Product Design Lead Jobs in Rhode Island
Product Design Lead jobs in Rhode Island are concentrated in Providence's growing tech and creative economy, with additional demand from health technology firms and digital product studios in Pawtucket and Newport. Major employers with lasting Rhode Island footprints include Atrion Networking, Amgen, and Brown University, where product design leads work on platforms tied to healthcare technology, research tools, and enterprise software. The most in-demand specialties are UX systems design, interaction design, and design operations leadership. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Product Design Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 20+ Product Design Lead jobs
Job Description:
Develop solutions, across functional disciplines such as: network design, facility design, WMS & emerging technologies.
Develop people, procedures, and training to ensure efficient and effective warehouse operations to achieve significant P&L contributions across UNFI business units.
Develop competitive solutions for customers to increase service levels and reduce OPEX. Lead solution development and drives the end-to-end development and solutioning of UNFI capacity projects through warehouse sizing, warehouse design, assessing network capacity, network supply chain design and developing an optimal design to meet all stakeholder demands.
Own delivery and financial performance of assigned solutions design projects. Effectively lead and organize other cross-functional teams in support of project development and execution, including but not limited to IT, automation, local sites, regional operations, transportation, warehouse slotting, finance and others as needed. Evaluate operational, service, and capital trade-offs.
Provide financial oversight for assigned initiatives. Identify cross-project risks and evaluate major trade-off decisions to reporting manager with recommended resolution paths.
Ensure project execution aligns with enterprise design standards, methodologies and design direction established by senior leadership. Lead continuous improvement and re-engineering initiatives such as, but no limited to process re-design and improvements, warehouse layout design, slotting, varying levels of automation.
Deliver improvements to UNFI’s supply chain through various types of projects including facility design and automation business case development. Lead and develop Solutions Design Managers and Analysts. Foster team growth and inspire high performance.
Lead talent identification, recruitment, and development to build a strong, future ready team. Provide advanced analytical support on reengineering and continuous improvement projects. Incorporate appropriate business skills into design work (e.g. statistics, operations research, organizational behavior, finance, accounting, information technology etc.).
Develop and present capital investment recommendations and financial analysis for review by Senior Director and Vice President.
Design new tools and supports the development of national Facility Design standards and playbook.
Ensure Direct Reports are well trained, effective, and optimally used. Coach Managers regarding policy, procedure, and program changes. Conduct performance appraisals as required.
Formulates and implements corrective actions as needed. Recommends promotions, transfers, and salary adjustments as appropriate. Assume responsibility for ensuring professional business relationships are established and maintained with customers, vendors, the business community, and trade organizations.
Exhibit a commitment to excellence and to superior customer service – both external and internal – in every aspect of the warehousing function.
Work with warehouse leadership to analyze trends, implement new technologies and drive overall performance to maximize customer satisfaction, reduce costs, improve efficiencies and implement corrective actions to resolve any issues. Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervises 3 subordinates - Managers, Solutions Design and Managers Project Slotting Optimization
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:
Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Logistics Engineering, a related field, or a foreign equivalent plus 3 years of post-baccalaureate experience in job offered or any supply chain/logistics related job titles.
-
Applicants must have 3 years of experience in the following:
(1) supply chain design, network optimization or operations transformation;
(2) developing and defending capital investment business cases;
(3) AutoCAD and Ability to analyze data sets with Analytical Tools including MS Power BI, Access, Alteryx;
(4) Implementing new warehouse distribution centers and warehouse automation;
(5) Working in the wholesale food distribution systems and third party logistics providers;
(6) optimizing warehouse performance, reducing operational costs, and enhancing warehouse efficiency;
(7) Implementing new warehouse distribution centers and warehouse automation; and
-
(8) Warehouse design including layouts, elevations, rack systems, sizing, capacity, and wms system capabilities as well as warehouse budgeting (labor, opex, capex). 0-10%
Domestic travel required to visit company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons. 100% telecommuting required.
Compensation: $189,767/year
UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Compensation:
UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.
Benefits:
For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.
Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.
UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.
Job Description:
Develop solutions, across functional disciplines such as: network design, facility design, WMS & emerging technologies.
Develop people, procedures, and training to ensure efficient and effective warehouse operations to achieve significant P&L contributions across UNFI business units.
Develop competitive solutions for customers to increase service levels and reduce OPEX. Lead solution development and drives the end-to-end development and solutioning of UNFI capacity projects through warehouse sizing, warehouse design, assessing network capacity, network supply chain design and developing an optimal design to meet all stakeholder demands.
Own delivery and financial performance of assigned solutions design projects. Effectively lead and organize other cross-functional teams in support of project development and execution, including but not limited to IT, automation, local sites, regional operations, transportation, warehouse slotting, finance and others as needed. Evaluate operational, service, and capital trade-offs.
Provide financial oversight for assigned initiatives. Identify cross-project risks and evaluate major trade-off decisions to reporting manager with recommended resolution paths.
Ensure project execution aligns with enterprise design standards, methodologies and design direction established by senior leadership. Lead continuous improvement and re-engineering initiatives such as, but no limited to process re-design and improvements, warehouse layout design, slotting, varying levels of automation.
Deliver improvements to UNFI’s supply chain through various types of projects including facility design and automation business case development. Lead and develop Solutions Design Managers and Analysts. Foster team growth and inspire high performance.
Lead talent identification, recruitment, and development to build a strong, future ready team. Provide advanced analytical support on reengineering and continuous improvement projects. Incorporate appropriate business skills into design work (e.g. statistics, operations research, organizational behavior, finance, accounting, information technology etc.).
Develop and present capital investment recommendations and financial analysis for review by Senior Director and Vice President.
Design new tools and supports the development of national Facility Design standards and playbook.
Ensure Direct Reports are well trained, effective, and optimally used. Coach Managers regarding policy, procedure, and program changes. Conduct performance appraisals as required.
Formulates and implements corrective actions as needed. Recommends promotions, transfers, and salary adjustments as appropriate. Assume responsibility for ensuring professional business relationships are established and maintained with customers, vendors, the business community, and trade organizations.
Exhibit a commitment to excellence and to superior customer service – both external and internal – in every aspect of the warehousing function.
Work with warehouse leadership to analyze trends, implement new technologies and drive overall performance to maximize customer satisfaction, reduce costs, improve efficiencies and implement corrective actions to resolve any issues. Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervises 3 subordinates - Managers, Solutions Design and Managers Project Slotting Optimization
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:
Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Logistics Engineering, a related field, or a foreign equivalent plus 3 years of post-baccalaureate experience in job offered or any supply chain/logistics related job titles.
-
Applicants must have 3 years of experience in the following:
(1) supply chain design, network optimization or operations transformation;
(2) developing and defending capital investment business cases;
(3) AutoCAD and Ability to analyze data sets with Analytical Tools including MS Power BI, Access, Alteryx;
(4) Implementing new warehouse distribution centers and warehouse automation;
(5) Working in the wholesale food distribution systems and third party logistics providers;
(6) optimizing warehouse performance, reducing operational costs, and enhancing warehouse efficiency;
(7) Implementing new warehouse distribution centers and warehouse automation; and
-
(8) Warehouse design including layouts, elevations, rack systems, sizing, capacity, and wms system capabilities as well as warehouse budgeting (labor, opex, capex). 0-10%
Domestic travel required to visit company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons. 100% telecommuting required.
Compensation: $189,767/year
UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Compensation:
UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.
Benefits:
For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.
Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.
UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.
See All 20 Product Design Lead Jobs in Rhode Island
Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Product Design Lead JobsProduct Design Lead Jobs by City in Rhode Island
Where Rhode Island roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Product Design Lead Job Market in Rhode Island
A snapshot from current Rhode Island openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Raytheon3
- UNFI1
- AMETEK1
- Cohera1C
- SEACORP1
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
- Electronics & Hardware1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What Rhode Island Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in product design lead jobs across Rhode Island.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in product design, interaction design, or a closely related field
- At least five years of product design experience including two or more years leading a team
- Demonstrated portfolio showing end-to-end product design work from research to shipped features
- Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, or comparable design and prototyping tools
- Experience running design critiques, setting design standards, and mentoring junior designers
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with product managers and engineers in an Agile environment
Product Design Lead Jobs in Rhode Island: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a product design lead in Rhode Island?
Product design lead roles in Rhode Island do not require a state-issued license. The typical path begins with a degree in product design, human-computer interaction, or a related field, followed by several years as an individual contributor building a portfolio of shipped digital products. Rhode Island employers, particularly those in Providence's tech corridor and health technology sector, consistently promote from within, so candidates who demonstrate design systems thinking and cross-functional influence move into lead roles without additional credentials.
How much do product design leads make in Rhode Island?
Product design leads in Rhode Island earn a median of about $101,140 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $57,810 for the lowest 10% to over $137,580 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire product design leads in Rhode Island?
Employers hiring product design leads in Rhode Island right now include Raytheon, UNFI, and AMETEK, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Rhode Island's concentration of health technology companies, digital agencies, and university-affiliated research ventures makes it a consistent source of senior-level product design openings year-round.
Which Rhode Island cities have the most product design lead jobs?
Portsmouth, Providence, and Bristol account for the most product design lead openings in Rhode Island. Providence dominates because it is home to the state's largest tech employers, creative agencies, and Brown University's affiliated ventures, while Pawtucket and Newport have attracted digital product studios and health technology firms that generate consistent demand for senior design talent.
Are there remote product design lead jobs in Rhode Island?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 50% of product design lead openings tied to Rhode Island are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting how naturally the work translates to distributed teams. The parts of the role most often done remotely are design reviews, stakeholder presentations, and async critiques, while on-site presence is most common during product discovery sprints or team workshops.
How can I get hired as a product design lead in Rhode Island with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an associate or mid-level product designer role at a Providence-based health technology company or digital agency, then building toward a lead title by owning a product area end-to-end. Institutions affiliated with Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design often post junior and contract design roles that serve as direct pipelines into lead positions. Lateral moves from UX research or visual design, combined with a portfolio that shows design decision-making and team influence, give candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to product design lead jobs in Rhode Island?
You can find and apply to product design lead jobs in Rhode Island on Migrate Mate, which lists current Rhode Island openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 20 Product Design Lead Jobs in Rhode Island
Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Product Design Lead Jobs