Sales Associate

Visual Comfort & Co. • Raleigh, NC

12d • $31 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

Visual Comfort & Co. is hiring a Sales Associate to combine showroom sales with technical project design responsibilities. The role serves trade and consumer clients with lighting and shading solutions, supporting projects from inception through completion. The Sales Associate delivers design consultation, manages the sales process and client relationships, supports project documentation, and helps maintain showroom standards. The showroom is closed Sundays and operates Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Team members work a five-day rotating schedule that includes two Saturdays per month.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of retail or showroom sales experience.
• Prior experience in the design or building products industry, such as interior design, custom home construction, luxury furnishings, or lighting.
• High school diploma.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with CRM/ERP systems for client management and project tracking.
• Project management skills and the ability to manage client expectations and timelines.
• Strong product design knowledge, including the ability to interpret floor plans and lighting layouts.
• Technical understanding of lighting specifications, including color temperature, CRI, lumens, and dimming, and of control systems such as Lutron and Control4.
• Ability to build relationships with architects, builders, and designers and represent the brand at industry events.
• Proficiency in preparing proposals, BOMs, and technical documentation.
• Excellent communication, emotional intelligence, and professionalism in client interactions.
• Organization and attention to detail, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to ongoing training and staying current on lighting technologies.
• Consistently represent Visual Comfort’s brand values and commitment to service.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States; employment-based immigration sponsorship and other immigration sponsorship or benefit assistance are not provided.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in luxury home furnishings, lighting, or building materials is preferred.
• Lighting experience is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of D365 preferred.

Responsibilities

• Achieve and consistently surpass individual and showroom sales objectives.
• Manage all phases of the sales process from opportunity to invoice while providing exceptional customer service.
• Manage the sales pipeline through consistent follow-up and follow-through, using order entry software and other communication methods.
• Provide design consultation and product recommendations to trade and retail clients, including guidance on lighting selections.
• Present sales demonstrations featuring lighting, controls, and shading solutions, and use collaborative, design-driven sales strategies to secure client commitment.
• Develop and sustain relationships with architects, builders, interior designers, and homeowners, independently and in collaboration with the Business Development Specialist.
• Identify client objectives and explain how company systems support their design goals.
• Work with project management to align deliverables with approved designs.
• Collaborate with the Visual Comfort & Co Design Studio to prepare documentation for design and engineering teams, supporting construction documents and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Respond to client inquiries and ensure a thorough understanding of proposed lighting and shading solutions.
• Maintain current knowledge of lighting technology, control systems, and automated shading.
• Keep the showroom clean, well-presented, organized, and aligned with brand standards to support sales objectives.
• Develop proficiency with company order entry and operating systems.
• Manage showroom opening and closing procedures, including participation in the rotating Saturday schedule.
• Work effectively with colleagues to accomplish organizational goals and identify and resolve problems.
• Adhere to Visual Comfort Company Values and demonstrate commitment, dependability, punctuality, and consistent workplace presence.

Benefits

• Generous vacation accrual and paid time off policies.
• Seven paid holidays per year plus two floating holidays.
• Competitive base salary plus monthly variable compensation and bonus opportunity.
• Company covers the majority of employee medical premiums.
• Vision and dental coverage available beginning the first day of the month following the start date.
• Company-provided life insurance and short-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) plan with company matching up to 4%, available beginning the first of the month following.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED