Interior Design Retail Sales Professional

Ethan Allen•Skokie, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Ethan Allen is a leading interior design destination, recognized as America's #1 Premium Furniture Retailer by Newsweek. With over 90 profitable years in business, the company manufactures approximately 75% of its custom-crafted products in North American workshops, maintaining a strong reputation for quality and craftsmanship. In its global network of Design Centers, Ethan Allen offers complimentary interior design services and sells a comprehensive range of home furnishings, including custom furniture and artisan-crafted accents. The company values talent, entrepreneurial drive, and the ability to build lasting client relationships. The Design Consultant's primary objective is to collaborate with customers to develop personalized design solutions, leading to the sale of Ethan Allen products and services. This involves space planning, fabric coordination, product selection, and overall project design. Success is measured by the ability to create individualized designs and achieve sales goals within a flexible, relationship-based selling environment. Performance is evaluated across categories such as teamwork, customer service, communication skills, decision-making, project development, presentation, and technical skills, as well as benchmarks including Minimum Monthly Sales, Home Calls, Accent Sales, Softgood Sales, Be-Backs, PI, Close Ratio, and participation in the Ethan Allen Trade Program. Design Consultants must be proficient in using social media platforms to promote the Ethan Allen brand, adhering to the company's Social Media Policy. Compensation is incentive-based, determined by commissions earned, with an expectation to meet or exceed Minimum Monthly Sales and other company benchmarks. This is a Full-Time position.

Requirements

Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent with relevant work experience.
Minimum of one (1) year of practical interior design experience.
Broad knowledge of interior design and effective sales techniques.
Working knowledge of online sales and design tools.
Good listening skills with excellent oral and written communication skills.
General understanding of how to utilize social media and grass-roots marketing to develop a book of business.
Valid driver’s license, except in limited circumstances in which the associate can establish to the Company’s satisfaction that they have available, for use during all business hours, an alternate means of transportation not requiring the operation of a motor vehicle which will enable them to perform the duties of their position.
Intermediate skill competency using digital floor planning technology.
Experience using interactive technology to view design concepts such as augmented reality, virtual reality and other visualization tools.
Willing and capable of learning new technologies.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a design-related field from an accredited institution, desirable.
Proven experience (in utilizing social media and grass-roots marketing to develop a book of business) preferred.
3D applications a plus (referring to digital floor planning technology).

Responsibilities

Create design solutions that are consistent with the customer’s preference and budget.
Sell Ethan Allen’s products and services.
Represent the Ethan Allen brand in all customer interactions.
Professionally greet customers in the design center to establish rapport and obtain appointments and in-home consultations.
Customarily and regularly make home calls to evaluate the customer’s needs and provide a total individualized design solution that closes the sale.
Utilize grassroots marketing and a variety of social media platforms to develop and grow the business.
Educate customers about the complimentary design service Ethan Allen provides, offering as little or as much design service as a customer desires.
Stay current on design and color trends to create fashionable design solutions.
Coordinate with the team to provide exceptional service to customers, before and after the sale, by promptly keeping customers informed of their order status including any delays.
Participate as required in all corporate sponsored marketing and training programs.
Educate customers on all the Ethan Allen sponsored finance options available to them.
Contribute towards the development and on-going upkeep of the design center’s portfolio.
Utilize corporate systems and technology to maximize efficiency in designing projects, creating presentations, and providing professional service for the design team’s customers.
Enter orders utilizing the retail point of sale system.
Work cooperatively in maintaining a neat and orderly design center projection.
Work with the Design Center Leader/Design Sales Leader and Design Consultants to develop business plans and grass roots marketing plans to further our market reach and exceed written goals; monitor effectiveness of the plans.
Provide suggestions to modify plan based on reaching specific goals and objectives.
Utilize all technology, such as 3-D Room Planner, CRM, Live Chat, etc. to build volume of projects and productive relationships with prospective and current clients.
Utilize appropriate social media (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, etc.) to heighten own presence as well as Ethan Allen’s presence.
Continually build relationships with outside talent via social media, such as LinkedIn, to build a network in the market.
Perform any other duties as required.