DESIGN CONSULTANT

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: Bassett Furniture

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Sales / Retail Operations

Date Posted: September 10, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive revenue and exceed sales goals within a retail showroom environment through expert interior design consultations and relationship selling.

• Cultivate and maintain long-term customer relationships by understanding individual tastes, lifestyles, and investment ranges to deliver personalized design solutions.

• Leverage comprehensive product knowledge and an understanding of current design trends to create, present, and sell customized furniture and design packages.

• Utilize a blend of in-showroom, virtual, and in-home consultations to maximize selling opportunities and provide a seamless customer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is fundamentally a sales position with a strong emphasis on interior design expertise. While the title is "Design Consultant," the core function is driving sales through consultative design services. The operations aspect lies in managing the sales pipeline, client relationships, and showroom operations to achieve revenue targets.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth interior design consultations with clients, both in-showroom and at their residences, to understand their needs, preferences, and budget.

• Develop and present comprehensive design proposals, including furniture selections, space planning, color palettes, and fabric/material choices, utilizing Bassett's product catalog and design tools.

• Actively engage with customers to build rapport, identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling, and foster long-term client loyalty through exceptional service.

• Manage the sales process from initial contact to closing, including order processing, follow-up, and post-sale customer support to ensure satisfaction and repeat business.

• Maintain a high level of product knowledge regarding furniture construction, materials, design trends, and Bassett's customization options to effectively advise clients.

• Collaborate with showroom management and team members to achieve overall store sales objectives and contribute to a positive team environment.

• Utilize CRM tools to track leads, manage customer interactions, and monitor sales pipeline progress to ensure efficient client management and sales forecasting.

• Participate in ongoing training programs to enhance design skills, sales techniques, and product knowledge, staying current with industry best practices and Bassett's offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are extrapolated from the job description's emphasis on "relationship selling," "interior design consultations," "makeovers," and "maximizing selling opportunities." The operations aspect involves managing client interactions, sales processes, and showroom performance metrics.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 2-5 years of proven success in a sales-oriented role, preferably within the furniture, home décor, or luxury retail sectors. Experience in a commission-based sales environment is essential.

Required Skills:

• Passion for Interior Design: Demonstrated enthusiasm and a keen eye for aesthetics, color theory, and space planning.

• Sales Acumen: Proven ability to meet and exceed sales targets through consultative and relationship-driven selling techniques.

• Exceptional Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Ability to actively listen, articulate design concepts clearly, build rapport, and establish trust with diverse clientele.

• Clientele Development: Proactive approach to identifying, nurturing, and retaining a loyal customer base.

• Computer Proficiency: Competence in using CRM software, design visualization tools (if applicable), and standard office applications.

• Adaptability & Drive: Self-motivated, positive outlook, and a strong desire to learn and grow within a dynamic retail environment.

• Professionalism: Polished image and career-minded approach to client interactions and team collaboration.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to translate customer wants and needs into practical and aesthetically pleasing design choices.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with virtual selling platforms and conducting remote client consultations.

• Knowledge of furniture construction, materials, and fabric durability.

• Familiarity with design software or visualization tools.

• Proven track record in a commission-only sales environment.

• Ability to drive to customer residences for in-home consultations and makeovers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level "2-5 years" is inferred from the "potential income for our experienced Bassett Design Consultants averages $70,000-$105,000/year" and the mention of "continuing opportunities to learn throughout your career at Bassett," suggesting a role beyond entry-level but not necessarily senior management. The "proven track record of success in sales" also points to mid-level experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Sales Success Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 examples of successful sales engagements, detailing the client's initial needs, your proposed solutions, the sales process, and the final outcome (e.g., total sale value, client satisfaction).

• Design Project Examples: Visual documentation of interior design projects, illustrating your ability to discern and coordinate colors, textures, and furniture styles to create cohesive and appealing spaces. This can include mood boards, 3D renderings, or before-and-after photos.

• Client Relationship Management: Demonstrate how you've managed customer relationships, from initial contact through repeat business, highlighting your approach to client retention and loyalty.

• ROI Demonstration: For sales-focused examples, be prepared to articulate the return on investment for the client and how your design solutions met or exceeded their financial and aesthetic goals.

Process Documentation:

• Consultative Sales Process: Be ready to walk through your typical consultative sales process, from initial client engagement and needs assessment to proposal development, negotiation, and closing.

• Design Consultation Workflow: Outline your approach to conducting design consultations, including how you gather information, utilize design resources, and present recommendations.

• Client Management & Follow-up: Describe your system for managing client communications, follow-ups, and post-sale service to ensure customer satisfaction and encourage future business.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal "portfolio" isn't explicitly requested, the emphasis on "relationship selling," "interior design consultations," and "creating, presenting, and selling product and design solutions" implies a need to showcase past work and sales achievements. This section outlines what a candidate should prepare to demonstrate their capabilities effectively.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The provided information indicates a commission-based compensation structure with a strong earning potential.

• Base Commission Potential: $70,000 - $105,000 per year (average for experienced consultants).

• Top Performer Potential: Up to $135,000+ per year.

• Additional Opportunities: Bonus opportunities are also mentioned.

Benefits:

• Paid Training: Comprehensive training programs to equip associates with product knowledge, sales techniques, and design skills.

• Health & Wellness: Health, Dental, and Vision coverage.

• Insurance: Disability and Life Insurance.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan.

• Professional Development: Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities.

• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off.

• Employee Perks: Generous Employee Discounts on Bassett furniture.

• Work Environment: Opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art showroom.

• Career Advancement: Potential for growth and advancement within the company.

Working Hours: The role requires flexibility, including willingness to work weekends and holidays, typical for a retail sales environment. The standard working hours are not explicitly defined but are assumed to be full-time, likely involving shifts to cover showroom operating hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly extracted from the "Opportunity" section of the job description. The benefits are a comprehensive list from the "Benefits" section. The working hours are inferred from the requirement to "work weekends and holidays" and the nature of retail sales.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Furniture Retail / Home Furnishings. Bassett Furniture has a long-standing heritage in the American furniture market, established in 1902. They are known for quality custom furniture, a blend of style, comfort, and value, and a focus on innovation in furniture retailing.

Company Size: Bassett Furniture Industries is a well-established, publicly traded company with a significant presence. While the exact number of employees isn't provided, its history and market position suggest a mid-to-large enterprise with multiple showrooms and manufacturing capabilities. This size implies structured processes, established brand recognition, and potential for career advancement.

Founded: 1902. This extensive history underscores the company's stability, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction over generations.

Team Structure:

• Showroom Focus: The immediate team will likely consist of fellow Design Consultants, a Showroom Manager, and potentially sales support staff.

• Reporting: Design Consultants typically report directly to the Showroom Manager, who oversees sales performance, client engagement, and operational efficiency within the showroom.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: While primarily customer-facing, Design Consultants will collaborate with store operations, visual merchandising, and potentially corporate teams for training and product updates.

Methodology:

• Relationship Selling: The core methodology emphasizes building long-term customer connections through personalized design consultations and exceptional service.

• Consultative Approach: Focus on understanding client needs deeply and offering tailored solutions rather than transactional sales.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated as a "data-driven" company in the traditional operations sense, sales performance metrics, client tracking (via CRM), and product knowledge are crucial for success.

• Continuous Improvement: The emphasis on training and development suggests a culture that values learning and adapting to new design trends and sales techniques.

Company Website: bassettfurniture.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Company information is synthesized from the "What sets Bassett apart?" section and general knowledge of established retail brands. The team structure and methodology are inferred from the role's description as a customer-facing sales position within a retail showroom.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Sales and Design professional. It requires a blend of creative talent, sales expertise, and customer relationship management skills. It's a direct revenue-generating role that forms the backbone of the showroom's sales performance.

Reporting Structure: Design Consultants report to the Showroom Manager. This structure allows for direct mentorship, performance feedback, and alignment with showroom-specific sales targets and operational goals.

Operations Impact: The primary impact is direct revenue generation through sales. Beyond that, Design Consultants contribute to brand perception through customer interactions, client retention, and by acting as brand ambassadors. Their ability to understand and implement customer design visions directly influences customer satisfaction and loyalty, which are key operational metrics for a retail business.

Growth Opportunities:

• Sales Leadership: Progression to Senior Design Consultant, Lead Designer, or Showroom Manager positions, involving increased responsibility for sales targets, team management, and showroom operations.

• Specialization: Developing expertise in specific design styles, product categories, or client segments (e.g., commercial design).

• Training & Development: Access to Bassett's Interior Design certification training and ongoing professional development programs to enhance design and sales skills.

• Cross-functional Roles: Potential opportunities in visual merchandising, marketing, or corporate roles within Bassett, leveraging their understanding of customer needs and design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis is based on typical progression paths in retail sales and design roles, combined with Bassett's stated commitment to "opportunity for growth and advancement" and their training programs. The "operations" aspect is framed through the lens of sales operations and customer relationship management within a retail context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role within a retail showroom environment. The workspace is designed to be attractive, inspirational, and functional for both customers and sales consultants.

Office Location(s): Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The showroom is described as "State-of-the Art," implying a modern, well-equipped retail space designed to showcase furniture effectively and provide a comfortable environment for consultations.

Workspace Context:

• Customer-Centric Design: The showroom itself is a primary tool, featuring curated displays, fabric swatches, and design resources to aid consultants in their work.

• Collaborative Atmosphere: While client interactions are often one-on-one, there's an expectation of team support, sharing insights, and contributing to a positive store atmosphere.

• Technology Integration: Consultants will utilize computer systems for sales, design, and client management, and may engage in virtual appointments, suggesting access to necessary technology.

Work Schedule: The role requires flexibility, including a willingness to work weekends and holidays. This is typical for retail sales positions to ensure adequate coverage during peak customer traffic times. Specific daily hours would align with showroom operating hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description is based on the "Work in a State-of-the Art Showroom" benefit and the general nature of retail sales roles requiring on-site presence and flexible scheduling.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: While not explicitly detailed, a typical process for a sales and design role would likely include:

• Initial Screening: Application review and possibly a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and enthusiasm.

• In-Person Interview: A more in-depth interview with the Showroom Manager to discuss sales experience, design passion, and cultural fit. This may include situational questions related to customer interactions and sales scenarios.

• Design/Sales Challenge: A practical exercise where candidates might be asked to present a design concept for a hypothetical client or demonstrate their sales approach, potentially using sample materials or a showroom space.

• Portfolio Review: Discussion of the candidate's portfolio to assess their design aesthetic, project execution, and sales achievements.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a regional manager or senior sales leader for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 2-3 of your strongest design projects and sales success stories that best align with Bassett's style and customer base.

• Showcase Process & Results: For each project, clearly articulate the client's needs, your design process, the solutions you provided, and the tangible results (e.g., client satisfaction, sales value). Use high-quality visuals.

• Highlight Sales Skills: Integrate how your design expertise translated into successful sales outcomes and long-term client relationships. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "exceeded sales quota by X%").

• Demonstrate Brand Alignment: Show how your design sensibilities and sales approach would fit within the Bassett brand and its commitment to quality and value.

Challenge Preparation:

• Know Bassett: Research Bassett's product lines, design philosophy, target customer, and competitive landscape.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your passion for design and sales, and how you would contribute to the showroom's success.

• Scenario Planning: Prepare for questions about handling difficult customers, closing sales, and managing client expectations.

• Design Scenarios: If given a design challenge, be prepared to quickly assess needs, propose solutions, and justify your choices based on style, function, and budget.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides guidance based on common practices for retail sales and design roles, inferring the likely interview stages and preparation strategies relevant to showcasing both design talent and sales proficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM System: Likely a proprietary or industry-standard CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or a specialized retail CRM) for managing customer data, tracking leads, sales pipelines, and client interactions. Proficiency in a CRM is essential for the "relationship selling" aspect.

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

• Design Visualization Software: While not explicitly named, the role involves creating and presenting design solutions, suggesting the use of software for space planning, 3D rendering, or mood board creation. This could range from CAD-like programs to more user-friendly design apps.

• Communication Tools: Standard office suites (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace) for email, documentation, and presentations. Video conferencing tools (Zoom, Teams) for virtual appointments.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Performance Dashboards: To track individual and showroom sales targets, conversion rates, average transaction value, and other key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Customer Data Analysis: Utilizing CRM data to understand customer demographics, preferences, and purchasing history to inform sales strategies.

CRM & Automation:

• Customer Relationship Management: The core of the role involves managing customer relationships.

• Workflow Automation: Potentially utilized for automated follow-up emails or task management within the CRM, though direct process automation is less likely to be managed by the consultant directly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is inferred from the job requirements: "computer proficiency," "creating, presenting, and selling product and design solutions," and "conducting virtual appointments and live chats." A CRM is fundamental to managing client relationships and sales pipelines in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Prioritizing client needs, satisfaction, and building long-term relationships is paramount. This is reflected in the "relationship selling" and "design consultation" aspects.

• Excellence in Design: A commitment to style, quality, and helping customers realize their aesthetic vision. This is supported by the company's heritage and training programs.

• Sales Drive: A strong emphasis on achieving and exceeding sales goals, reflected in the commission-based compensation structure.

• Teamwork & Support: The requirement to be a "supportive team member" highlights the importance of collaboration within the showroom to achieve collective success.

• Professionalism: Maintaining a polished image and a career-minded approach in all interactions.

Collaboration Style:

• Client-Centric Collaboration: Consultants work independently with clients but also collaborate to share insights, support each other during busy periods, and contribute to the overall showroom atmosphere.

• Managerial Guidance: Regular interaction with the Showroom Manager for coaching, performance reviews, and strategic alignment.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment that encourages sharing design ideas, successful sales tactics, and product knowledge to benefit the entire team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are derived from keywords in the job description like "passion for design," "exceptional selling skills," "love for building customer relationships," "supportive team member," and the company's emphasis on heritage and quality.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Commission-Based Income: The primary challenge is the variable nature of commission-based pay, requiring consistent high performance to achieve desired income levels.

• Balancing Design & Sales: Effectively merging creative design passion with the persistent need to close sales and meet revenue targets.

• Managing Diverse Client Needs: Catering to a wide range of customer tastes, budgets, and expectations, requiring strong adaptability and problem-solving skills.

• Staying Current: Continuously updating knowledge of design trends, product offerings, and sales techniques in a competitive market.

• In-Home Consultations: Logistics and comfort level with traveling to customer homes, potentially in varied locations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Interior Design Certification: Bassett offers internal certification, providing a structured path to becoming a certified design professional.

• Sales & Product Training: Continuous learning on new product lines, sales methodologies, and customer engagement strategies.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced managers and top-performing consultants.

• Career Advancement: Potential to move into leadership roles within showrooms or other areas of the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified from the nature of the role (commission sales, client management, design application) and growth opportunities are based on Bassett's stated commitment to training and career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to understanding a client's design needs and translating them into a compelling furniture and design proposal." (Focus on your consultative process and ability to listen.)

• "How do you handle a situation where a client has a limited budget but ambitious design aspirations?" (Demonstrate problem-solving and creative solutioning.)

• "Walk me through a time you successfully exceeded a sales target. What strategies did you employ?" (Highlight your sales acumen and drive.)

• "How do you build and maintain long-term relationships with clients to encourage repeat business?" (Emphasize your customer service and relationship-building skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Bassett Furniture specifically, and how do you see your design and sales style fitting with our brand?" (Show you've researched the company and its values.)

• "How do you stay updated on interior design trends and how do you incorporate them into your client recommendations?" (Assess your passion and industry knowledge.)

• "Describe your experience working in a commission-based sales environment. What motivates you?" (Gauge your understanding of performance-driven roles.)

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment in a retail setting?" (Assess your teamwork and interpersonal skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a narrative: the client's problem/desire, your solution, and the successful outcome.

• Visuals are Key: Use high-quality images of your designs. If you don't have professional photos, ensure your own are well-lit and showcase the space effectively.

• Quantify Success: Whenever possible, include sales figures, client testimonials, or metrics that demonstrate the impact of your work.

• Connect to Bassett: Explicitly link your skills and past successes to how you would contribute to Bassett Furniture's sales and design objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation focuses on common questions for sales and design roles, emphasizing the blend of creative and commercial skills required, and how to best present oneself to a company like Bassett.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Dayforce portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight specific achievements in sales (e.g., exceeding quotas, average sale value) and any design-related experience or training. Use keywords from the job description such as "interior design," "relationship selling," "sales goals," and "customer relationships."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Gather examples of your design work and any sales success stories that demonstrate your ability to create compelling client solutions and drive revenue. Be ready to discuss these in detail.

• Research Bassett: Familiarize yourself with Bassett Furniture's product lines, showroom styles, and company history. Understand their brand positioning in the market.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your passion for design and sales, your consultative approach, and why you are a strong fit for Bassett during interviews.

⚠️ 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.