DESIGN CONSULTANT

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: DESIGN CONSULTANT

Company: Bassett Furniture

Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Sales & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-03

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive revenue growth through expert interior design consultations and personalized sales strategies within a retail showroom environment.

• Cultivate and maintain long-term customer relationships by understanding individual needs, tastes, and investment ranges, translating them into compelling design solutions.

• Leverage a deep understanding of furniture construction, design trends, and color/texture coordination to create inspiring and functional living spaces.

• Execute relationship selling techniques, including in-home or virtual makeovers, to maximize selling opportunities and ensure customer satisfaction.

• Achieve and exceed sales targets within a commissioned sales structure, demonstrating a strong drive for results and a polished, professional demeanor.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Design Consultant" title, coupled with responsibilities like "relationship selling," "interior design consultations," and "makeovers," strongly indicates a hybrid sales and design role. This is not a typical back-office Revenue Operations or Sales Operations role, but rather a client-facing position that heavily relies on sales process execution and customer relationship management, which are core components of GTM operations. The emphasis on "commissioned sales" and "sales goals" further solidifies its sales-centric nature.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth interior design consultations with clients, assessing their needs, lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and budget constraints.

• Develop, present, and sell comprehensive product and design solutions tailored to individual customer requirements, utilizing the full range of Bassett Furniture's offerings.

• Build and nurture a loyal client base through proactive outreach, follow-up, and personalized service, fostering long-term relationships that drive repeat business.

• Master and apply knowledge of furniture construction, materials, design trends, and color/texture coordination to provide expert advice and recommendations.

• Execute "relationship selling" techniques, including virtual appointments and in-home makeovers, to enhance customer engagement and close sales.

• Maintain a high level of product knowledge and stay updated on new collections, design styles, and industry trends to effectively advise clients.

• Manage sales pipeline, track customer interactions, and process orders accurately using company systems and tools.

• Collaborate with showroom management and team members to achieve collective sales goals and contribute to a positive team environment.

• Maintain a polished and professional image, reflecting the quality and brand standards of Bassett Furniture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes "relationship selling" and "building customer relationships," which are key components of effective sales operations and GTM strategy. The responsibilities also involve creating and presenting solutions, which aligns with a consultative sales approach often supported by sales operations enablement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background or strong interest in Interior Design, Merchandising, or a related creative field is highly beneficial.

Experience: Proven track record of success in a commissioned sales environment, ideally within retail, furniture, or a related design-centric industry. A minimum of 2-5 years of sales experience is suggested by the estimated experience level.

Required Skills:

• Passion for interior design and a keen eye for color and texture.

• Exceptional consultative selling and relationship-building skills.

• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities, with the capacity to articulate design concepts clearly.

• Friendly, outgoing, and positive personality conducive to building rapport with clients.

• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to client engagement and sales development.

• Proficient in using computer systems for client management, order processing, and virtual communication.

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

• Dedication to meeting and exceeding sales goals in a commissioned environment.

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

• Possess a polished and professional image.

• Ability to perform in-home design consultations and makeovers, requiring reliable transportation. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with virtual selling tools and techniques (virtual appointments, live chats).

• Knowledge of furniture construction, materials, and design principles.

• Experience in a retail showroom environment.

• Ability to coordinate colors and textures effectively.

• Computer proficiency beyond basic usage, potentially including design software or CRM systems.

• A desire to learn and grow within the interior design and furniture sales industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "sales goals," "commissioned sales," and "relationship selling" suggests that strong analytical and CRM skills, often honed in Sales Operations, would be highly advantageous, even though not explicitly listed as requirements. The ability to "translate customer wants into design choices" implies a need for strong data interpretation and problem-solving, mirroring operations' focus on understanding needs and delivering solutions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of successful sales achievements, including metrics on exceeding targets and driving revenue.

• Examples of client consultations, demonstrating the ability to understand needs and propose solutions.

• Visual documentation of design "makeovers" or completed projects, highlighting before-and-after transformations.

• Case studies detailing how you translated customer requirements into successful design outcomes.

• Evidence of relationship building and client retention strategies. Process Documentation:

• Outline of your personal sales process, from initial client engagement to closing the sale and post-sale follow-up.

• Examples of how you manage client information and track sales activities.

• Description of how you leverage product knowledge and design principles in your sales approach.

• Explanation of how you handle customer objections and problem-solve design challenges.

• Documentation of any experience with virtual selling processes or in-home consultation workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is client-facing, a strong candidate would benefit from a portfolio that demonstrates not just design flair but also a structured sales process and a results-oriented approach, akin to how operations professionals showcase process improvements and ROI. The ability to document and articulate one's sales process is a direct parallel to operations' need for process mapping and documentation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The estimated compensation for this role is $70,000 - $105,000 annually, with the potential for top performers to earn up to $135,000+. This range is based on a commissioned sales structure with potential for bonuses.

• Methodology: This estimate is derived directly from the provided text stating, "The potential income for our experienced Bassett Design Consultants averages $70,000-$105,000/year. With our corporate top writers making up to 135,000/year." Tucson, Arizona, is a mid-sized city with a cost of living that supports this salary range for a commissioned sales role, aligning with industry benchmarks for experienced design sales professionals.

Benefits:

• Paid training to ensure comprehensive product and sales knowledge.

• Health, Dental, and Vision coverage for comprehensive employee well-being.

• Disability insurance for income protection.

• Life Insurance to provide for beneficiaries.

• 401(k) plan for retirement savings.

• Tuition assistance to support continuous learning and professional development.

• Paid time off for work-life balance.

• Generous Employee Discounts on Bassett Furniture products.

• Opportunity to work in a State-of-the-Art Showroom.

• Clear Opportunity for growth and advancement within the company. Working Hours:

This role requires flexibility, including willingness to work weekends and holidays. A standard full-time workweek is approximately 40 hours, but actual hours may vary based on showroom needs and customer appointment schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated and includes a performance-based component, typical for sales roles. The inclusion of benefits like tuition assistance and opportunities for growth suggests a company committed to employee development, a key consideration for operations professionals seeking long-term career paths.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Furniture Retail & Interior Design. Bassett Furniture operates within a competitive retail landscape, emphasizing quality custom furniture, style, comfort, and value. They blend a long-standing heritage (founded in 1902) with a focus on innovation in furniture retailing.

Company Size: Bassett Furniture Industries is a well-established company with a significant presence, suggesting a structured corporate environment that still values individual contribution. The mention of "corporate top writers" implies a large enough sales force to have distinct performance tiers.

Founded: 1902. This long history underscores a legacy of craftsmanship, quality, and customer trust, providing a stable foundation for its operations and design philosophy.

Team Structure:

• The Design Consultant role is part of the sales team within a retail showroom.

• Reporting structure likely involves a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager who oversees daily operations, sales performance, and team support.

• Collaboration with other Design Consultants and showroom staff is expected to foster a supportive team environment and share best practices. Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Design: Emphasis on understanding customer needs and translating them into personalized design solutions.

• Relationship Selling: Focus on building long-term client relationships rather than transactional sales.

• Continuous Learning: Commitment to ongoing training in product knowledge, sales techniques, and design skills.

• Quality & Value: Core principles in product development and customer offerings.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and focus on innovation suggest a culture that values both tradition and forward-thinking, which can be a dynamic environment for operations professionals who need to balance established processes with new system implementations. The emphasis on quality and value is a critical aspect of GTM strategy that operations supports.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "Design Consultant" role is a client-facing sales position, not a traditional back-office operations role. However, it represents a mid-level sales career path where individuals leverage design expertise to drive revenue. Success in this role can lead to senior sales positions or management within the retail environment.

Reporting Structure: Design Consultants typically report to a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager. This structure provides direct oversight, coaching, and performance management. The manager is responsible for the overall performance of the showroom and its sales team.

Operations Impact: While not directly involved in back-end operations, the success of Design Consultants directly impacts revenue generation, customer acquisition, and brand loyalty. Their ability to effectively manage the sales process and customer experience is critical to the company's financial performance and market position. This role is a primary driver of the company's Go-To-Market success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design Consultant: Advancement to a senior role with increased responsibility, potentially mentoring junior staff or handling more complex client projects.

• Showroom Management: Progression into sales management roles, overseeing a team of consultants, managing showroom operations, and driving overall sales performance.

• Specialized Design Roles: Opportunities to focus on specific product lines or design services, becoming an expert in a niche area.

• Sales Training & Development: Potential to move into training roles, educating new hires on sales techniques and design principles.

• Interior Design Certification: Bassett offers its own certification training, providing a pathway for formal recognition and skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, understanding the GTM impact of client-facing roles like this is crucial. The growth paths highlight how sales success can translate into leadership and specialized roles, demonstrating the interconnectedness of sales, design, and operational support in driving business outcomes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a retail showroom environment. The workspace is a modern, state-of-the-art showroom designed to showcase Bassett Furniture's products and inspire customers. It's a client-facing setting where design consultations take place.

Office Location(s): Tucson, Arizona. The specific showroom location in Tucson will provide the primary work setting. The role also requires the ability to travel to customers' residences and businesses for makeovers.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Showroom Floor: A dynamic environment where consultants interact with customers and potentially collaborate with colleagues on design ideas or client needs.

• Design Tools & Technology: Access to product samples, design resources, and potentially computer systems for design visualization, client management, and order processing. The role also involves conducting virtual appointments and live chats, requiring proficiency with relevant communication technology.

• Customer Interaction Focus: The workspace is geared towards creating an engaging and inspiring experience for clients, facilitating design discussions and purchasing decisions.

Work Schedule: The role requires flexibility, including willingness to work weekends and holidays. A standard full-time schedule is expected, but hours will be dictated by showroom operating hours and customer appointment availability. This demands strong time management skills to balance client meetings, administrative tasks, and personal time.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, understanding the physical and technological environment of client-facing roles is key to designing effective support systems. The blend of showroom work, virtual appointments, and in-home visits highlights the need for flexible operational processes and potentially mobile technology solutions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and potentially a brief phone or video screening to assess basic qualifications and enthusiasm for design and sales.

• In-Person Interview: A more in-depth discussion about your sales experience, design passion, customer service approach, and understanding of Bassett's brand. This may include role-playing scenarios.

• Design/Sales Challenge: You might be asked to present a design concept based on a hypothetical client brief or demonstrate your sales approach. This could involve preparing a small portfolio or presentation.

• Showroom Visit/Meet the Team: An opportunity to see the showroom, understand the work environment, and meet potential colleagues or managers.

• Final Interview: May involve senior management to discuss career aspirations and fit with the company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Sales Acumen: Beyond aesthetics, highlight how your design recommendations led to sales conversions and exceeded targets. Use metrics where possible.

• Demonstrate Client Understanding: Include examples of how you identified and met diverse client needs, showcasing your listening and translation skills.

• Visual Storytelling: Present "before and after" photos of makeovers or designed spaces. Clearly articulate the design challenges and your solutions.

• Process Clarity: Briefly explain your personal sales process and how you engage clients from initial contact to post-sale follow-up.

• Brand Alignment: Ensure your portfolio reflects an understanding of Bassett's style, quality, and value proposition. Tailor your presentation to align with their brand identity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Sales Pitch Practice: Rehearse a concise, compelling sales pitch that highlights your understanding of consultative selling and relationship building.

• Design Solution Presentation: Prepare to present a design concept for a given scenario, focusing on how you would meet client needs within budget and style constraints.

• Objection Handling: Anticipate common customer objections (e.g., price, style, delivery) and prepare thoughtful, solution-oriented responses.

• Company Research: Understand Bassett's history, product lines, and target market. Be ready to articulate why you want to work for them specifically.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that demonstrates sales results and client understanding, coupled with presentation skills, is crucial. This mirrors the need for operations professionals to showcase process improvements with quantifiable results and to articulate complex strategies effectively to stakeholders.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM System (e.g., Salesforce or similar): For managing customer interactions, tracking sales pipelines, logging appointments, and processing orders. Proficiency in a CRM is essential for managing client relationships and sales activities.

• Point-of-Sale (POS) System: For processing transactions and managing sales within the showroom.

• Computer Proficiency: General computer skills for email, calendar management, and accessing company resources.

• Virtual Meeting Platforms (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, or proprietary software): For conducting virtual appointments and live chats with clients.

• Design Software/Tools (Potentially): While not explicitly stated, familiarity with basic design visualization tools or internal Bassett design resources would be advantageous.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Performance Dashboards: To track personal sales goals, conversion rates, and average transaction value.

• Client Data Analysis: Ability to review client purchase history and preferences to personalize recommendations.

CRM & Automation:

• Client Relationship Management: Core function of the CRM to maintain detailed customer profiles and interaction histories.

• Order Management Systems: To accurately input and track customer orders from placement to delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is not a dedicated operations role, proficiency with CRM systems is paramount for effective sales management and clienteling, a key area where Sales Operations provides support and enablement. Understanding how to leverage these tools for data capture and analysis is critical for individual success and for the company's overall GTM intelligence.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

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

• Sales Excellence: A drive to achieve and surpass sales targets through effective consultative selling and relationship building.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: A commitment to supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a positive showroom environment.

• Passion for Design: Genuine enthusiasm for interior design, aesthetics, and helping clients create beautiful spaces.

• Professionalism: Maintaining a polished image, ethical conduct, and a career-minded approach to client interactions.

• Continuous Improvement: A willingness to learn new skills, adapt to trends, and enhance design and sales capabilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Client-Focused Collaboration: Working with clients to co-create design solutions, ensuring their vision is realized.

• Showroom Synergy: Collaborating with fellow consultants and showroom staff to support each other, share insights on customer needs, and maintain an inviting showroom atmosphere.

• Managerial Support: Engaging with showroom management for guidance, training, and performance feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on customer-centricity, sales excellence, and teamwork directly aligns with core values that Revenue and Sales Operations aim to foster across the GTM organization. Understanding these values helps operations professionals tailor their support to be most effective.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Commissioned Sales Pressure: The inherent challenge of a commission-based role is the direct link between performance and income, requiring consistent motivation and sales skill.

• Diverse Client Needs: Meeting the wide range of tastes, budgets, and functional requirements of different clients.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping current with ever-evolving interior design trends and product offerings.

• Balancing Multiple Responsibilities: Juggling client consultations, in-home visits, administrative tasks, and showroom duties.

• Competition: Navigating a competitive retail market for furniture and interior design services.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Interior Design Certification: Bassett provides its own certification program, offering formal training and skill development.

• Product Knowledge Expansion: Continuous learning about new furniture lines, materials, and construction techniques.

• Sales Technique Refinement: Ongoing coaching and training on consultative selling, relationship building, and closing strategies.

• Design Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to hone aesthetic judgment, color theory, and space planning abilities.

• Career Advancement: Clear paths to senior sales roles, showroom management, or specialized design positions within Bassett.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations professionals can relate to the challenge of managing diverse requirements and staying current with trends. The growth opportunities highlight the importance of continuous learning and skill development, a principle that also drives operations roles to adapt to new technologies and methodologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to understanding a client's design needs and translating them into a cohesive design plan." (Focus on your consultative process, listening skills, and ability to interpret client input.)

• "How do you handle objections from clients regarding price, style, or lead times, particularly in a commissioned sales environment?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, negotiation, and value-reinforcement skills.)

• "Walk me through your typical sales process from initial customer contact to closing the sale and ensuring post-sale satisfaction." (Highlight your structured approach, CRM usage, and commitment to relationship building.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Bassett Furniture specifically, and what do you know about our brand and products?" (Showcase research into their heritage, product philosophy, and commitment to quality/value.)

• "How do you stay motivated in a commissioned sales role, and what are your strategies for consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets?" (Emphasize your drive, goal-setting, and proactive client engagement.)

• "Describe a time you successfully built a long-term relationship with a client. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your clienteling skills and ability to foster loyalty.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Achievements: For any sales results or revenue growth you highlight, provide specific numbers or percentages.

• Showcase Design Process: Clearly explain the steps you took from initial consultation to final design, emphasizing how you met client objectives.

• Visual Impact: Use high-quality images of your work. If you don't have professional photos, ensure your samples are well-organized and visually appealing.

• Tell a Story: Frame your portfolio pieces as case studies, detailing the client's challenge, your solution, and the positive outcome.

• Demonstrate Brand Fit: Select examples that align with Bassett's aesthetic and value proposition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice emphasizes demonstrating a structured approach, quantifiable results, and strong communication skills, all of which are critical for operations roles as well. The focus on presenting a portfolio effectively is directly transferable to operations professionals showcasing process improvements and project outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

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

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your sales achievements, customer relationship management experience, and any design-related skills or passion. Quantify your success with numbers where possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Gather examples of past design projects, sales successes, and client testimonials. Focus on showcasing your ability to understand client needs and deliver solutions that drive sales.

• Research Bassett Furniture: Understand their history, product lines, design philosophy, and market position. Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their brand and culture.

• Practice your interview responses: Prepare for questions about your sales process, design approach, client management strategies, and motivation in a commissioned environment. Practice presenting your portfolio and explaining your design choices.

⚠️ 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.