Shopify Brand & Web Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Shopify Brand & Web Designer

Company: KittySpout

Location: Bucharest, Romania (Remote)

Job Type: Contractor

Category: Web Design & Operations

Date Posted: November 3, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead a comprehensive website revamp for two premium Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) pet brands, focusing on creating a unique, elevated, and conversion-optimized online presence.

• Develop and implement a robust Figma design system that enables rapid expansion and AI-driven content creation for future web sections.

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead to ensure design decisions align with brand strategy and drive measurable conversion improvements.

• Leverage AI-first design methodologies daily to accelerate design exploration, asset production, and the overall delivery timeline for website enhancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a highly impactful, project-based contractor position with the potential for ongoing work. The emphasis on AI-first design and the creation of a scalable design system suggests a need for a designer who is not only skilled in aesthetics but also in strategic system design and efficient workflow integration. The "will-to-win" culture and expectation to "overdeliver" indicate a fast-paced, results-oriented environment where proactive contribution and strong ownership are paramount.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough reviews of existing brand websites, brand guidelines, and competitor landscapes to inform and present 2-3 distinct web design directions per brand within the initial two weeks.

• Architect and build a comprehensive, mobile-first web design system in Figma, encompassing typography, color palettes, spacing, component libraries, and reusable section templates for both KittySpout brands.

• Design 8-10 signature conversion-focused sections per brand (e.g., hero, product benefits, social proof, comparison, bundles, brand story) for both mobile and desktop views.

• Ensure all designed sections incorporate clear visual hierarchy, a single primary call-to-action, prominent benefits and proof points, and optimized, thumb-friendly mobile layouts, with major sections launching as A/B tests.

• Deliver clean, well-organized Figma files, concise usage guidelines (do's, don'ts, examples), necessary assets, and a comprehensive walkthrough to empower the internal team to extend the design system using AI tools.

• Collaborate effectively with the Head of Brand & Community for brand alignment and the CRO Lead for conversion optimization, providing constructive pushback with data-backed ideas when necessary.

• Continuously refine the design system based on split-test results from newly launched sections, ensuring ongoing improvement and adherence to brand standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design leadership and operational execution. The emphasis on "mobile-first," "design systems," and "conversion-led design" points to a need for a designer who understands the technical and strategic underpinnings of e-commerce website performance, not just aesthetic appeal. The explicit mention of AI integration in the handover process suggests a forward-thinking approach to design scalability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a strong portfolio and demonstrated experience will likely outweigh formal education.

Experience: 5+ years of professional website design experience is a mandatory requirement, with a specific focus on e-commerce platforms.

Required Skills:

• Shopify Expertise: Proven experience designing and optimizing websites specifically for the Shopify platform.

• E-commerce Design: A strong portfolio showcasing live e-commerce websites that demonstrate exceptional taste, creativity, and a premium aesthetic that stands out in competitive markets.

• AI-First Design: Extensive daily experience utilizing AI tools for image generation, layout exploration, and rapid asset production in the design process.

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

• Design Systems: Demonstrated ability to create clear, comprehensive, and developer/AI-extendable design systems.

• Conversion-Led Design: Deep understanding of conversion principles, including visual hierarchy, persuasive copywriting, clear calls-to-action, and mobile optimization for sales.

• Brand Elevation: Proven track record of taking established e-commerce brands and enhancing their online presence to appear more premium and distinctive without losing core brand equity.

• Mobile-First Design: Expertise in designing user interfaces and experiences with a mobile-first approach.

• Collaboration & Communication: Ability to take direction, provide constructive feedback, and work effectively with brand and CRO leads.

• Fluency in English: Essential for clear communication within the remote team.

• Availability: Ability to start within the next few weeks and respond to feedback rapidly.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the DTC pet brand industry.

• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and CRO tools.

• Experience working with lean, fast-paced remote teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI-first design and the ability to create systems that AI can extend are critical differentiators for this role. Candidates are expected to not just be designers but also enablers of AI-driven design workflows. The "real taste" requirement, coupled with the need to elevate existing brands, suggests a preference for designers with a strong aesthetic sensibility and strategic thinking.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Live E-commerce Sites: A robust portfolio featuring live e-commerce websites, ideally built on Shopify, that clearly demonstrate superior taste and creativity compared to industry averages.

• Brand Elevation Case Studies: Specific examples or case studies showcasing the successful elevation of existing e-commerce brands' websites, detailing the process from current state to a more premium and distinctive look and feel.

• AI-Assisted Design Examples: Portfolios should ideally include examples of how AI tools were integrated into the design process to accelerate workflows or explore innovative design directions.

• Figma Design System Showcase: Inclusion of a well-documented Figma design system, demonstrating clear structure, componentization, and ease of understanding for developers or AI tools.

• Conversion-Focused Design Examples: Visuals or case studies that highlight specific design elements or sections engineered for conversion, explaining the rationale behind their design.

Process Documentation:

• Design System Documentation: Clear, concise documentation for the Figma design system, including usage rules, do's and don'ts, and examples of how components and templates should be applied.

• Workflow Efficiency: Evidence of designing processes and systems that enable faster iteration and development, particularly in the context of AI extension.

• Conversion Tracking Integration: Examples or descriptions of how designs are intended to facilitate conversion tracking and A/B testing, working in tandem with CRO efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is not just about showcasing visual output but also the candidate's ability to create scalable, AI-extendable design systems and their strategic approach to conversion-driven e-commerce design. The emphasis on handover documentation and enabling the internal team indicates a need for process-oriented thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $35 – $70 per hour.

• This range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for experienced freelance web designers with specialized skills in Shopify, AI design, and e-commerce conversion optimization. The final rate will be determined by the candidate's specific experience level, the strength of their portfolio, and their demonstrated proficiency in the required AI and design system methodologies. Benefits:

• Flexible Remote Work: Fully remote position offering flexibility in work location.

• Ongoing Contract Potential: The initial website revamp project is estimated at 40-80 hours over 4-8 weeks, with the potential for continued design work as the company scales.

• Direct Impact: Opportunity to work directly with the founder and senior leadership, playing a significant role in scaling the business to $100M+.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Experience a dynamic, lean, and high-growth company culture without corporate politics.

• Competitive Hourly Rate: A strong hourly rate reflecting the specialized skills and expected impact.

Working Hours: The role is project-based, with an estimated 40-80 hours for the initial revamp. While not a strict 9-5, the culture emphasizes "Speed Is King," requiring fast turnaround on feedback and proactive engagement. The working hours will need to accommodate collaboration with the team, likely aligning with European business hours given the location, but flexibility is inherent in a remote, freelance role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation is structured as an hourly rate for a contractor. The "ongoing" nature suggests potential for long-term engagement beyond the initial project, making it an attractive prospect for freelance designers seeking stable, high-impact work. The benefits listed are typical for contract roles, with an emphasis on flexibility and direct influence.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) E-commerce, Pet Supplies.

Company Size: A fast-growing, profitable DTC brand operating at $50M+ annual revenue and scaling towards $100M+. The team is described as "lean" and "senior."

Founded: The company was founded prior to its current scaling phase, with a recent launch of a second brand in a new vertical, indicating significant growth and expansion.

Team Structure:

• Lean & Senior: The team is small, composed of experienced professionals who can move quickly and have a significant impact.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The designer will work directly with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead, indicating a collaborative approach where design intersects with brand strategy and performance marketing.

• Direct Access: Opportunities to work directly with the founder, suggesting a flat hierarchy and direct influence on strategic decisions.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: The company relies on data to inform its strategies, including split-testing results from new website sections.

• AI-Augmented Workflows: AI is a core tool for efficiency, used for exploring design directions, producing assets, and extending design systems.

• Agile & Iterative: The culture values speed, creativity, and continuous improvement, as evidenced by the "Better Everyday" and "Speed Is King" values.

Company Website: [Company URL provided in input]

📝 Enhancement Note: KittySpout presents itself as a high-performance, results-driven organization that values speed, creativity, and a strong "will-to-win." The culture is explicitly anti-corporate, favoring direct communication, hands-on work, and a focus on tangible business outcomes. The emphasis on AI integration suggests a forward-thinking company willing to adopt new technologies for competitive advantage.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior individual contributor level, focusing on specialized design expertise within the e-commerce operations and GTM strategy. It demands a high degree of autonomy and strategic input, particularly in shaping the visual and functional aspects of the brand's online presence.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to or work closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead, with direct interaction with the CEO. This structure allows for rapid decision-making and alignment with key stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The designer's work will have a direct and measurable impact on revenue through website conversion rate optimization. By elevating the brand's visual identity and optimizing user experience, the role contributes significantly to customer acquisition, retention, and overall business scaling towards the $100M+ revenue target. The creation of a scalable design system is a strategic operational asset that will enable future growth and efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Project Expansion: The initial project is a significant revamp, but the role is described as "ongoing," offering continuous opportunities to shape the digital presence of two brands as they scale.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-first design, advanced Figma system design, and conversion-rate optimization within the e-commerce context.

• Strategic Influence: Gain experience influencing brand strategy and GTM execution at a high-growth DTC company, working closely with leadership.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a compelling portfolio with demonstrable results from a high-revenue, fast-scaling e-commerce business.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contractor role, the description hints at significant growth potential through ongoing project work and the strategic importance of the design system. The opportunity to influence a rapidly scaling business and work with cutting-edge AI tools offers substantial professional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote.

Office Location(s): While the company is remote, the role is associated with Bucharest, Romania, suggesting a primary candidate pool or timezone alignment.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: The work environment is entirely remote, requiring strong self-discipline, communication skills, and proficiency with digital collaboration tools.

• AI-Centric Tools: Expect a technology stack heavily integrated with AI design and productivity tools.

• Direct Team Interaction: Despite being remote, the culture emphasizes close collaboration with specific team members (Head of Brand & Community, CRO Lead) and direct access to leadership.

Work Schedule: The role is project-based and remote, offering flexibility. However, the company values "Speed Is King," implying a need for prompt responses to feedback and proactive engagement. The initial project has a defined timeframe (4-8 weeks), but the work is described as "ongoing," suggesting a need for consistent availability and capacity management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature combined with a fast-paced, results-oriented culture requires a candidate who is highly self-motivated, organized, and adept at asynchronous and synchronous digital communication. The focus on speed implies that while flexible, the candidate must be responsive and efficient.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application & Screening: Initial review of applications and portfolios.

• Paid Test: Candidates will complete a paid test project, which involves designing one real section for one of the brands at their agreed hourly rate. This assesses practical skills, speed, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A final discussion to assess overall fit, strategic alignment, and address any remaining questions.

• Project Kickoff: Successful candidates will begin the initial website revamp project.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase E-commerce Excellence: Prioritize showcasing live Shopify e-commerce sites that demonstrate exceptional taste, conversion-focused design, and a premium aesthetic.

• Highlight Brand Elevation: Include specific examples or case studies detailing how you've elevated existing brands, emphasizing the "before and after" impact.

• Demonstrate AI Proficiency: Clearly articulate and visually demonstrate your use of AI in the design process, showcasing how it accelerates your workflow or leads to unique outcomes.

• Present Design Systems: Include examples of well-structured Figma design systems, explaining your methodology for creating them and ensuring they are extendable.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs on conversion rates, revenue, or user engagement. For the paid test, focus on delivering a high-impact section that aligns with the company's conversion goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand KittySpout's Brands: Research KittySpout's current brands, their products, target audience, and competitor landscape.

• Articulate Your Design Philosophy: Be prepared to discuss your approach to brand elevation, conversion-driven design, and AI-first methodologies.

• Prepare for the Paid Test: Approach the paid test as a real project. Focus on understanding the brand, the specific goal of the section, and delivering a high-quality, conversion-optimized design within the given parameters.

• Discuss AI Integration: Be ready to discuss specific AI tools you use, how you integrate them into your workflow, and how you ensure the output meets brand and quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process includes a practical, paid test, which is a strong indicator of the company's focus on real-world performance and efficiency. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just design skill but also their ability to execute quickly and effectively within the company's specific operational context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI 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 layout assistants, and potentially AI site-building or content generation tools. Candidates are expected to be daily users.

• Shopify Platform: Deep understanding of Shopify's design capabilities, limitations, and best practices for theme development and customization.

Analytics & Reporting:

• CRO Tools: Familiarity with tools used for A/B testing and conversion rate optimization (e.g., Google Optimize, VWO, Optimizely) is crucial, as designs will be tested.

• Web Analytics: Understanding of how designs impact metrics tracked in tools like Google Analytics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly designing within CRM/automation tools, an understanding of how website design integrates with customer journeys and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Klaviyo, Mailchimp) would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes modern, AI-driven design workflows and e-commerce platform expertise. Proficiency in Figma and a wide array of AI design tools is paramount. The role also requires an understanding of how design directly impacts conversion metrics and integrates with the broader e-commerce tech stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Will-to-Win: A strong drive to achieve ambitious goals, with a proactive and determined attitude.

• Better Everyday: Commitment to continuous improvement through data analysis, iteration, and learning from results (e.g., split-testing).

• Speed Is King: Emphasis on rapid execution, quick feedback loops, and fast turnaround times.

• Work Smart: Leveraging creativity, efficiency, and tools like AI to achieve more with fewer resources.

• Overdeliver: Exceeding expectations by providing lasting value, such as a robust, extendable design system.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Hands-On: The culture is described as lean, high-impact, and free from "politics or corporate chicanery." Collaboration is likely direct, efficient, and focused on shared goals.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close working relationships with Brand and CRO leads are expected, requiring clear communication and the ability to integrate design feedback with brand strategy and performance metrics.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that encourages giving and receiving feedback, particularly through split-testing results, to refine and improve designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is a critical hiring factor. Candidates must align with a fast-paced, results-oriented, and highly collaborative environment that values creativity, efficiency, and a strong work ethic. The explicit rejection of a "stress-free corporate 9-5" highlights the demanding yet rewarding nature of the work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Conversion: The core challenge will be elevating the visual appeal and premium feel of the brands while ensuring every design directly contributes to higher conversion rates.

• AI Integration Mastery: Staying ahead of the curve and effectively leveraging rapidly evolving AI design tools to maintain a competitive edge in speed and creativity.

• Elevating Existing Brands: The task of enhancing a brand's look and feel without losing its established identity requires strategic nuance and careful execution.

• Scalable System Design: Creating a design system that is not only visually coherent but also robust enough for internal teams and AI to extend effectively over time.

• Fast-Paced Feedback Loops: Adapting to a culture that expects rapid feedback and iteration, requiring efficient design processes and strong communication.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Becoming a leader in AI-assisted e-commerce design workflows.

• Advanced Design Systems: Developing expertise in creating highly scalable and maintainable design systems for complex e-commerce platforms.

• CRO Strategy Insight: Gaining deep practical knowledge of conversion rate optimization principles and their application in design.

• High-Growth DTC Exposure: Experiencing firsthand the challenges and strategies of scaling a multi-brand DTC business to significant revenue levels.

• Direct Leadership Mentorship: Learning directly from a founder and senior leaders in a fast-paced growth environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to tackle complex design challenges at the intersection of brand, conversion, and cutting-edge AI technology within a high-growth e-commerce setting. The challenges are directly tied to significant learning and development potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you elevated an existing brand's website to feel more premium and distinctive. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on your approach to brand evolution and aesthetic refinement.)

• "How do you balance creating a unique and beautiful design with the strict requirements of conversion optimization? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight your understanding of CRO principles and how they inform design decisions.)

• "Walk us through your typical workflow when using AI tools for web design. Which tools do you use, and how do they accelerate your process and enhance your output?" (Be specific about AI tools and your integration strategy.)

• "Imagine you're tasked with designing a 'social proof' section. How would you approach this to maximize conversion, and what elements would you prioritize?" (Demonstrate practical application of conversion-led design.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about KittySpout and the DTC pet industry? What excites you about this opportunity?" (Show you've researched the company and understand its market.)

• "Our values are 'Better Everyday,' 'Speed Is King,' 'Work Smart,' and 'Overdeliver.' How do you embody these values in your work?" (Prepare specific examples that align with each value.)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration with a Brand Lead and a CRO Lead. How do you handle differing opinions or feedback?" (Showcase your communication and collaborative skills.)

• "This is a fast-paced, remote, contractor role. How do you manage your time and ensure you are meeting ambitious deadlines and delivering high-impact work?" (Address self-management and productivity in a remote setting.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, tell a story: the problem, your solution (your design process, including AI and system thinking), and the results (quantifiable if possible).

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your designs directly contributed to business goals, especially conversion rates and brand perception.

• Showcase AI Integration: Clearly point out where and how AI tools were used to achieve specific outcomes or efficiencies.

• Highlight Design Systems: If you have a dedicated design system example, walk through its structure, components, and how it facilitates future development.

• Be Concise and Clear: Given the emphasis on speed, present your work efficiently and be prepared to answer direct questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess practical skills, cultural fit, and strategic thinking. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not only their design talent but also their ability to work efficiently in a remote, AI-driven, and results-focused environment. The paid test is a critical component, so treating it with the same rigor as a full project is advised.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features live e-commerce Shopify sites that showcase exceptional taste, conversion-focused design, and experience elevating existing brands. Highlight specific examples of AI tool integration and any well-structured Figma design systems you've created.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize your 5+ years of web design experience, specific Shopify expertise, proficiency with AI design tools, and success in conversion-led design. Use keywords like "Shopify," "Web Design," "Figma," "AI-First Design," "E-commerce," "DTC," and "Conversion Rate Optimization."

• Prepare for the Paid Test: Treat the paid test section design as a real project. Conduct thorough research on the brand and focus on delivering a high-quality, conversion-optimized design that aligns with KittySpout's values and aesthetic.

• Research KittySpout: Familiarize yourself with KittySpout's brands, their products, target audience, and competitor landscape. Understand their stated company values and how your work ethic aligns with them.

⚠️ 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.