Product Manager – UX & Design system (m/f/d) in Bonn

OVERVIEW

Fairtrade is the most recognized and trusted sustainability label, working to make trade fairer for people and planet.

For more than three decades, Fairtrade has been making an impact on the way trade works. We believe that every farmer and worker should have access to a better way of doing business, and a better way of living.

Fairtrade International is an independent non‑profit organisation representing more than two million small‑scale farmers and workers worldwide. It owns the FAIRTRADE Mark, a registered trademark that appears on more than 37,000 products. Beyond certification, Fairtrade International and its member organisations (three producer networks and 19 national Fairtrade organisations) partner with producers and businesses, engage consumers, and advocate for a fair and sustainable future.

Unit’s description and purpose:

Fairtrade Digital brings together product management, engineering, customer success, data insights and data governance to provide digital & data solutions to customers within the Fairtrade system and across Fairtrade supply chains – from producers through traders to brands and retail partners.

PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Main Responsibilities:

We are seeking a Product Manager with a focus on shaping the user experience across the Fairtrade Digital product portfolio. In this role, you will combine product management, user research, and UX & UI design capabilities to support the efficient delivery of digital products that offer a consistent and accessible user experience to Fairtrade's customers in alignment with Fairtrade's strategic objectives.

Experience Design and Delivery

• Create user journeys, service blueprints, and interaction designs for new solution concepts being explored by Fairtrade Digital.
• Develop wireframes and interactive prototypes to validate solution concepts with stakeholders and inform solution development.
• Define information architecture, user flows, and UI layout for new feature developments in close collaboration with product managers.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure quality and consistency during implementation.

Cross-Product UX and UI Design System

• Define and document design standards, patterns, accessibility requirements and reusable user interface components.
• Maintain and govern shared design assets and visual identity in alignment
• Promote consistent UX design, usability, and accessibility across the Fairtrade Digital portfolio.
• Review product demos to ensure consistency of user experience, identify UX/UI design issues and provide feedback on potential improvements.

Product Discovery and Research

• Establish and promote user-centred design practices and user research methods.
• Lead user research activities and continuous usage monitoring to identify and understand user needs, pain points and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with product managers during product discovery activites.
• Translate user insights into product concepts, design requirements and strategic recommendations.

Product and Team Communication

• Coordinate unit-level and product-related communications across the unit and with the Communications team.
• Support the visibility of product developments, releases, outcomes, and priorities.
• Translate complicated product and technical matters into audience-appropriate communication.
• Establish and maintain Fairtrade Digital's presence on the Fairtrade Hub as a central internal communication channel.

Perform other duties and tasks, consistent with the skills and expertise as required

SKILLS REQUIRED

Level of education: Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Design, Computer Science, Information Systems, Psychology, Business, or a related field.

Years of professional experience: A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a relevant area of work.

Job Specific Competencies/Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of user-centred design methodologies.
• Experience in conducting user research activities.
• Ability to translate user research findings into actionable product requirements.
• Experience with wireframing, prototyping and interaction design.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
• Experience measuring and improving user experience through qualitative and quantitative data.
• Familiarity with web application development processes and front‑end technology foundations.
• Ability to facilitate workshops and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Understanding of Agile product development practices.

Personal Qualities

• Strong empathy for users and customers.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills.
• Collaborative and highly supportive team player.
• Comfortable working across technical and business domains.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning mindset.
• High attention to detail and quality.
• Motivation for Fairtrade and its mission.

Software Tools:

• Figma or similar wireframing and prototyping tools.
• Microsoft Clarity, Hotjar, or similar user analytics tools.
• Miro
• Microsoft 365 suite

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is a full‑time position (38.5 hours per week) within Fairtrade International.
• Starting date: as soon as possible.
• Based in Bonn with hybrid working options available.
• The office language is English.
• Salary as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Wholesale and Foreign Trade Industries for North Rhine Westphalia Group VIa and over tariff payments.
• Holiday Bonus and 13th salary.
• 30 days of holidays per year (for full‑time employees).

Please note that Fairtrade International is strict on compliance with the required qualification criteria mentioned above, and only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

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