Sr Visual / UI Designer (All Genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Visual / UI Designer

Company: zooplus SE

Location: Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product & Tech / Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-06T10:29:20.313

Experience Level: 6+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the enhancement of zooplus' customer experience through scalable UI and interaction design, focusing on improving brand consistency, engagement, and usability across digital touchpoints.

• Drive design decisions by leveraging data-driven insights, customer research, and collaborative design techniques to create tangible, well-designed prototypes for user testing.

• Ensure design work is scalable, modular, and contributes to the automation and personalization of web and app experiences, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusive design principles.

• Actively mentor junior designers, facilitate design sprints and workshops, and build strong relationships with brand and marketing teams to ensure a unified and high-quality customer experience.

• Propose new ideas and solutions to improve projects and their business impact, continuously refining service design strategies to address complex problems and elevate the customer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Visual/UI Designer within the Product & Tech department, focusing on core design libraries and the design system. The emphasis on scalability, automation, personalization, and AI tools suggests a strategic contributor role, not just an execution-focused position. The requirement to mentor junior designers and lead workshops further elevates the seniority and expected leadership capabilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with data and research teams to leverage insights for informed design decisions and to drive user-centric design work across digital platforms.

• Execute design concepts into tangible, well-designed prototypes for effective user testing and validation, ensuring a data-informed design process.

• Design scalable and modular components that support the automation and personalization of web and app pages, enhancing efficiency and user engagement.

• Develop accessible and inclusive user experiences that adhere to best practices and regulatory standards, ensuring broad usability.

• Set and maintain high standards for engaging and branded design across zooplus' web and app interfaces, ensuring consistency and aesthetic appeal.

• Lead the exploration and integration of AI and automation tools to scale and optimize design system workflows, driving innovation in design processes.

• Identify gaps within the existing design system and propose scalable, sustainable solutions to enhance its robustness and utility.

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders, including product owners, marketing, and sales managers, to ensure design outputs align with business goals and customer needs.

• Build strong synergy with brand and marketing teams to guarantee a consistent and high-quality zooplus experience across all customer touchpoints.

• Mentor junior designers through work reviews, day-to-day coaching, and knowledge sharing, fostering team growth and capability.

• Facilitate design sprints, rapid prototyping sessions, and design exploration workshops to efficiently move from research to concept to prototype collaboratively.

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of how design initiatives contribute to team KPIs and overall business objectives, ensuring a focus on customer-centricity and growth.

• Effectively communicate complex design decisions and their rationale to diverse audiences, translating technical concepts into clear, actionable stories.

• Present project results and user insights in an accessible manner to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, fostering understanding and buy-in.

• Propose innovative ideas and solutions to enhance project business impact and refine service design strategies for complex customer experience challenges.

• Manage timelines and deliverables for large-sized projects, ensuring timely completion and adherence to quality standards.

• Adapt to shifting priorities and manage competing demands while maintaining alignment with project objectives and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership, hands-on execution, and team mentorship. The emphasis on "scalable and modular" design, "automation and personalization," and "AI and automation tools" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations, aiming to create efficient and adaptable design systems. The role requires strong collaboration with data, research, brand, and marketing teams, underscoring the cross-functional nature of this position within a growing e-commerce environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in UX/UI Design, Visual Design, Interaction Design, or a related field.

Experience: 6+ years of experience in visual/UI design, with a proven track record of leading and managing sizeable projects from concept to completion.

Required Skills:

• Visual & UI Design: Expertise in creating engaging, branded, and user-friendly visual interfaces.

• Interaction Design: Ability to design intuitive and effective user interactions.

• Design Systems: Strong understanding and experience in contributing to and utilizing design systems for consistency and scalability.

• Prototyping: Proficiency in creating tangible, well-designed prototypes for user testing and stakeholder presentations.

• User Research & Data Analysis: Ability to partner with data and research teams, applying insights to drive design decisions.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Commitment to designing for all users, adhering to accessibility standards.

• Stakeholder Management: Skill in actively involving stakeholders, understanding their needs, and ensuring alignment with business goals.

• Mentorship: Experience in mentoring junior designers through work reviews and coaching.

• Visual Storytelling: Ability to effectively communicate design decisions and their rationale through compelling narratives.

• Design Tools: Proficient in Figma, Mural, SharePoint, Baymard, Creative Suite, and PowerPoint.

• English Communication: Excellent command of spoken and written English for clear articulation of design concepts and insights.

• Project Management: Ability to manage timelines, deliverables, and competing priorities for large-sized projects.

• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile principles and working within agile teams.

Preferred Skills:

• E-commerce Design: Experience in the e-commerce sector or digital product design.

• Customer Insights Application: Proven ability to analyze and apply customer insights to inform design strategy.

• A.I. & Automation Tools: Experience or a keen interest in exploring AI and automation tools for design system optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Qualifications" are robust, indicating a need for a seasoned designer. The specific mention of Baymard suggests a focus on best practices in e-commerce UX, particularly for conversion optimization. The inclusion of SharePoint and Mural points towards collaborative workflows and knowledge management within a corporate environment. The expectation to lead and mentor, combined with the 6+ years of experience, positions this as a senior individual contributor role with potential for team influence.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design projects demonstrating your process from research and ideation through to final execution and impact.

• Include examples of contributions to or creation of design systems, highlighting modularity, scalability, and reusability.

• Present case studies that illustrate how you've used data, user research, and stakeholder feedback to drive design decisions and achieve desired outcomes.

• Demonstrate your ability to create accessible and inclusive designs, with examples of how these principles were applied.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you've documented design processes, workflows, or design system guidelines.

• Showcase your ability to articulate the rationale behind design choices, including the use of data, user feedback, and business objectives.

• Illustrate how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., developers, product managers, marketers) throughout the design lifecycle.

• Demonstrate experience with user testing, prototyping, and iteration cycles as part of your design methodology.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Visual/UI Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It should not only display aesthetic proficiency but also a deep understanding of design strategy, process, and impact. The emphasis on "scalable and modular" design, "automation and personalization," and "AI and automation tools" should be evident in project examples. The candidate needs to demonstrate how their work contributes to business objectives and improves the customer experience in a measurable way, especially within an e-commerce context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Visual/UI Designers with 6+ years of experience in Madrid, Spain, and considering the hybrid work model and comprehensive benefits, a competitive salary range is estimated between €45,000 - €65,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the company's size, industry (e-commerce), and the senior level of the role.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working: A flexible arrangement allowing 60% of time in the office and 40% at home, promoting work-life balance.

• Work From Abroad: Opportunity to work remotely from approved countries for up to 20 days per year, offering international flexibility.

• Career Development: Access to development opportunities designed to help shape individual career paths and professional growth.

• Training and Support: Comprehensive training programs and ongoing support to enhance skills and knowledge.

• Wellbeing Offers: Various wellbeing initiatives and programs to support employee health and mental wellness.

• Subsidised Transport: Financial assistance or subsidies for commuting to the office.

• Bike Leasing: A program enabling employees to lease bicycles for commuting or personal use.

• Product Discount: A substantial 20% discount on all zooplus products, offering savings for pet owners.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement that balances office presence with remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on general market data for similar roles in Madrid, Spain. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and negotiation. The benefits package is extensive, highlighting zooplus' commitment to employee well-being, flexibility, and professional development, which are significant attractors for senior talent. The hybrid model (60% office, 40% home) is specifically mentioned, which is valuable for candidates assessing work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, specifically focused on pet supplies and related products. Zooplus operates as a leading online retailer in this niche, leveraging technology to serve a large customer base.

Company Size: Zooplus SE is a significant player in the European pet e-commerce market. While exact employee numbers fluctuate, it's a large organization with multiple offices across Europe, implying a structured environment with ample resources and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Zooplus was founded in 1999. With over 25 years of experience, the company has established itself as a trailblazer in the pet e-commerce industry, demonstrating a history of adaptation, innovation, and sustained growth.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Product & Tech department, indicating a focus on the development and enhancement of digital platforms.

• The Design team within Product & Tech is responsible for the visual and interaction design of zooplus' digital touchpoints, including web and app experiences.

• This senior role is expected to work closely with data and research teams, brand and marketing teams, product owners, and developers, highlighting a highly collaborative and cross-functional environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are heavily influenced by data and customer research insights.

• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting customer needs to enhance their experience.

• Scalability & Modularity: Emphasis on creating design components that are reusable, adaptable, and support automation.

• Agile Practices: Familiarity with agile methodologies is preferred, suggesting iterative development and flexible project management.

• Design System Approach: Development and utilization of a core design system to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Visual Storytelling: Using design and narrative to communicate ideas, insights, and product value.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Zooplus' long history (founded 1999) and position as a "trailblazer" suggest a company that values experience, innovation, and adaptation. The "power of plus" slogan implies a focus on adding value and enhancing experiences. The company's emphasis on collaboration and embracing change indicates a dynamic work environment suitable for professionals who thrive in evolving industries.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as Senior Visual / UI Designer. This implies an individual contributor role with significant autonomy and responsibility. A senior designer is expected to not only execute high-quality design work but also to mentor junior team members, influence design strategy, lead design initiatives, and contribute to the evolution of the design system and processes. The role requires a deep understanding of design methodologies, user psychology, and business objectives.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Product Management lead. They will work closely with Product Owners, Developers, Marketing, and Brand teams, indicating a matrixed reporting or strong cross-functional collaboration structure. The responsibility to mentor junior designers suggests a leadership aspect within their immediate team.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to enhancing the customer experience across zooplus' digital platforms (web and app). By improving UI, visual design, and interaction design, this role contributes to:

• Increased customer engagement and satisfaction.

• Higher conversion rates and sales through intuitive and appealing interfaces.

• Stronger brand perception and loyalty due to consistent and positive digital interactions.

• Operational efficiency through scalable and modular design systems that reduce development time and effort.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Progression into a Design Lead or Managerial role, overseeing a team of designers and shaping design strategy.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like Design Systems, UX Research, or E-commerce UX Strategy.

• Cross-Functional Roles: Transitioning into Product Management or UX Strategy roles, leveraging a strong understanding of user needs and business goals.

• Process Improvement: Leading initiatives to refine design processes, implement new tools, or enhance the design system's capabilities.

• Mentorship Development: Further developing leadership and coaching skills through ongoing mentorship responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title combined with responsibilities like mentoring, leading workshops, and identifying design system gaps points to a role that is more than just an executing designer. It's a strategic contributor role that influences the direction of design at zooplus, particularly in relation to their core digital platforms and design systems. The growth opportunities align with typical career paths for experienced designers in tech-focused companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Zooplus operates a hybrid working model. This means the office environment is designed for collaboration, team meetings, and focused work, complemented by remote work flexibility. The office serves as a hub for connection and in-person interaction, while remote work allows for focused individual tasks and better work-life integration.

Office Location(s): The specific role is based in Madrid, Spain, at the office located at Génova 17, 5plta, 28004 Madrid. Zooplus also has offices in Munich (headquarters), Krakow, Wroclaw, London, and Vienna, indicating a multinational and diverse operational footprint.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office space is intended for collaboration, team sprints, workshops, and fostering synergy between designers, product teams, and other departments, as evidenced by the 60% office presence requirement.

• Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Mural, Creative Suite, and potentially other internal systems and platforms necessary for their work.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model ensures regular opportunities for direct interaction with colleagues, fostering team cohesion, knowledge sharing, and informal mentorship. The emphasis on "genuinely love working together" suggests a positive and inclusive team dynamic.

Work Schedule: The role involves a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid arrangement provides flexibility, with employees expected to be in the office for approximately 60% of their working time and remotely for 40%. This structure aims to balance collaborative needs with individual work preferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model (60% office, 40% remote) is a key aspect of the work environment. This implies that candidates should be comfortable with regular office presence in Madrid while also valuing the flexibility of remote work. The description of offices across Europe suggests a company with a global outlook and diverse workforce.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against the role requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, design philosophy, approach to problem-solving, and understanding of the role's responsibilities. This may include behavioral questions.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A crucial stage where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio. You may also be asked to complete a design exercise or challenge, either live or as a take-home assignment, to assess your practical skills, design thinking, and ability to apply methodologies. This will likely involve demonstrating your process for a specific problem.

• Stakeholder/Cross-Functional Interview: An interview with team members from Product, Marketing, or Development to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and fit within the broader team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit, long-term potential, and company alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong case studies that best represent your senior-level skills, focusing on impact, process, and problem-solving. Prioritize projects that align with e-commerce, scalable design, design systems, and data-driven approaches.

• Showcase Your Process: Clearly articulate your design journey for each project. Explain the problem, your role, the methodologies used (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key decisions made, and the rationale behind them.

• Highlight Impact & Metrics: Quantify the results of your work whenever possible. Use relevant metrics (e.g., conversion rate improvements, engagement increases, task completion rates, reduction in support tickets) to demonstrate the business value and customer impact of your designs.

• Emphasize Collaboration: Detail how you worked with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and junior designers. Showcase your ability to communicate complex ideas and influence outcomes.

• Design System Contributions: If you have experience with design systems, dedicate a section or a case study to showcase your contributions, focusing on scalability, modularity, and adoption.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates a commitment to accessible and inclusive design principles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If a design challenge is provided, thoroughly understand the problem statement, objectives, and constraints.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your steps: problem definition, research (even if brief/assumed), ideation, solution design, and justification.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your design thinking and problem-solving methodology, not just the final visual output.

• Be Ready to Justify: Prepare to explain your design choices, the trade-offs you considered, and how your solution addresses the core problem.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within realistic timeframes. If it's a live exercise, communicate your progress and any roadblocks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate strategic thinking and impact. The portfolio should be a narrative of problem-solving, not just a gallery of pretty pictures. The mention of "AI and automation tools" in the responsibilities suggests that candidates might be asked about their familiarity or ideas related to these areas during the interview or in a design challenge.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Mural: Likely used for collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, design sprints, and workshops, facilitating remote and in-person team ideation.

• Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator): Standard tools for graphic design, asset creation, and image manipulation.

• PowerPoint: Used for presentations, stakeholder communication, and articulating design strategies and results.

• SharePoint: Potentially used for document management, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within the organization.

• Baymard: Implies a focus on e-commerce UX best practices and research, likely used for benchmarking and informing design decisions.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed as direct responsibilities for this design role. However, understanding how designs integrate into platforms managed by CRM or marketing automation tools (e.g., for personalization) would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The toolset is heavily focused on design execution, collaboration, and presentation. The explicit mention of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite indicates a need for strong visual design and prototyping skills. The inclusion of Baymard is a strong indicator of the e-commerce focus and the expectation that designers understand conversion optimization principles. The partnership with data teams implies that designers should be comfortable discussing metrics and user behavior data.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A core value driving all design decisions, ensuring that customer needs and experiences are at the forefront.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working together across departments (Product, Tech, Marketing, Brand) to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing data and research to inform strategy and validate design choices, fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Valuing the creation of design solutions that are not only effective but also scalable, modular, and contribute to operational efficiency through automation.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing change, exploring new technologies (like AI), and continuously seeking ways to improve processes and experiences.

• Quality & Excellence: Setting high standards for design execution, brand consistency, and overall user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with product managers, developers, marketers, and brand specialists, acting as a bridge between user needs and business objectives.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback, iterative design, and continuous improvement through regular work reviews and collaborative sessions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Mentorship and coaching for junior team members, along with sharing insights and best practices across the team and wider organization.

• Data-Informed & Empathetic: Balancing analytical insights with a deep understanding of user empathy to create designs that are both effective and meaningful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zooplus' culture appears to be a blend of a fast-paced e-commerce environment with a strong emphasis on data, user experience, and collaborative innovation. The values align with modern tech companies that prioritize user-centricity, continuous improvement, and cross-functional teamwork. The "power of plus" slogan likely reflects a commitment to adding value in all aspects of their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Scalability with Brand Identity: Ensuring that design system components are scalable and support automation while maintaining a strong, consistent, and engaging brand identity across diverse touchpoints.

• Integrating AI/Automation into Design Workflows: Exploring and effectively implementing new AI and automation tools to optimize design system workflows and create more personalized experiences, requiring continuous learning and adaptation.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating the needs and priorities of various stakeholders (Product, Tech, Marketing, Brand) to ensure design solutions meet diverse requirements and business objectives.

• Data Interpretation for Design: Effectively translating complex data and customer insights into actionable design strategies and tangible improvements.

• Mentoring and Leading: Effectively guiding and developing junior designers while managing individual senior-level responsibilities, balancing leadership with execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Advancement: Opportunities to contribute to and evolve a large-scale design system, potentially leading to specialization in this area.

• E-commerce UX Expertise: Deepening understanding of e-commerce best practices, conversion optimization, and customer journey mapping within a leading online retail environment.

• AI & Design Tools: Learning to leverage emerging AI and automation technologies to enhance design processes and output.

• Leadership Skills: Developing mentorship, facilitation, and strategic influence capabilities through hands-on experience and potential formal training.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Potential for participation in relevant design conferences, workshops, and training sessions to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly linked to the role's responsibilities, particularly the emphasis on scalability, automation, and AI. These present opportunities for growth by pushing the boundaries of traditional design practices. The learning opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise in areas critical to modern digital product development and design operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you significantly improved a customer experience through UI/visual design. What was your process, what data did you use, and what was the impact?" (Focus on demonstrating data-driven decision-making, process, and measurable results.)

• "How do you approach building or contributing to a design system? What are the key considerations for scalability and maintainability?" (Assess understanding of design system principles, modularity, and long-term strategy.)

• "Imagine we need to personalize product recommendations on our homepage. How would you approach the design process for this feature, considering user data and brand consistency?" (Evaluate problem-solving skills, user-centricity, and ability to integrate data.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive? Can you provide an example of a challenge you faced and how you addressed it?" (Gauge commitment to inclusive design and practical application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about zooplus and our mission to make pet owners happier?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the company's purpose.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to zooplus' business objectives and team KPIs?" (Connect your work to business impact and strategic goals.)

• "Our culture emphasizes collaboration and embracing change. How do you thrive in such an environment?" (Align your working style with company values.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Impact-Driven Stories: Frame each case study as a narrative of a problem solved, your strategic approach, and the tangible positive outcomes achieved for users and the business.

• Quantify Everything Possible: Use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. If exact numbers aren't available, use strong qualitative evidence and logical reasoning.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – sketches, wireframes, prototypes, final UIs, and data visualizations – to illustrate your process and results.

• Explain Your "Why": Be ready to articulate the rationale behind every significant design decision, linking it back to user needs, business goals, or data insights.

• Highlight Collaboration: Specifically mention how you worked with other teams and stakeholders, and how you managed feedback and differing opinions.

• Design System Focus: If relevant projects exist, clearly present your contributions to or creation of design systems, emphasizing their scalability and impact on efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, impact, and collaborative capabilities, which are expected from a senior-level designer. The emphasis on showing how design work ties into business objectives and KPIs is crucial. The specific mention of AI and automation in the role's responsibilities suggests that interviewers might probe on this topic.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on SmartRecruiters.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experience in visual design, UI design, interaction design, design systems, and e-commerce, using keywords from the job description. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your senior-level skills, focusing on impact, process, and problem-solving. Ensure they align with e-commerce, scalable design, design systems, and data-driven approaches.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and demonstrating tangible business and user impact. Be ready to discuss your experience with collaboration and mentorship.

• Research Zooplus: Familiarize yourself with zooplus's brand, products, website, and app. Understand their market position, values, and any recent news or initiatives that might be relevant to the design team's work. Consider how you can contribute to their "power of plus" ethos.

⚠️ 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.