52268 - DESIGN CONSULTANT

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: 52268 - DESIGN CONSULTANT

Company: Bassett Furniture

Location: Mason, Ohio, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Sales / Retail / Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-16T04:00:00

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive revenue growth through expert interior design consultations and consultative selling within a retail showroom environment.

• Cultivate and maintain long-term customer relationships by understanding and translating client needs, lifestyle, and budget into personalized design solutions.

• Leverage comprehensive knowledge of furniture construction, design trends, color theory, and texture coordination to create compelling product and design presentations.

• Execute a "relationship selling" approach, including in-home or virtual makeovers, to maximize sales opportunities and customer satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and required skills clearly indicate a strong sales and clienteling component within the interior design and furniture retail sector. The role is focused on direct revenue generation through consultative sales and relationship management, rather than purely advisory design work.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth interior design consultations with clients, actively listening to understand their needs, aesthetic preferences, lifestyle, and investment range.

• Develop and present comprehensive product and design solutions, effectively translating client requirements into actionable design plans and furniture selections.

• Proactively build and nurture a loyal client base through personalized outreach, follow-up, and exceptional customer service, aiming to exceed sales goals.

• Utilize "relationship selling" techniques, including in-home or virtual makeovers and design consultations, to enhance customer engagement and drive sales conversions.

• Maintain an expert-level understanding of Bassett Furniture's product catalog, including furniture construction, materials, customization options, and current design trends.

• Manage the entire sales cycle from initial client engagement through to final sale, ensuring a seamless and positive customer experience.

• Collaborate with showroom teams to drive overall sales performance and contribute to a positive and productive work environment.

• Stay abreast of emerging interior design trends and incorporate them into client consultations and showroom displays to maintain relevance and appeal.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw description emphasizes "relationship selling" and "customer relationships," which directly translates to proactive clienteling, lead nurturing, and post-sale follow-up as key responsibilities. The requirement to "drive to customers' residences and businesses for makeovers" implies responsibilities beyond the showroom floor, including client site visits and consultations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background or strong interest in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, or a related creative field is highly beneficial. Formal training or certification in interior design is a plus.

Experience: Proven track record in sales, preferably within a commission-based retail or design-oriented environment. A minimum of 2-5 years of experience in a sales or client-facing role is expected, with demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding sales targets.

Required Skills:

• Passion for interior design and home furnishings.

• Exceptional consultative selling and clienteling abilities.

• Proficiency in discerning and coordinating colors, textures, and design elements.

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and active listening skills.

• Friendly, outgoing, and positive personality with a polished professional image.

• Self-motivation and a proactive approach to building and managing client relationships.

• Competence in using computer systems for client management, order processing, and virtual consultations.

• Ability to translate customer wants and needs into effective design choices.

• Willingness to work weekends and holidays as required by retail operations.

• Commitment to being a supportive and collaborative team member.

• Adaptability to a varied-paced retail environment.

• Ability to conduct both in-person and virtual client consultations (including travel to customer locations). Preferred Skills:

• Experience with CRM software for client management and sales tracking.

• Familiarity with design software or visualization tools.

• Knowledge of furniture construction and materials.

• Understanding of current interior design trends.

• Experience in a commissioned sales environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Job Qualifications" and "Job Requirements" sections were combined and re-categorized to align with standard "Skills & Qualifications." The "Proven track record of success in sales" and "Desire to work in a commissioned sales environment" directly inform the experience level and the emphasis on sales skills. The "Polished image" and "Career-minded professionalism" are indicative of the expected demeanor for a client-facing role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of successful interior design projects, highlighting before-and-after transformations and the design process.

• Visual examples of color palette selection, mood boards, and material/texture coordination for various client projects.

• Documentation of client engagement strategies and how customer needs were translated into design solutions.

• Evidence of sales achievement, potentially through anonymized case studies illustrating sales growth driven by design consultation. Process Documentation:

• Outline of a typical client consultation process, from initial contact to final design presentation and sale.

• Examples of how customer preferences and functional requirements are assessed and integrated into design proposals.

• Demonstration of how design recommendations are presented and sold to clients, emphasizing value and ROI.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a sales and design role, a portfolio is crucial. The "Process" and "Systems" section is interpreted to mean the candidate's approach to client engagement, design execution, and sales methodology, which should be demonstrable through a portfolio. The "Training" section's mention of "comprehensive on-line classes, videos, hands-on activities, and one-on-one coaching" suggests a structured learning process that candidates should be prepared to follow.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated annual income for experienced Bassett Design Consultants ranges from $70,000 to $105,000, with top performers potentially earning up to $135,000+. This is a commission-based compensation plan with potential for additional bonuses.

Benefits:

• Paid training program to develop product knowledge, sales techniques, and design skills.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.

• Disability and life insurance policies.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Tuition assistance for continued education and professional development.

• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation, sick leave, and personal days.

• Generous employee discounts on Bassett Furniture products.

• Opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art showroom environment.

• Clear pathways for career growth and advancement within the company.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, on-site position requiring flexibility to work weekends and holidays, consistent with retail operational needs. The standard expectation is a 40-hour work week, though actual hours may vary based on client appointments and showroom traffic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary information ($70,000-$105,000/year, up to $135,000/year for top writers) was directly extracted. The benefits list was compiled from the "Benefits" section of the provided text. The working hours are inferred from the "full-time" employment type and the requirement to work weekends and holidays.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Home Furnishings / Retail. Bassett Furniture operates within the competitive home furnishings market, known for its long-standing heritage in quality custom furniture and a focus on innovation in furniture retailing.

Company Size: Bassett Furniture Industries has been in business since 1902, indicating a well-established company with a significant operational footprint. While the exact current employee count isn't provided, its history suggests a robust organization, likely falling into the mid-to-large enterprise category. This implies structured processes and a professional corporate environment.

Founded: 1902. This long history underscores Bassett's reputation for craftsmanship, quality, and enduring brand value, while also highlighting a commitment to modernizing and innovating in the furniture retail space.

Team Structure:

• The Design Consultant role is likely part of a showroom sales team, reporting to a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager.

• Collaboration is expected with other Design Consultants, sales associates, and potentially design support staff.

• Cross-functional interaction may occur with operations, logistics, and customer service teams to ensure seamless order fulfillment and client satisfaction. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Client Understanding: Utilizing customer data and active listening to identify needs, preferences, and budget constraints for personalized design solutions.

• Relationship-Focused Sales: Employing "relationship selling" techniques to build trust, rapport, and long-term loyalty with clients.

• Design Process Integration: Applying a structured approach to interior design, from initial consultation and concept development to final presentation and product selection.

• Continuous Learning: Engaging in ongoing training and development programs to stay current with product knowledge, design trends, and sales methodologies.

Company Website: https://www.bassettfurniture.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context was derived from the "What sets Bassett apart?" section, emphasizing its history, reputation, and focus on innovation. The team structure and methodology are inferred based on the role's description within a retail showroom setting and the emphasis on sales and design processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-level sales and design position focused on direct client interaction and revenue generation. It requires a blend of creative talent, strong interpersonal skills, and a proven ability to achieve sales targets within a commissioned environment. It is a client-facing role with significant autonomy in managing client relationships and design projects.

Reporting Structure: Design Consultants typically report to a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager who oversees sales performance, team development, and showroom operations. This structure provides guidance and oversight while allowing for individual client management.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is direct revenue generation for the company through furniture sales driven by expert design consultation. By building strong client relationships and delivering exceptional design solutions, Design Consultants contribute significantly to customer loyalty, repeat business, and the overall brand reputation of Bassett Furniture.

Growth Opportunities:

• Sales Advancement: Progress to Senior Design Consultant, Key Account Manager, or Sales Team Lead roles, potentially with expanded responsibilities or client portfolios.

• Design Specialization: Develop expertise in specific design styles or product categories, becoming a go-to specialist within the showroom.

• Management Track: Transition into Showroom Management or Retail Operations leadership roles, overseeing sales teams and store performance.

• Training & Development: Access to ongoing interior design certification training, sales technique workshops, and leadership development programs offered by Bassett.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career progression is inferred from the mid-level experience indicated and the nature of retail sales roles. The "Operations Impact" section is framed in terms of revenue generation and customer loyalty, aligning with the role's core function. The "Growth Opportunities" are standard for successful sales professionals in retail environments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work environment is a state-of-the-art Bassett Furniture showroom. This is a customer-facing retail space designed to showcase furniture and inspire design ideas. The role also requires travel to customers' residences and businesses for in-home consultations and makeovers.

Office Location(s): Mason, Ohio. This specific location will be the primary base for showroom duties. Travel to client locations within a reasonable radius of the showroom is also expected.

Workspace Context:

• Showroom Floor: A dynamic and visually stimulating environment where you will engage with clients, present design options, and demonstrate product features. Collaboration with colleagues on the showroom floor is common.

• Client Homes/Businesses: Occasional visits to client sites for consultations, measurements, and to assess existing spaces for makeovers, requiring adaptability and professionalism in diverse settings.

• Virtual Environment: Engagement with clients through virtual appointments and live chats, requiring proficiency with communication and collaboration technology.

Work Schedule: The role requires flexibility to work weekends and holidays, typical for retail operations. While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, actual hours may fluctuate based on client appointment schedules and showroom traffic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" is described based on the explicit mention of "Work in a State-of-the Art Showroom" and the requirement to "drive to customers' residences and businesses for makeovers," indicating both on-site and field components.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume to assess alignment with the required skills and experience.

• First Interview: Typically with the Showroom Manager or Hiring Manager, focusing on your passion for design, sales aptitude, customer service philosophy, and understanding of consultative selling. Be prepared to discuss your career goals and motivation.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: You may be asked to present a portfolio showcasing your design work, color coordination skills, and examples of how you've translated client needs into successful design solutions. This could involve discussing past projects or a hypothetical scenario.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a role-playing exercise simulating a client consultation or a discussion about your approach to handling common sales objections or design challenges.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional management or team members to assess cultural fit and overall suitability for the role and showroom team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest design projects that demonstrate a range of styles, client needs, and successful outcomes.

• Highlight the Process: For each project, clearly outline the client's initial needs, your design approach, how you addressed challenges, and the final result. Emphasize your role in translating wants into tangible design choices.

• Visual Appeal: Ensure your portfolio is visually engaging, using high-quality images, mood boards, and clear layouts. If digital, ensure it's easy to navigate.

• Quantify Success: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback on client satisfaction and how your design contributed to sales success.

• Tailor to Bassett: Understand Bassett's style and product offerings. If possible, include examples that align with their brand aesthetic or demonstrate your ability to adapt to different styles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Sales Scenarios: Practice responding to common sales objections, closing techniques, and how you would approach a challenging client.

• Design Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a design challenge with a limited budget, a difficult space, or conflicting client preferences.

• Product Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with Bassett's product lines, materials, and customization options. Be prepared to discuss how you would educate clients on these aspects.

• Relationship Building: Prepare examples of how you have built and maintained strong customer relationships in previous roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are inferred from the nature of a design consultant role in retail sales, emphasizing the need to showcase both design acumen and sales capability. The "Training" section's mention of specific learning methods ("on-line classes, videos, hands-on activities, and one-on-one coaching") suggests that the interview process might also assess a candidate's willingness and ability to learn and adapt.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM System: Likely a proprietary or industry-standard CRM for managing client information, tracking sales activities, and nurturing leads (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or a specialized retail CRM).

• Point of Sale (POS) System: For processing transactions, managing orders, and inventory.

• Design Software/Visualization Tools: Potentially used for creating mood boards, 3D renderings, or floor plans (e.g., SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, or specialized interior design software).

• Communication Platforms: For virtual appointments and client interaction (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Performance Dashboards: For tracking personal sales metrics, commission earnings, and progress towards goals.

• Client Data Analytics: Understanding customer purchase history and preferences to inform sales strategies.

CRM & Automation:

• Clienteling Tools: Features within the CRM or separate platforms used for personalized customer outreach and follow-up.

• Order Management Systems: For tracking furniture orders from placement through delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack are inferred based on the responsibilities described, such as conducting virtual appointments, managing client relationships, and processing sales in a retail environment. The mention of "Computer proficiency" in the requirements also supports the need for technical skills.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and exceeding customer expectations through personalized service and design solutions.

• Passion for Design: A genuine enthusiasm for interior design, style, and creating beautiful living spaces.

• Sales Excellence: A drive to achieve and surpass sales goals through consultative selling and building strong client relationships.

• Team Collaboration: A commitment to working effectively with colleagues to create a positive showroom environment and support overall business objectives.

• Professionalism & Integrity: Maintaining a polished image, ethical conduct, and a career-minded approach in all interactions.

Collaboration Style:

• Showroom Synergy: Working collaboratively with fellow Design Consultants and showroom staff to share insights, support each other's sales efforts, and create a welcoming atmosphere for clients.

• Client-Focused Teamwork: Coordinating with operations and logistics teams to ensure smooth order fulfillment and timely delivery, contributing to a positive post-sale customer experience.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share best practices in design, sales techniques, and client management with team members to foster continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Team Culture & Values" are extrapolated from the company's emphasis on customer relationships, passion for design, sales drive, and the overall tone of the job description, which suggests a professional yet creative environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Commission-Based Income: The inherent challenge of an income tied directly to sales performance, requiring consistent effort and skill to maintain a stable and high earning potential.

• Navigating Diverse Client Needs: Effectively managing a wide range of client tastes, budgets, and personalities, requiring strong adaptability and problem-solving skills.

• Staying Current with Trends: Continuously learning and adapting to evolving design trends and product offerings to remain a valuable resource for clients.

• Balancing Showroom Duties and Client Visits: Effectively managing time between in-showroom client engagement, administrative tasks, and off-site client consultations or makeovers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Bassett Interior Design Certification: Formal training to enhance design skills and product knowledge, leading to a recognized certification.

• Sales Training Programs: Ongoing development in consultative selling, clienteling, and negotiation techniques to maximize sales performance.

• Product Knowledge Expansion: Deep dives into furniture construction, materials, and customization options, enabling more informed client consultations.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced Design Consultants and Showroom Managers, gaining insights into best practices and career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the nature of commissioned sales roles and client-facing design positions. Growth opportunities are directly linked to the "Training" and "Opportunity" sections of the provided description, highlighting formal development paths.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to understanding a client's design needs and translating them into tangible furniture selections. How do you balance aesthetic preferences with practical considerations like budget and lifestyle?"

• "How do you build and maintain long-term customer relationships in a retail sales environment? Provide an example of a time you successfully turned a challenging client into a loyal one."

• "Walk me through your process for conducting an interior design consultation, from initial contact to presenting a final design proposal. What tools or methods do you use?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Bassett Furniture specifically, and how do you see your design passion and sales skills aligning with our brand and values?"

• "How do you approach working collaboratively within a showroom team, and what is your philosophy on supporting your colleagues?"

• "How do you measure your own success in a sales role, and how would you demonstrate the impact of your design consultations on sales figures?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as stories, detailing the client's challenge, your creative solution, and the positive outcome.

• Highlight Versatility: Showcase your ability to work with different design styles and client types.

• Focus on Process: Explain how you arrived at your design decisions, not just what the final design is. This demonstrates your problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, mention how your designs led to sales, increased customer satisfaction, or solved specific client problems.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are crafted to probe the core requirements of the role: design acumen, sales capability, client relationship management, and cultural fit within Bassett Furniture. They are designed to elicit specific examples and demonstrate a candidate's strategic thinking and practical application of skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided Dayforce portal link.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital or physical portfolio that clearly showcases your interior design projects, emphasizing your ability to coordinate colors, textures, and translate client needs into successful design solutions. Include examples of your sales process and client relationship-building strategies.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your sales achievements, customer service experience, and any specific design training or qualifications. Use keywords from the job description such as "interior design," "sales," "clienteling," "consultative selling," and "color coordination."

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your passion for design, your sales approach, and how you can contribute to Bassett Furniture's success during interviews. Practice presenting your portfolio and discussing past projects.

• Research Bassett Furniture: Familiarize yourself with Bassett's brand, product lines, company history, and current design aesthetics. Understand their commitment to quality, customization, and customer experience.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.