Design Associate

La-Z-Boy•Columbus, OH

3d•$55,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Design Associate creates sales through exceptional customer service and knowledge of La-Z-Boy’s products, services, and selling process. The role focuses on building lasting customer relationships, contributing to store sales and design-program goals, and developing interior-design awareness through practical experience and collaboration with a La-Z-Boy Designer. Responsibilities include selling furniture, accessories, and services; promoting the Design program; scheduling professional home consultations; and supporting design-related store functions. The associate provides customer assistance throughout the sales process, handles follow-up and service concerns, and helps maintain a positive customer experience. The role also supports store operations, including maintaining displays and design materials, completing orders and system logs, coordinating deliveries, keeping customer records, and opening and closing the store. The associate works collaboratively with store employees and helps train and coach peers on product knowledge and selling skills. Training pay is $15 per hour for 2–6 weeks, with no commissions during training. After training, base pay is $12.50 per hour, varying by store location, plus uncapped commission and a quarterly bonus opportunity. The stated average annual earning potential after training is $55,000–$75,000 or more. The position is scheduled for 40 hours per week and may require evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Excellent communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
Strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, build rapport, and positively influence others.
Demonstrated persuasion and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage time and conflicting priorities effectively.
Ability to work effectively and productively as part of a team.
Ability to work the schedule and hours dictated by business needs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
Initiative to meet assigned goals, missions, and objectives, and motivation to achieve more.
Strong attention to detail.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods.
Ability to use repetitive hand motions nearly continuously and to hear and listen; often required to sit, walk, bend, and stoop.
Ability to pass a background and drug screen.

Nice To Haves

Previous selling experience and ability to close a sale.
Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field.

Responsibilities

Contribute to store sales goals by selling furniture, accessories, and services.
Promote the Design program and assist the Designer in achieving established program sales goals.
Follow the La-Z-Boy selling process and provide a favorable customer experience.
Apply sales skills, including building rapport, discovering customer needs, presenting customized options, addressing objections, closing sales, and providing follow-up and after-sale service.
Use store promotions, marketing initiatives, and grassroots programs to support sales.
Maintain knowledge of existing and new product features and benefits.
Schedule professional home consultations and present customized room designs, fabric samples, furniture, tables, accessory recommendations, and professional installation benefits.
Follow and champion the established Design process and support design-related store functions.
Provide high-quality service to current and prospective customers, using Podium to support satisfaction and follow-up.
Respond to phone calls and emails, assist with customer issues and complaints, and offer appropriate solutions.
Maintain positive working relationships with store employees and help train, coach, and develop peers.
Help promote a culture of sales and service.
Maintain the store’s visual appearance, including displays, product tags, accessory catalogs, design-center fabrics, floor moves, and general cleanliness.
Complete order information accurately, collect deposits and fees, maintain customer records, and research customer payments and deliveries.
Complete daily On-Point system logs accurately.
Schedule customer deliveries and open and close the store.
Demonstrate enthusiasm and urgency while maintaining knowledge of company standards, products, processes, and systems.