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ZORO.COM
Chicago, IL / Hybrid
Director, Digital Design and Research
Full-timeDirectorPosted 2 weeks ago
About This Role
Company Summary
Zoro.com is a leading eCommerce platform offering nearly 12 million tools, parts and supplies for our business customers. Launched in 2011, we brought a B2C-like experience to the B2B industry, and continue to be at the forefront of digital innovation at the intersection of technology and distribution. We have rapidly grown to over $1 billion in annual revenue and we’re just getting started!
Role Summary
The Director, Digital Design and Research leads the strategy, execution, and evolution of design and user research for Zoro.com. This role is accountable for delivering intuitive, scalable, and differentiated digital experiences that drive customer satisfaction, conversion, and lifetime value across a $1.2B B2B eCommerce business.
Reporting to the VP / Chief Digital Experience Officer, the Director partners closely with Product, Engineering, Marketing, Brand, Analytics, and Operations to shape customer-centered product roadmaps and ensure design excellence at scale. This leader will manage and develop a senior team of design and research managers, principals, and leads, while establishing a strong design and research operating model and a true Center of Excellence for Zoro.
Key Responsibilities
Zoro’s total compensation plan includes our Zoro Incentive Plan (ZIP) that is designed to foster and reward our team members for strong performance. Total compensation will be highly competitive.
In addition to competitive compensation, Zoro offers comprehensive benefits and perks including:
The pay range provided is not a guarantee of compensation. The range listed reflects the expected base pay for this position at the time of posting, based on the role's job grade. Actual compensation may vary depending on factors such as location, relevant experience and individual qualifications.
Illinois
$142,400—$237,400 USD
Our Culture
Zoro was founded in 2011 with a simple idea: make it easy for businesses to get the tools, parts, and supplies they need to keep things running. We've grown by staying curious, moving quickly, and solving everyday challenges in smart, practical ways. Backed by W.W. Grainger and inspired by our endless assortment business model, we’re on a clear path toward our next big milestone: $2 billion in revenue—and beyond.
At Zoro, we don’t just follow a playbook—we help build it. You’ll get to work on real problems with a supportive team that shares ideas freely, learns from each other, and celebrates wins together. Our culture is grounded in values that guide how we show up every day: Winning & Learning Together, Being Customer Obsessed, Being Transparent, and Taking Ownership. We don’t have all the answers, but we’re always asking good questions.
Zoro’s culture has been recognized by Fortune, Best Places to Work, and Built In Chicago—but the recognition we care about most comes from our team members, who make this place what it is.
We also know that flexibility matters. Our hybrid work model gives you space to focus and the flexibility to live your life — asking team members to be onsite at least two days a week. Our Chicago HQ (right above Ogilvie Transportation Center in the Accenture Tower) is always open and ready for connection, collaboration, or just a good cup of coffee.
At Zoro, we’re growing fast toward big aspirations — and we’re continuously excited about the new challenges we get to solve together.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are also committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one’s employment. Should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, including, but not limited to use of our website, any part of the application, interview, or hiring process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.
Zoro.com is a leading eCommerce platform offering nearly 12 million tools, parts and supplies for our business customers. Launched in 2011, we brought a B2C-like experience to the B2B industry, and continue to be at the forefront of digital innovation at the intersection of technology and distribution. We have rapidly grown to over $1 billion in annual revenue and we’re just getting started!
Role Summary
The Director, Digital Design and Research leads the strategy, execution, and evolution of design and user research for Zoro.com. This role is accountable for delivering intuitive, scalable, and differentiated digital experiences that drive customer satisfaction, conversion, and lifetime value across a $1.2B B2B eCommerce business.
Reporting to the VP / Chief Digital Experience Officer, the Director partners closely with Product, Engineering, Marketing, Brand, Analytics, and Operations to shape customer-centered product roadmaps and ensure design excellence at scale. This leader will manage and develop a senior team of design and research managers, principals, and leads, while establishing a strong design and research operating model and a true Center of Excellence for Zoro.
Key Responsibilities
- Set and communicate a clear vision for end-to-end digital experience across Zoro.com, grounded in customer needs and business outcomes
- Lead and evolve a multidisciplinary organization spanning UX, UI, design systems, and user research
- Translate company and digital strategy into experience principles, design priorities, and measurable outcomes
- Drive experience improvements that increase ease of use, efficiency, and confidence for complex B2B buying journeys
- Partner with executive leadership on experience strategy, tradeoffs, and investment decisions
- Own the vision, governance, and evolution of Zoro’s design system to ensure consistency, accessibility, and scalability across platforms
- Lead, coach, and develop senior design and research leaders; build strong succession and talent pipelines
- Promote customer-centered design and research practices across Zoro and in partnership with product management and engineering; act as a visible change agent and educator
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or formal training in HCI, Human Factors, Design, Research, or related fields strongly preferred
- 10+ years of experience in digital product design, UX, or research, with at least 5 years in people leadership roles
- Experience designing for complex, high-traffic eCommerce or marketplace platforms; B2B experience strongly preferred
- Ability to lead and scale design and research teams within modern product organizations
- Knowledge of Lean UX, Design Thinking, Agile product development, and experimentation practices
- Demonstrated track record of translating customer insight and design strategy into measurable business impact
- Effective communication, storytelling, and stakeholder management skills
- Comfortable operating at both strategic and detailed levels in a fast-paced environment
Zoro’s total compensation plan includes our Zoro Incentive Plan (ZIP) that is designed to foster and reward our team members for strong performance. Total compensation will be highly competitive.
In addition to competitive compensation, Zoro offers comprehensive benefits and perks including:
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
- Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents. We also support growing your family through access to adoption assistance program
- 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist and Wellhub portal membership to support your mental and emotional wellbeing
- At least 18 paid time off days annually for full-time employees and 6 company holidays per year
- 6% company contribution to a 401K Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required
- Tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and access to financial counseling, education, and tools
- Charitable Gift Program - match gift to an eligible educational, cultural, community health, and human service organizations
- Employee discounts and admission to various civic and cultural institutions around Chicago
- Zoro office perks including coffee bar, beer on tap, unlimited snacks, access to the onsite gym, and incredible city skyline views
The pay range provided is not a guarantee of compensation. The range listed reflects the expected base pay for this position at the time of posting, based on the role's job grade. Actual compensation may vary depending on factors such as location, relevant experience and individual qualifications.
Illinois
$142,400—$237,400 USD
Our Culture
Zoro was founded in 2011 with a simple idea: make it easy for businesses to get the tools, parts, and supplies they need to keep things running. We've grown by staying curious, moving quickly, and solving everyday challenges in smart, practical ways. Backed by W.W. Grainger and inspired by our endless assortment business model, we’re on a clear path toward our next big milestone: $2 billion in revenue—and beyond.
At Zoro, we don’t just follow a playbook—we help build it. You’ll get to work on real problems with a supportive team that shares ideas freely, learns from each other, and celebrates wins together. Our culture is grounded in values that guide how we show up every day: Winning & Learning Together, Being Customer Obsessed, Being Transparent, and Taking Ownership. We don’t have all the answers, but we’re always asking good questions.
Zoro’s culture has been recognized by Fortune, Best Places to Work, and Built In Chicago—but the recognition we care about most comes from our team members, who make this place what it is.
We also know that flexibility matters. Our hybrid work model gives you space to focus and the flexibility to live your life — asking team members to be onsite at least two days a week. Our Chicago HQ (right above Ogilvie Transportation Center in the Accenture Tower) is always open and ready for connection, collaboration, or just a good cup of coffee.
At Zoro, we’re growing fast toward big aspirations — and we’re continuously excited about the new challenges we get to solve together.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are also committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one’s employment. Should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, including, but not limited to use of our website, any part of the application, interview, or hiring process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.