" means the interview process will likely heavily scrutinize your portfolio for evidence of practical application, experimentation, and a hands-on mentality. Be ready to discuss the "how" and "why" behind your design decisions and prototypes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in a range of rapid digital prototyping tools is essential. Examples may include Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or more specialized tools for interactive prototypes.

• Design Software: Standard design tools for wireframing, UI design, and potentially graphic design (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite).

• Coding Languages (Highly Regarded): Experience with languages relevant to web development (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript), mobile app development (e.g., Swift/Objective-C for iOS, Kotlin/Java for Android), or scripting.

• Cloud Services (Experience Desired): Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform for potential integration or deployment of prototypes.

• Databases (Familiarity Desired): Basic understanding of SQL or NoSQL databases for data management aspects of prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with user analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) to analyze user testing data and inform design iterations.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly stated as primary tools for this role, an understanding of how customer data is managed and utilized in a retail context (e.g., CRM systems, marketing automation) could be beneficial for designing integrated solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Technical Experience" and "Coding for web, Android apps, or other platforms" requirements, along with "cloud services and databases," suggest this role is not purely UX/UI. Candidates with a "full-stack" design mentality, capable of building functional prototypes or understanding the technical underpinnings of digital products, will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, technologies, and solutions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals.

• Building to Learn: Embracing an iterative approach where prototyping and experimentation are key to understanding and development.

• Pride in Contribution: Taking ownership and finding satisfaction in shaping the future of well-loved brands.

• User-Centricity: Placing the customer at the heart of all design decisions.

• Accountability: Taking responsibility for tasks and driving them to completion.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly cross-functional, involving close partnerships with designers, researchers, IT, operations, CX, and store design teams.

• Open communication and feedback exchange are encouraged to foster continuous improvement and shared learning.

• A proactive and engaging style is valued to build strong working relationships and drive initiative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture emphasizes a proactive, experimental, and collaborative mindset. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced innovation environment where learning from doing is paramount, and cross-functional teamwork is the norm.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Design and Development: Effectively translating innovative design concepts into functional prototypes or demonstrable solutions, requiring a blend of design and technical skills.

• Rapid Iteration in a Retail Context: Navigating the fast-paced retail environment to quickly test and learn from new ideas, potentially within a live or simulated store environment.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Gaining buy-in and managing expectations across various departments (IT, Operations, Marketing, Store Management) for new innovation initiatives.

• Technology Exploration: Staying abreast of emerging technologies and identifying feasible applications that align with Kmart's strategic objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Hands-on Innovation: Direct involvement in cutting-edge projects that push the boundaries of retail experience.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining exposure to and insights from IT, operations, customer experience, and store design functions.

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to hone skills in advanced prototyping, user testing, and potentially coding/technical integration.

• Mentorship Programs: Structured programs to support career growth and skill development, either as a mentee or mentor.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to work with new technologies and methodologies relevant to the evolving retail landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for someone who thrives on the challenge of bringing new ideas to life and enjoys the process of iterative development. The growth opportunities are substantial for those looking to make a tangible impact on retail innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Be ready to discuss how you approach the early stages of innovation: identifying problems, defining user needs, and generating initial concepts.

• Prepare to articulate your process for rapid prototyping, including tools used, trade-offs made, and how you ensure prototypes are effective for learning.

• Discuss how you incorporate user feedback and data analysis into your design iterations, providing specific examples.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research Kmart's current retail offerings, recent innovations, and competitive landscape.

• Understand Kmart's brand identity and target audience.

• Be prepared to discuss how your collaborative style aligns with Kmart's emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnerships.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your product design, innovation, and technical capabilities.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, the technologies/tools used, your key contributions, and the outcomes or learnings.

• Highlight projects demonstrating rapid prototyping, user testing, and iteration.

• Be prepared to discuss any coding or cloud-related aspects if applicable to your projects.

• Practice presenting your work concisely and engagingly, allowing time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Your portfolio is your primary tool. Ensure it's well-organized, visually appealing, and clearly articulates your process and impact. Be prepared to go deep on the technical aspects and your hands-on approach to building and testing.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Kmart careers website.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select and refine 3-5 key projects that best demonstrate your product design, rapid prototyping, user-centered design, and any relevant technical skills (coding, cloud). Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your role, and the outcome.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience and skills directly relevant to innovation, product development, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., design thinking, user-centered design, rapid prototyping, technical experience, innovation).

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to innovation, and how you collaborate with teams. Be ready to discuss specific projects in detail during interviews.

• Research Kmart: Familiarize yourself with Kmart's brand, its current retail strategies, and the broader Wesfarmers Group to demonstrate your understanding and interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.