Ancillary Designer

UNISOURCE SOLUTIONS INC•Pico Rivera, CA

5d•$65,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

As an Ancillary Designer for Unisource Solutions, you will lead the ancillary scope across projects; curating product stories, developing lookbooks and layouts, and producing complete ancillary specifications for contract furniture. You'll serve as a hybrid bridge between the design and sales teams, acting as the primary ancillary resource for clients, account managers, and vendors from discovery through installation.

Requirements

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field.
2–5 years of experience in contract furniture, ancillary design, commercial interiors, or A&D.
Strong working knowledge of CET Designer (primary specification platform); proficient in Spec (.sif), In Design, Sketchup and Microsoft Office.
Familiarity with AutoCAD, Sketchup, and 20/20 CAP.
Working knowledge of Adobe Suite for visual presentations and marketing materials (aspirational; growth expected).
Active adopter of AI tools for renderings, flythroughs, and design communication.
Broad ancillary product knowledge across Haworth and open-line manufacturers; a creative eye for fabrics, finishes, and product storytelling.
Working knowledge of applicable building and furniture plan code requirements.
Strong client-facing presentation skills; comfortable presenting alongside sales and to A&D partners.
Established or emerging relationships within the design community (IIDA, NEWH) a plus.
Excellent organization, interpersonal communication, and vendor relationship skills.
Outstanding time management; proven ability to juggle multiple projects and bids under deadline pressure.
Detail-oriented, self-sufficient, and a proactive problem solver.

Nice To Haves

Established or emerging relationships within the design community (IIDA, NEWH) a plus.

Responsibilities

Participate in site walkthroughs, field measurements, and analysis of how ancillary spaces (lounge, café, huddle, collaborative zones) will function.
Contribute to the scope of work: headcount, culture cues, adjacencies, and stylistic direction with an ancillary lens.
Attend client meetings alongside the Account Manager as the design resource for ancillary scope.
Develop lookbooks, mood boards, and initial ancillary product stories that translate client culture into a curated visual narrative.
Produce Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing for ancillary scope using vendor tools, virtual library resources, Spec, and Excel.
Source across curated vendor options to identify solutions that align to budget, style, and lead time.
Develop layouts and space plans for ancillary areas; refine plans and product selections based on client feedback.
Generate 3D renderings and flythroughs (including AI-assisted renderings) to visually communicate design intent.
Coordinate finish and material selections; maintain a curated sample library ready for active projects.
Provide alternative design solutions when a primary option doesn't meet budget, lead time, or functional needs.
Generate complete, order-ready ancillary specifications in Spec (sif): part numbers, finishes, COM/COL, lead times.
Prepare accurate ancillary quotes and pricing packages; conduct double-checks on specifications, counts, and pricing before submission.
Lead and support client-facing design presentations through approval process.
Contribute to bid responses with ancillary-forward solutions.
Manage sample requests, product counts, and inventories aligned to project needs.
Conduct site visits to verify field dimensions and site conditions during critical project phases.
Attend punch walks and installations to provide on-site oversight and represent the ancillary scope to clients.
Support punch-list resolution: missing, damaged, or backordered ancillary components.
Maintain active manufacturer and vendor relationships; stay current on new and updated ancillary offerings.
Update and manage Unisource's internal ancillary package and reusable ancillary standards, templates, and pricing guides.
Attend trade shows and industry events; identify and communicate workplace trends that shape design narratives.
Support A&D and hospitality outreach to develop ancillary opportunities and pipeline.
Manage layouts and smaller ancillary-forward projects independently as capacity allows.
Contribute to DTLA Client Center activation — driving A&D partners in for material and product discovery.
Apply working knowledge of building and furniture plan code requirements to ancillary layouts — egress, ADA clearances, life safety.
Demonstrate strong knowledge of Haworth ancillary lines and applications.
Maintain active awareness of open-line ancillary manufacturers with comparative analysis on price, lead time, and function.
Update project status software daily; communicate availability, blockers, and shifting priorities openly with design and sales.
Manage project folders with current files; archive prior versions per standard naming conventions.
Champion greater use of technology and AI tools across the ancillary design workflow.