Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: AHF Products

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Sales & Design Operations

Date Posted: June 01, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on driving showroom sales and customer engagement through expert design consultation and product knowledge, acting as a key point of contact for clients, architects, and interior designers.

• It involves the strategic planning and execution of new product launches within the showroom environment, ensuring seamless integration and customer adoption.

• The position requires meticulous management of showroom operations, including order entry, inventory tracking, sample organization, and maintaining an appealing display environment.

• A significant aspect of the role is building and nurturing relationships with key industry professionals (Architects, Interior Designers, Builders, Contractors) to foster repeat business and new opportunities within the GTM strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Consultant," the responsibilities clearly indicate a hybrid role blending sales, customer service, and operational management within a retail showroom setting, with a strong emphasis on GTM channel enablement through professional relationships. This is not a typical back-office operations role but a customer-facing one with operational responsibilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Customer Consultation & Sales: Provide expert consultation and advice on product selection, design materials, and space planning to in-person and phone customers.

• Relationship Management: Actively build and maintain strong working relationships with Architects, Interior Designers, Builders, Contractors, and Installers to drive new and repeat business.

• Order Management & Inventory: Utilize the order entry system to check pricing, inventory, availability, customer information, and delivery dates; enter orders and manage slab holds.

• Showroom Operations & Maintenance: Ensure the showroom and work areas are clean, organized, and well-maintained, including setting up, moving, and cleaning displays and organizing the sample library.

• Product Knowledge & Launch Support: Maintain a deep and current understanding of all product lines, colors, specifications, and new product launches, and assist in their strategic introduction to the market.

• Liaison with Sales Teams: Collaborate effectively with Outside Sales Representatives and Sales Managers by relaying selection information for existing and new clients.

• Customer Experience: Create a memorable and positive shopping and selection experience, providing unsurpassed service, expertise, and convenience throughout the sales and completion process.

• Administrative Support: Handle incoming customer service inquiries, answer questions regarding products, pricing, ship dates, and back-orders, and perform other assigned duties.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a direct impact on sales and customer acquisition, aligning with a GTM strategy that relies on strong showroom presence and professional networking. The operational aspects are geared towards supporting these sales functions efficiently.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Associate degree in Interior Design or a related field is highly preferred.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of experience in a customer-facing design, sales, or showroom role, preferably within the hard surface flooring industry.

• Proven experience in building and maintaining professional relationships with industry partners (Architects, Interior Designers, Builders, Contractors).

Required Skills:

• Interior Design & Space Planning: Demonstrated passion and knowledge for interior design principles and space planning.

• Customer Consultation & Presentation: Ability to confidently present products, tailor presentations to customer needs, and guide clients through material selection.

• Sales & Closing Skills: Strong aptitude for sales, including identifying customer needs, overcoming objections, and closing deals.

• Order Entry & System Proficiency: Experience using order entry systems for pricing, inventory, and order management.

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to collaborate respectfully and professionally with diverse stakeholders.

• Organization & Attention to Detail: Meticulous organizational skills with a keen eye for detail in managing samples, displays, and customer information.

• Professionalism & Work Ethic: Maintain a professional appearance and attitude, demonstrating a strong work ethic, motivation, and task orientation.

Preferred Skills:

• Hard Surface Flooring Knowledge: In-depth understanding of tile, natural stone, and slab products.

• CRM & Sales Pipeline Management: Experience with CRM tools to manage client relationships and sales pipelines.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically about market trends and customer needs.

• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for developing options and implementing solutions to meet customer requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of design acumen, sales capability, and operational execution within a retail showroom context. The "2-5 years" experience level suggests a need for candidates who are beyond entry-level but still developing their expertise, fitting a mid-level consultant role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Case Studies: Showcase examples of successful customer consultations and material selections, highlighting how design principles were applied to meet client needs and timelines.

• Sales Impact Examples: Quantifiable achievements in driving sales, building client relationships, or contributing to new business acquisition within a showroom or design context.

• Process Workflow Documentation: Visual or descriptive examples of how you manage customer interactions from initial contact through order placement and delivery.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Examples of how you have identified customer needs, offered solutions, and managed complex requests or challenges.

Process Documentation:

• Customer Engagement Workflow: Document the steps involved in engaging a customer, understanding their needs, presenting options, and guiding them through the selection and ordering process.

• Sample Management Process: Outline your approach to organizing, maintaining, and presenting the sample library to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction.

• Order Entry & Tracking: Demonstrate familiarity with the process of entering orders accurately, checking inventory, and communicating delivery timelines to clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal "portfolio" might not be as extensive as in pure design roles, candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to sales consultations, client management, and showroom operations with concrete examples. The emphasis is on practical application of skills rather than purely conceptual design work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry standards for a Design Consultant with 2-5 years of experience in Austin, TX, the estimated salary range is likely between $50,000 - $70,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Austin, the competitive nature of design and sales roles, and the responsibilities outlined.

• Methodology: This estimate is derived from analyzing salary data for similar roles (e.g., Interior Designer, Sales Consultant, Showroom Associate) in major metropolitan areas in Texas, factoring in experience level and the specific duties related to sales, consultation, and showroom operations.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for healthcare needs.

• Dental Insurance: Coverage for dental care services.

• Vision Insurance: Coverage for eye care and eyewear.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Savings plan with potential company matching.

• Paid Time Off: Details not specified but typical for full-time roles.

Working Hours:

• Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break.

• The role may require overtime as necessary, indicating a need for flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for similar roles and locations. Actual compensation will be determined by the employer based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and performance during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hard Surface Flooring Manufacturing & Retail

Company Size: Over 3,000 employees. This indicates a well-established organization with structured processes and potential for growth, but also a large corporate environment. For operations professionals, this can mean access to robust systems and training, but also a need to navigate larger organizational structures.

Founded: AHF Products has decades of experience in flooring design and manufacturing. This history suggests stability, established expertise, and a commitment to quality.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The Design Consultant reports to the Regional Showroom Manager, indicating a direct line of management for day-to-day operations and performance.

• Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with Outside Sales Representatives and Sales Managers, forming a key part of the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy. The role also involves interaction with various internal departments for order processing, inventory, and customer support.

• Showroom Environment: Works within a showroom team, likely including other consultants, support staff, and management, fostering a collaborative sales and customer service environment.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Approach: The company emphasizes outstanding customer service and creating memorable experiences, driving GTM success through client satisfaction.

• Product Innovation: A focus on award-winning design and product development means staying current with trends and materials.

• Operational Efficiency: Implied need for efficient order entry, inventory management, and showroom upkeep to support sales activities.

Company Website: aidshealth.org (Note: This seems to be an incorrect URL based on the company description. The actual company website is likely related to AHF Products, e.g., ahfproducts.com or similar. The provided URL is for AIDS Healthcare Foundation.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of established industry expertise and a strong focus on customer satisfaction and sales growth. The large company size suggests opportunities for structured career development within operations and sales support functions. The provided website URL appears to be incorrect for AHF Products.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Consultant. This role is critical for translating GTM strategy into tangible sales and customer engagement within a showroom. It requires a blend of design sensibility, sales acumen, and operational execution.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to a Regional Showroom Manager, providing clear guidance and performance management. This structure allows for focused development within the showroom sales and operations domain.

Operations Impact: The Design Consultant directly influences revenue by driving showroom sales, fostering client relationships, and supporting new product launches. Their effectiveness is measured by sales performance, customer satisfaction, and contribution to the overall GTM strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Sales Leadership: Potential to advance into Senior Design Consultant roles, Showroom Management, or Regional Sales Management positions.

• Specialization: Opportunity to become a product specialist in specific flooring categories (e.g., natural stone, luxury vinyl) or develop expertise in B2B client management.

• Cross-Functional Moves: Potential to transition into related roles within sales support, account management, or even product marketing within AHF Products, leveraging showroom and customer insights.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities in design trends, product specifications, sales techniques, and operational efficiency tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path within AHF Products for a Design Consultant is likely focused on deepening expertise in sales and design within the flooring industry, with clear avenues for management and specialized roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Showroom environment. This is a customer-facing retail space designed to showcase flooring products. It requires a professional, clean, and inviting atmosphere.

Office Location(s): Austin, Texas. This specific location implies a dynamic market with potential for significant interaction with residential and commercial clients.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative: Expected to work closely with other showroom staff, sales representatives, and management, fostering a team-oriented sales culture.

• Customer-Focused: The primary interaction is with customers, requiring excellent interpersonal skills and a service-oriented mindset.

• Product Display: Involves working with physical product samples, displays, and potentially demonstrating product features.

• Operational Tools: Access to order entry systems, CRM (potentially), and standard office equipment.

Work Schedule:

• Standard business hours (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, M-F) with a half-hour lunch.

• Requirement for potential overtime indicates a need for flexibility to meet business demands, especially during peak sales periods or product launch phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is dynamic, customer-centric, and requires a balance of sales engagement, operational efficiency, and maintaining a professional showroom presentation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Typically involves a review of your resume and a brief phone call with HR or a recruiting specialist to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• First Interview: Likely with the Regional Showroom Manager. This interview will focus on your design consultation experience, sales skills, product knowledge (or ability to learn), and understanding of customer needs. Be prepared to discuss your approach to building client relationships.

• Skills/Scenario Assessment: May include a practical exercise where you are asked to present a product, handle a customer objection, or walk through a hypothetical design selection scenario.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level manager or a panel, focusing on strategic thinking, long-term potential, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Relevance: Showcase projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to consult on design, manage customer relationships, and drive sales, particularly in environments similar to a flooring showroom.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use numbers to highlight your successes (e.g., "Increased repeat customer business by X%," "Successfully managed Y number of client consultations per week," "Contributed to Z% of showroom sales").

• Demonstrate Process: Be ready to explain your end-to-end process for client consultation, from initial inquiry to order placement and follow-up.

• Highlight Industry Knowledge: If you have specific experience with hard surface flooring, tile, or natural stone, make sure this is evident. If not, show your eagerness and ability to learn quickly.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure any materials you present are well-organized, visually appealing, and free of errors.

Challenge Preparation:

• Product Knowledge Acquisition: Be prepared to demonstrate how you learn new product information quickly and thoroughly. Research AHF Products' brands and offerings beforehand.

• Sales Scenarios: Practice handling common sales objections in a retail or design context (e.g., price concerns, material suitability, timeline issues).

• Customer Service Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you've resolved customer issues and ensured satisfaction.

• Relationship Building: Think about how you proactively build and maintain relationships with industry professionals like designers and contractors.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just design knowledge but also strong sales, customer service, and operational execution skills, with a focus on how they contribute to the company's Go-To-Market strategy through client engagement and relationship building.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Order Entry System: Proficiency in using specialized order entry software for sales transactions, inventory checks, and customer data management. Candidates should be ready to learn AHF's specific system.

• CRM System (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): While not explicitly mentioned, experience with CRM platforms for managing customer relationships, tracking interactions, and sales pipeline management is highly beneficial for understanding GTM strategies.

• Microsoft Office Suite / Google Workspace: Standard proficiency in Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, and Outlook/Gmail for communication, data tracking, and reporting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Spreadsheet Software (Excel/Sheets): Ability to track sales data, inventory levels, and customer interactions.

• Reporting Dashboards (Internal): Likely use of internal company dashboards for sales performance and showroom metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Experience in using CRM tools to manage leads, track customer interactions, and nurture relationships.

• Sales Automation Tools: Familiarity with tools that streamline sales processes, though direct automation might be less prominent in this client-facing role compared to back-office operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core operational tools for this role are order entry systems and potentially CRM. A strong emphasis is placed on the ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize these systems to support sales and customer service functions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A paramount value, emphasizing providing unsurpassed service, expertise, and convenience to every customer.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Maintaining a professional appearance and attitude at all times, acting with honesty and respect.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with co-workers, management, and external partners to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.

• Detail-Oriented: Strong attention to detail required for order accuracy, sample management, and client specifications.

• Proactiveness & Initiative: Ability to operate independently, take initiative, and contribute to continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: Works collaboratively within the showroom team and with outside sales representatives to achieve common goals.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Expected to communicate respectfully and professionally with various internal departments and external agencies to ensure seamless service delivery.

• Service-Driven: A culture that prioritizes client needs and strives to create positive, memorable experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a strong customer-centric approach, professional conduct, and effective teamwork to drive sales and service excellence within the flooring industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Sales & Operations: Effectively managing direct customer sales interactions while also handling operational tasks like order entry, sample organization, and showroom upkeep.

• Product Knowledge Acquisition: Quickly mastering a wide range of product lines, specifications, and design applications within the hard surface flooring industry.

• Building Industry Relationships: Proactively developing and nurturing connections with architects, designers, and contractors in a competitive market.

• Meeting Sales Targets: Consistently achieving sales goals in a dynamic retail and B2B environment.

• Physical Demands: Adapting to the physical requirements of the role, including standing for long periods, lifting, bending, and using ladders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Product Training: Access to ongoing training on new product lines, materials, and design trends in the flooring industry.

• Sales & Design Workshops: Opportunities to enhance sales techniques, consultation skills, and design expertise.

• Mentorship: Potential mentorship from experienced showroom managers or sales leaders within AHF Products.

• Industry Exposure: Learning about market trends, competitor offerings, and best practices through trade publications and internal meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents challenges that require adaptability, strong learning agility, and excellent interpersonal skills. Growth opportunities are tied to mastering these challenges and deepening expertise within the flooring and design sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Consultation Approach: "Describe your process for consulting with a client on a flooring project, from initial contact to final selection." Focus on active listening, needs assessment, and tailored recommendations.

• Relationship Building: "How do you build and maintain relationships with architects and interior designers to drive business for a showroom?" Highlight proactive outreach, providing value, and staying connected.

• Handling Objections: "A client loves a product but finds it too expensive. How would you address this?" Be ready with strategies like offering alternatives, explaining value, or discussing financing options.

• Operational Efficiency: "How do you ensure accuracy and efficiency in your order entry and inventory management tasks?" Emphasize attention to detail, system proficiency, and organizational methods.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation for Role: "Why are you interested in this Design Consultant role at AHF Products?" Connect your skills and aspirations to the company's mission and the specific responsibilities.

• Understanding of Flooring: "What interests you about the hard surface flooring industry?" Show genuine enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

• Teamwork: "Describe a time you collaborated effectively with a sales team or co-workers to achieve a common goal." Provide a specific example.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Visuals are Key: If presenting a portfolio, use high-quality images of past projects, design boards, or even mock-ups of how products are displayed.

• Tell a Story: For each example, explain the client's challenge, your proposed solution, the products you recommended, and the successful outcome.

• Focus on Process: Be ready to walk through your step-by-step process for client engagement and project management.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics demonstrating sales success, customer satisfaction, or efficiency gains.

• Tailor to AHF: If possible, mention how your skills and experience align with AHF Products' brands and customer base.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of design sensibility, strong salesmanship, excellent customer service skills, and a solid understanding of operational processes within a retail showroom context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on recruiting.ultipro.com.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in interior design, sales, customer consultation, and showroom operations. Use keywords from the job description, such as "interior design," "space planning," "sales presentation," "order entry," and "relationship building." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Portfolio Preparation: Gather examples of your design work, successful client consultations, and any quantifiable sales achievements. Be ready to discuss your process for client engagement and material selection.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research AHF Products, its brands (e.g., Bruce, Armstrong Flooring), and its position in the hard surface flooring market. Understand their commitment to design and customer service.

• Interview Practice: Practice answering behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your sales approach, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage operational tasks efficiently. Be prepared to articulate your understanding of the AHF Products culture and values.

⚠️ 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.