Senior Web Designer: DTC Ecommerce

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Web Designer: DTC Ecommerce

Company: KittySpout

Location: Brasília, Federal District, Brazil (Remote)

Job Type: Contractor

Category: Digital Design & E-commerce Operations

Date Posted: November 03, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive significant visual and conversion rate improvements for two established DTC pet brands through a comprehensive website revamp.

• Develop and own a sophisticated Figma design system, enabling rapid extension of brand aesthetics and functionality by internal teams and AI tools.

• Design conversion-optimized web pages and "signature sections" that elevate brand perception, enhance user experience, and demonstrably increase revenue per visitor.

• Collaborate closely with Brand & Community leadership and the CRO Lead to ensure designs are aligned with brand strategy and data-driven conversion principles.

• Leverage cutting-edge AI design tools to accelerate the design process, explore creative directions, and deliver high-quality assets efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is framed as a contractor position with an initial project scope (website revamp) of 40-80 hours over 4-8 weeks, with potential for ongoing work. The emphasis on "AI-First Design" and the creation of an AI-extendable design system is a key differentiator, indicating a forward-thinking approach to digital product development within the e-commerce operations landscape. The "will-to-win" culture and focus on rapid iteration suggest a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic review of existing websites, brand guidelines, and competitive landscape to present 2-3 distinct web design directions for each of the two DTC brands.

• Architect and deliver a robust, mobile-first Figma design system encompassing typography, color palettes, spacing, components, and reusable section templates for both brands, ensuring clear distinction while maintaining brand cohesion.

• Design 8-10 high-converting "signature sections" per brand (e.g., hero banners, product benefits, social proof, comparison modules, brand storytelling elements) for both mobile and desktop viewpoints.

• Implement conversion-focused design principles in every element, including clear visual hierarchy, prominent calls-to-action, benefit-driven messaging, and speed-optimized layouts, particularly for mobile users.

• Collaborate with the CRO Lead to launch major new sections as A/B split tests, meticulously tracking and analyzing conversion rates and revenue per visitor against legacy designs.

• Conduct thorough design reviews of built pages against approved mockups to ensure pixel-perfect implementation before launch.

• Prepare and deliver clean Figma files, concise usage guidelines (do's, don'ts, examples), necessary assets, and a comprehensive walkthrough session for the internal team to effectively extend the design system using AI tools.

• Provide a post-handover review of the first new sections built by the team utilizing the design system and AI, ensuring aesthetic consistency and adherence to brand standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand elevation, tactical design execution, and a forward-looking approach to design system development that integrates AI. The emphasis on conversion-led design and split-testing indicates a strong focus on measurable business outcomes, aligning with core revenue operations principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational foundation in graphic design, digital media, human-computer interaction, or a related field is implicitly expected, demonstrated through a robust portfolio.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in web design, with a significant focus on e-commerce platforms. Proven success in elevating existing brands through website design and a demonstrated ability to create visually appealing and high-converting online experiences.

Required Skills:

• Web Design Expertise: Deep understanding of modern web design principles, aesthetics, and best practices for e-commerce.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for UI/UX design, prototyping, and building scalable design systems.

• E-commerce & Shopify: Extensive experience designing for e-commerce websites, with a strong preference for Shopify platform expertise.

• AI-First Design: Proven ability to leverage AI tools (image generation, layout assistance, content creation) daily to accelerate design exploration and asset production.

• Design Systems: Expertise in creating comprehensive, well-documented design systems that are easily extendable by other designers, developers, and AI.

• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Principles: Solid understanding of what drives online sales, including visual hierarchy, clear calls-to-action, persuasive copywriting, and user flow optimization.

• Mobile-First Design: Ability to design and prioritize user experiences for mobile devices, ensuring seamless functionality and aesthetics across all screen sizes.

• Brand Strategy Acumen: Capacity to understand and build upon existing brand guidelines to create a more unique, premium, and distinctive online presence.

• Visual Hierarchy & Layout: Skill in organizing content and visual elements to guide user attention and facilitate conversion.

• Prototyping & User Flows: Ability to create interactive prototypes to visualize user journeys and test design concepts.

• English Fluency: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English for effective collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• DTC Experience: Prior experience designing for Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands.

• Pet Industry Experience: Familiarity with the nuances and aesthetics of the pet product market.

• UI Design: Strong skills in crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces.

• Data-Driven Design: Experience in using analytics and split-test results to inform design decisions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Brand, CRO, and development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-First Design" and creating an AI-extendable design system is a critical requirement. Candidates should be prepared to showcase how they integrate AI into their daily workflow and how their design systems are structured for AI-driven expansion. The need for speed and a "will-to-win" attitude suggests that candidates with a proactive and results-oriented approach will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Live E-commerce Sites: A robust portfolio showcasing live e-commerce websites, ideally built on Shopify, that demonstrate exceptional taste, creativity, and a premium aesthetic that surpasses industry norms.

• Brand Elevation Case Studies: Specific examples of how you've taken established e-commerce brands and successfully elevated their online presence to be more premium and distinctive, without compromising existing strengths or brand identity.

• Figma Design System Examples: Portfolio pieces that clearly illustrate your capability in building comprehensive, well-organized, and scalable design systems within Figma, detailing component structure, style guides, and usage documentation.

• Conversion-Focused Design Examples: Visual evidence of pages or entire sites designed with a strong emphasis on conversion, highlighting elements like clear calls-to-action, persuasive benefit statements, social proof integration, and optimized user journeys.

Process Documentation:

• Design System Documentation: Evidence of clear, concise documentation for design systems, including usage rules, do's and don'ts, and examples of how components and templates can be combined. This should be structured for easy understanding by developers and AI tools.

• Workflow Efficiency: Examples demonstrating how AI tools were integrated into your design workflow to accelerate exploration, asset production, and iteration cycles.

• Conversion Analysis Integration: Showcase how data from split tests or analytics informed design iterations and improvements on previous projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool. Candidates must clearly articulate their design process, especially concerning brand elevation, conversion optimization, and the creation of an AI-extendable design system. The ability to document processes clearly and demonstrate AI integration is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $35 – $70 per hour. This range is determined by the candidate's experience level, the demonstrated quality and depth of their portfolio, and their proven proficiency with AI-driven design tools and design systems. The rate will be finalized based on these factors.

Benefits: As a contractor, the role typically does not include traditional employee benefits. However, the position offers:

• Flexibility: Fully remote work arrangement allowing for autonomy and work-life balance.

• Direct Impact: Opportunity to work directly with the founder and senior leadership, significantly influencing the growth trajectory of a rapidly scaling company.

• Ongoing Work Potential: The initial website revamp project is substantial (40-80 hours), with strong potential for continued design work as the company scales and introduces new products or features.

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Exposure to and utilization of advanced AI design tools, positioning the designer at the forefront of digital creative innovation.

• Growth Opportunities: Direct involvement in scaling a business from $50M+ to $100M+, offering invaluable experience in high-growth e-commerce environments.

Working Hours: The role requires significant availability for feedback and collaboration, with a strong emphasis on "Speed Is King" and turning feedback around the same day. While the total hours for the initial project are estimated at 40-80 over 4-8 weeks, the expectation is for prompt responsiveness and efficient work delivery. The nature of the work implies flexibility in scheduling, but a commitment to meeting rapid turnaround times is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for experienced freelance web designers specializing in e-commerce and AI integration. The primary "benefits" are the opportunity for high-impact work, direct collaboration with founders, potential for ongoing engagement, and exposure to advanced AI design methodologies within a fast-growing DTC company. The "working hours" note emphasizes responsiveness and efficiency over strict adherence to a 9-5 schedule.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Pet Products. KittySpout operates in a profitable, premium segment of the rapidly growing pet industry, indicating a focus on quality, brand experience, and customer loyalty.

Company Size: A lean, senior team operating at $50M+ annual revenue and scaling towards $100M+. This suggests a highly efficient, results-driven environment where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: The company has a history of profitability and has successfully launched a second brand in a new vertical, demonstrating strategic growth and market expansion capabilities.

Team Structure:

• Lean & Senior: Composed of experienced professionals who move quickly and take ownership.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills.

• Founder-Led Vision: Direct interaction with the founder is a key aspect, implying a culture that values direct input and alignment with top-level strategy.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Embraces split-testing and analytics to refine strategies and designs, ensuring measurable outcomes.

• Creativity with Constraints: Focuses on achieving premium results efficiently, using creativity to "do more with less."

• Agile & Iterative: Emphasizes rapid iteration, same-day feedback turnaround, and continuous refinement based on performance data.

• AI Integration: Actively incorporates AI tools to enhance speed and efficiency in design and development processes.

Company Website: https://www.kittyspout.com/ (Note: This is a placeholder as the direct company website was not provided in the input, but the job description implies a strong online presence).

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a strong "will-to-win," speed, efficiency, and a hands-on approach. It explicitly states this is not a "stress-free corporate 9-5 job" but an environment for those who want to challenge themselves and drive significant growth. The emphasis on "no politics or corporate chicanery" points to a direct, transparent, and results-focused operational environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Web Designer, implying a high level of autonomy, strategic input, and specialized expertise. The focus is on delivering a critical project (website revamp) and establishing a foundational design system, rather than managing a team.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Web Designer will report to and collaborate closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead. This direct interaction with key stakeholders ensures alignment and allows for significant influence on brand presentation and conversion strategy.

Operations Impact: The designer's work will have a direct and measurable impact on revenue. By elevating brand perception and improving conversion rates, the role contributes directly to the company's growth targets, aiming to scale from $50M+ to $100M+. Success will be measured by conversion rate improvements, revenue per visitor, and the long-term usability of the design system.

Growth Opportunities:

• Ongoing Project Work: Successful completion of the initial website revamp project opens the door for continued freelance engagement on new sections, features, and brand initiatives.

• Skill Development in AI Design: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge AI design tools and methodologies, becoming a leader in AI-assisted creative production.

• High-Growth E-commerce Experience: Gain invaluable experience working within a rapidly scaling DTC company, understanding the operational and design challenges of significant growth phases.

• Strategic Brand Influence: Contribute to the visual identity and conversion strategy of two distinct brands, influencing their market positioning and customer acquisition.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The opportunity to work on a major website revamp and design system for a successful DTC brand will significantly enhance the designer's professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the emphasis on "ongoing" work and direct impact on scaling a business provides significant growth potential in terms of experience, portfolio value, and exposure to high-level strategic decision-making within a successful e-commerce operation.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This role offers complete flexibility in terms of physical location, catering to individuals who thrive in a remote work setting.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company has a presence and potentially an operational base in Brasília, Brazil, as indicated by location data. However, the work itself is not tied to a specific physical office.

Workspace Context:

• Independent Work: The remote nature requires self-discipline, strong time management, and the ability to work autonomously.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Heavy reliance on digital communication and collaboration tools (Figma, project management software, communication platforms) for seamless interaction with the team.

• AI Integration: The workspace will heavily integrate AI design tools, reflecting a modern and efficient approach to creative production.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Expect a dynamic and agile work environment where quick turnarounds and proactive problem-solving are the norm.

Work Schedule: The role offers flexibility in terms of when work is done, but demands significant responsiveness and a commitment to "same-day feedback" and "turning feedback around fast." This means availability during core working hours for key stakeholders might be necessary, even within a flexible remote setup. The initial project has a defined scope (40-80 hours over 4-8 weeks), suggesting a project-based schedule rather than a rigid weekly commitment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote work environment is a key feature, emphasizing autonomy and flexibility. However, candidates must be prepared for a demanding pace and a culture that prioritizes speed and immediate responsiveness, which is crucial for effective remote collaboration in a fast-moving startup environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• (1) Application + Screening & Portfolio Review: Initial review of your application and portfolio to assess experience, taste, and alignment with brand and AI requirements.

• (2) Paid Test (one real section for one of our brands, paid at your hourly rate): A practical assessment where you'll design a specific web section for one of KittySpout's brands. This allows the company to evaluate your design skills, process, AI integration, and ability to adhere to brand guidelines and conversion principles in a real-world scenario.

• (3) Final Interview: A concluding interview, likely with the founder and/or senior leadership, to discuss your approach, cultural fit, and strategic thinking.

• (4) Project Kickoff: If successful, you'll proceed to the initial project phase.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Brand Elevation: Clearly demonstrate projects where you've successfully elevated existing brands, showing before-and-after scenarios or detailing your strategic approach to enhancing brand perception and uniqueness.

• Highlight Design System Expertise: Include detailed examples of your Figma design systems. Explain their structure, component logic, and how they are designed for scalability and AI extension. Provide clear documentation samples.

• Emphasize AI Integration: For each relevant project, articulate how AI tools were used to accelerate your design process, generate ideas, or produce assets. Be specific about the tools and techniques.

• Quantify Conversion Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or case study results that demonstrate how your designs have positively impacted conversion rates, revenue, or other key e-commerce KPIs. Use split-test results if available.

• Curate for Taste and Uniqueness: Select projects that best reflect your "great taste" and ability to create designs that stand out, particularly within competitive markets like e-commerce.

Challenge Preparation:

• Prepare for the Paid Test: Treat the paid test section design as a mini-project. Understand the brand, target audience, and conversion goals thoroughly. Be prepared to justify your design choices with data-driven reasoning and AI integration strategies.

• Understand the "Why": Be ready to articulate your understanding of KittySpout's business goals (scaling to $100M+, premium DTC positioning) and how your design approach directly supports these objectives.

• Demonstrate Cultural Fit: Prepare to discuss how your work style aligns with their core values: Better Everyday, Speed Is King, Work Smart (with AI), and Overdeliver. Show examples of your proactive, results-oriented approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hiring process includes a paid test, which is a significant opportunity to showcase practical skills. Candidates should leverage this to demonstrate their ability to translate brand strategy and conversion goals into effective, AI-enhanced design solutions. Thorough portfolio curation and preparation for the test are critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and design system creation. Advanced proficiency is essential.

• AI Design Tools: A broad category, likely including AI image generators (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E), AI-assisted layout tools, and potentially AI content generation tools. Candidates are expected to be "very experienced designing with AI" and use them "every day."

• Prototyping Tools: Integrated within Figma or standalone tools for creating interactive user flows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with platforms like Google Analytics is implicitly required to understand conversion metrics and user behavior, though the designer may not directly manage them.

• A/B Testing Tools: Experience or understanding of how designs are implemented and tested within A/B testing frameworks (e.g., Optimizely, VWO) is beneficial, given the collaboration with the CRO Lead.

CRM & Automation:

• E-commerce Platforms: Deep expertise in Shopify is highly preferred, as it's the primary platform mentioned. Understanding of its theming capabilities and limitations is key.

• Integration Tools: While not directly designing integrations, an understanding of how web designs interact with e-commerce backend systems and marketing automation tools can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and a demonstrated, daily use of AI design tools are non-negotiable requirements. The ability to design within the constraints and capabilities of Shopify is also critical. Understanding conversion metrics and how designs are tested is important for effective collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: KittySpout explicitly outlines four core values that shape their culture and are critical for cultural fit:

• Better Everyday: A commitment to continuous improvement, exemplified by using split-test results to refine the design system before handover. This implies a data-informed, iterative approach to design.

• Speed Is King: Prioritizing rapid execution and quick turnaround times. This means presenting initial concepts within two weeks and responding to feedback on the same day.

• Work Smart: Leveraging AI tools to enhance efficiency and productivity in design exploration and asset production. It also means designing systems that AI can easily extend, maximizing long-term efficiency.

• Overdeliver: Aiming to provide exceptional value, leaving the team with a sustainable design system that can be built upon for years, rather than just a set of static pages.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Proactive: Designers are expected to take direction from Brand and CRO leads but also to "push back with better ideas when you have them," indicating a culture that values informed opinions and constructive debate.

• Hands-On & Active: The environment is described as one where individuals are "hands-on and active," suggesting a preference for doers over managers.

• Results-Oriented: The overarching goal is to drive results and scale the company, with a "will-to-win" attitude and a focus on moving towards business objectives.

• Transparent & Politics-Free: The company explicitly mentions an environment "without politics or corporate chicanery," suggesting open communication and a focus on merit and contribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Cultural fit is stated as the #1 hiring factor. Candidates must demonstrate alignment with these values, particularly speed, AI integration, a proactive mindset, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results. The description strongly contrasts this environment with a typical corporate 9-5.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Uniqueness with Conversion: The core challenge is to make the brands "more unique and more elevated" while ensuring "every page is still designed to convert." This requires a delicate balance between aesthetic innovation and performance-driven design.

• AI Integration & Scalability: Effectively integrating AI into the design process and creating a design system that AI can genuinely extend requires foresight, technical understanding, and a willingness to experiment.

• Rapid Iteration & Feedback: Meeting the "Speed Is King" value and delivering same-day feedback requires exceptional time management, efficient workflows, and the ability to remain productive under tight deadlines.

• Elevating Existing Brands: Successfully evolving an established brand's web presence without losing its core identity or alienating existing customers requires strategic thinking and a nuanced design approach.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining seamless communication and high-quality output in a fully remote, fast-paced environment demands strong self-management and proactive engagement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastery of AI Design Tools: Becoming highly proficient in cutting-edge AI tools for design and creative production.

• Advanced Design System Architecture: Developing expertise in creating robust, AI-extendable design systems that serve as a long-term asset for the company.

• High-Growth E-commerce Strategy: Gaining firsthand experience in scaling a successful DTC brand, understanding the operational and design challenges involved in rapid growth.

• Direct Stakeholder Collaboration: Working closely with founders and senior leaders provides exposure to high-level business strategy and decision-making.

• Portfolio Building: The opportunity to lead a major website revamp and establish a foundational design system for a profitable DTC brand offers significant value for future career opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are designed to attract candidates who thrive in dynamic, results-oriented environments and are eager to push the boundaries of design with AI. The growth opportunities are substantial, focusing on skill development in emerging technologies and high-impact strategic contributions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Brand Elevation & Conversion Strategy: "How would you approach elevating the look and feel of an existing DTC brand to appear more premium and unique, while simultaneously ensuring every page is optimized for conversion? Walk us through your process, including how you'd leverage AI and what metrics you'd focus on."

• Design System for AI Extension: "Describe your process for building a Figma design system that is not only comprehensive for human designers but also structured and documented in a way that AI tools can effectively extend it. What are the key considerations for AI-driven scalability?"

• AI Integration Workflow: "Can you provide specific examples of how you've used AI tools in your daily design workflow to accelerate exploration, produce assets, or improve efficiency? What are the benefits and limitations you've encountered?"

• Handling Rapid Feedback: "Our culture emphasizes 'Speed Is King' and same-day feedback. How do you manage your workflow and maintain design quality when working under tight deadlines and requiring rapid iterations?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Alignment with Values: "How do your personal work values align with our core values of Better Everyday, Speed Is King, Work Smart, and Overdeliver? Can you share an example of when you've embodied these?"

• DTC E-commerce Perspective: "What do you believe are the critical elements of a successful DTC e-commerce website, particularly in a competitive market like pet products?"

• Ideal Collaboration: "Describe your ideal working relationship with a Brand Lead and a CRO Lead. How do you ensure effective collaboration and constructive pushback when you have differing ideas?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio presentation to clearly showcase your best work, focusing on:

  1. Brand Elevation Case Studies: Detail the challenge, your strategic approach, AI integration, design solutions, and outcomes (especially conversion improvements).
  2. Design System Examples: Walk through a design system you've built, explaining its architecture, key components, and how it's designed for scalability and AI use.
  3. Conversion-Focused Designs: Highlight specific pages or sections designed for conversion, explaining the rationale behind layout, CTAs, and persuasive elements.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data (conversion rates, revenue per visitor, A/B test results) to demonstrate the impact of your design work.

• Articulate AI Usage: Be prepared to discuss specific AI tools and techniques used in your projects and how they contributed to efficiency and creativity.

• Showcase "Taste": Select projects that visually demonstrate your aesthetic sensibility and ability to create unique, premium designs.

• Prepare for the Paid Test Discussion: Be ready to discuss your approach to the paid test project, explaining your understanding of the brand and how you plan to execute the design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to go deep on their use of AI, their design system methodology, and their ability to balance aesthetics with conversion. The paid test is a critical component, so thorough preparation for that specific task is essential. Demonstrating an understanding of DTC e-commerce and a cultural fit with the company's values will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Web Designer position:

• Submit your application directly through the provided Workable link.

• Curate a Portfolio Focused on AI & Brand Elevation: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of your AI-assisted design process and case studies where you've successfully elevated existing e-commerce brands. Highlight your Figma design system work with clear documentation.

• Tailor Your Resume for Keywords: Optimize your resume to include keywords such as "Senior Web Designer," "DTC E-commerce," "Shopify," "Figma," "AI-First Design," "Design Systems," "Conversion Rate Optimization," and "Brand Elevation."

• Prepare for the Paid Test: Understand that a paid test project is part of the process. Be ready to demonstrate your skills by designing a specific web section for one of KittySpout's brands, showcasing your ability to integrate AI and adhere to conversion principles.

• Research KittySpout: Familiarize yourself with the company's existing brands, their market position, and their stated values to articulate how your design philosophy aligns with their growth objectives and culture.

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