Commercial Furniture Dealer Design Manager

Henricksen•Milwaukee, WI

14d•$100,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

Henricksen is seeking a Design Manager for its Milwaukee, Wisconsin office. The Design Manager champions and executes Design team, department, and office priorities to advance business goals and outcomes. The role manages Design team operations in accordance with department guidelines, core processes, and proven practices, while optimizing talent and wellbeing through effective workload management, distribution, prioritization, and negotiation. The Design Manager fosters engagement across departments, vendor partners, and clients to execute design projects and solutions, strengthens relationships that support team performance and growth, and contributes to the quality of project delivery, engagement, outcomes, and service. Henricksen is a full-service contract furniture dealership serving office, healthcare, education, government, senior living, and hospitality markets. Founded in 1962, the company has twelve offices across several states and Washington, DC, more than 300 full-time employees, annual sales of more than $300 million, and more than 300 manufacturer partnerships.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in a design, construction, and/or customer service role.
Successful track record in project and/or team management.
Direct experience in an office furnishings dealership, construction, or related service environment.
High proficiency in AutoCAD, CAP Studio or Project Matrix, and Configura CET, along with proven graphic layout skills.
Proven track record in a customer-facing environment, internally and externally.
Ability to execute complex, high-volume projects simultaneously in an organized, creative, and quality-driven manner.
Conscientious and flexible approach, strong work ethic, and problem-solving, process, and team orientation.
Excellent customer-service and interpersonal skills.
Strong learning and coaching capabilities to foster continuous learning and professional development.
Effective written and verbal communication and collaboration across varied audiences, situations, and mediums.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office365 applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

College degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field from a CIDA-accredited program.
NCIDQ and state certifications.
Experience supporting high-volume sales executives.
Active membership in relevant associations.

Responsibilities

Engage with Design Leads and market leadership to maintain standardized design processes, support ongoing development, and promote accountability.
Monitor design work to ensure quality outcomes aligned with design requirements and core processes.
Collaborate with Design leadership across offices to identify trends and recommend improvements.
Contribute to and champion process-improvement initiatives with sales and customer service teams.
Distribute, balance, and prioritize workload across the Design team; adjust assignments and team composition to leverage talent and improve engagement and outcomes.
Monitor projects, remove roadblocks, and provide resources, support, and tools needed for success.
Manage expectations and resources across sales support teams and Account Executives, and resolve issues within and between departments and offices.
Troubleshoot and escalate inquiries and issues proactively to expedite resolution and minimize risks, errors, and inefficiencies.
Communicate across departments about updates and changes in pricing, products, and processes.
Maintain team operations in alignment with department and office direction and guidelines.
Collaborate across Design leadership and teams on initiatives and programs that support engagement and targeted results.
Manage and approve expenses and vacation and time-off schedules, ensuring adequate workload and holiday coverage and compliance.
Make decisions and recommendations aligned with department priorities and plans; address performance and policy-compliance issues using proven practices and seek support as needed.
Collaborate with Human Resources and market leadership on workforce-planning priorities.
Contribute to candidate selection and onboarding activities that promote team-member integration and community development.
Execute performance management and provide recommendations and ongoing feedback to recognize performance and develop goals.
Advocate for team wellbeing, growth, and interests through formal and informal initiatives and programs.
Model and reinforce a values-driven, inclusive culture across the team and office.
Build and foster quality relationships across the organization and with key clients and partners.
Represent and reinforce the Henricksen brand with industry partners, vendors, and influencers.
Use relationships and industry expertise to execute work in the best interests of all parties and promote a sense of community.