Retail Interior Design Sales Professional

Ethan Allen Global Inc•Skokie, IL

14h•$70,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The Design Consultant works with customers to create individualized interior design solutions and sell Ethan Allen products and services. Projects may include space planning, fabric coordination, product selection, and overall design, tailored to each customer’s preferences and budget. The role combines design work with relationship-based selling, with success measured by customer service, teamwork, communication, decision-making, project development, presentation and technical skills, as well as sales and other business benchmarks. Design Consultants are expected to develop customer relationships, meet or exceed monthly sales goals, make regular home calls, and use grassroots marketing and social media to grow their business and promote the Ethan Allen brand. The role is full-time and uses incentive-based compensation, with total compensation determined by commissions earned under the Design Consultant Incentive Compensation Plan. A recoverable draw typically ranges from $30,000 to $70,000 annually based on written sales; potential income for experienced consultants averages $70,000 to $115,000 per year, with top writers earning $200,000 or more. The position uses corporate systems and technology to design projects, prepare presentations, manage customer relationships, and enter orders. Consultants coordinate with their team to provide service before and after the sale, keep customers updated on order status, maintain the design center, participate in corporate marketing and training, and help develop and monitor business and grassroots marketing plans. Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent and relevant work experience, at least one year of practical interior design experience, and a valid driver’s license unless an acceptable alternative means of transportation is established. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a design-related field is desirable. The role also requires broad interior design knowledge, sales skills, communication and listening abilities, familiarity with online sales and design tools, and the ability to learn new technologies. Benefits are offered, with availability varying by employee classification.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent with relevant work experience.
At least one 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 and excellent oral and written communication skills.
General understanding of using social media and grassroots marketing to develop a book of business.
Valid driver’s license, unless an acceptable alternative means of transportation is established that enables performance of the role’s duties during business hours.
Intermediate competency using digital floor-planning technology.
Experience using interactive technology to view design concepts, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and other visualization tools.
Willingness and ability to learn new technologies.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a design-related field from an accredited institution.
Proven experience using social media and grassroots marketing to develop a book of business.
Experience with 3D applications.

Responsibilities

Create design solutions consistent with customers’ preferences and budgets.
Sell Ethan Allen products and services.
Represent the Ethan Allen brand in customer interactions; greet customers, establish rapport, obtain appointments, and conduct in-home consultations.
Make regular home calls to assess customer needs and provide individualized design solutions intended to close sales.
Use grassroots marketing and social media platforms to develop and grow business and promote the Ethan Allen brand.
Educate customers about Ethan Allen’s complimentary design service and available finance options.
Stay current on design and color trends.
Coordinate with the team to provide customer service before and after the sale, including timely updates about order status and delays.
Participate in corporate-sponsored marketing and training programs as required.
Contribute to the development and ongoing upkeep of the design center’s portfolio.
Use corporate systems and technology to design projects, create presentations, and provide professional customer service.
Enter orders using the retail point-of-sale system.
Help maintain a neat and orderly design center.
Work with the Design Center Leader/Design Sales Leader and Design Consultants to develop and monitor business and grassroots marketing plans, and suggest modifications to support goals.
Use technology such as 3-D Room Planner, CRM, and Live Chat to build project volume and productive client relationships.
Use social media such as Facebook and Instagram to build personal and company presence, and use platforms such as LinkedIn to develop relationships with outside talent.
Perform other duties as required.