Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: Express Flooring

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Job Type: 1099 – Direct Seller

Category: Sales Operations / GTM Sales Execution

Date Posted: 2026-08-19T20:20:51

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on direct, in-home consultative sales, driving revenue through personalized customer interactions and closing deals within a single appointment.

• Success is measured by consistent achievement and exceeding individual sales goals, with a significant emphasis on performance-based, uncapped commission earnings.

• The position requires managing a personal sales pipeline, scheduling appointments efficiently, and leveraging company-provided leads and marketing to drive business.

• It involves acting as a brand ambassador for a leading flooring company, ensuring a seamless customer journey from initial consultation to the final agreement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and compensation structure clearly indicate a high-performance, in-home sales role with a strong emphasis on closing deals. The "Operations" category is assigned due to the role's direct contribution to revenue generation and its reliance on company-provided systems and lead generation, aligning it with Go-To-Market (GTM) sales execution. The 1099 classification implies a contractor status, requiring self-management of time and business expenses.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-home consultations to understand customer needs, present customized flooring solutions, and build trust.

• Guide homeowners through the decision-making process, offering curated product selections and design recommendations.

• Prepare accurate measurements and project estimates to facilitate confident customer decisions.

• Educate customers on financing options and available promotions to enhance the value proposition.

• Drive sales from consultation to signed agreement, aiming for a one-call close to maximize efficiency and customer satisfaction.

• Partner effectively with internal support teams to ensure a seamless customer experience from sale through installation.

• Consistently achieve and exceed individual sales goals through proactive pipeline management and effective sales techniques.

• Manage and organize a personal schedule to accommodate multiple in-home appointments daily across an assigned market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a high-velocity, direct sales approach focused on closing deals during the initial customer interaction. The "partner with internal teams" responsibility suggests a need for clear communication and handover processes, a key aspect of sales operations coordination.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.

Experience: 2+ years of in-home sales, outside sales, or consultative sales experience.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales goals.

• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to independently manage your schedule and sales pipeline.

• Confidence and proficiency in a one-call-close sales environment.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills for managing multiple appointments.

• Ability to understand and articulate product features, benefits, and design recommendations.

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for travel to customer homes. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the flooring, home improvement, or interior design industries.

• Proficiency with CRM systems for managing leads and customer interactions.

• Experience presenting financing options and promotional offers effectively.

• Ability to interpret measurements and create accurate project estimates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "entrepreneurial mindset" and "one-call-close" suggests a need for candidates who are self-starters and highly effective closers. The preference for industry experience and CRM proficiency indicates areas where candidates can differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Documented examples of successful sales cycles, highlighting the progression from initial consultation to closed deal.

• Case studies demonstrating how you understood customer needs and provided tailored solutions that led to a sale.

• Evidence of consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets, ideally with quantifiable results (e.g., revenue generated, close rates).

• Examples of how you managed your sales pipeline and scheduled appointments efficiently to maximize productivity. Process Documentation:

• Outline of your typical in-home sales consultation process, from initial greeting to closing the sale.

• Description of how you approach understanding customer needs and presenting product solutions.

• Explanation of your method for preparing measurements and project estimates.

• Details on how you handle objections and close sales in a consultative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the nature of a commission-based sales role with a focus on results implies that candidates should be prepared to showcase their sales achievements and process. This section infers what would constitute a strong demonstration of their capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $125,000 - $150,000 USD annually (estimated base for high performers before commission). Uncapped commission structure. Successful Design Consultants are projected to earn an average of $150,000–$250,000 in their first year, with top performers exceeding $300,000+ annually.

Benefits:

• 7-week paid training program to equip you with necessary sales and product knowledge.

• Ongoing coaching and development to support continuous skill enhancement.

• Company-provided iPad and measuring tool to facilitate consultations and estimations.

• Pre-scheduled appointments, eliminating the need for cold calling.

• Marketing support that consistently drives new sales opportunities.

• Dedicated internal support teams available before and after the sale.

• Access to an optional contractor benefits program offering discounts and resources.

Working Hours: Availability to work evenings and weekends is required, as customers are most available during these times. The role demands flexibility to manage a schedule with multiple in-home appointments per day.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided in the input is an estimated base, but the description emphasizes uncapped commission as the primary earning driver. The benefits listed are crucial for independent contractors, especially the paid training and pre-scheduled appointments, which significantly reduce upfront risk and effort. The working hours highlight the need for flexibility and customer-centric availability.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail / Home Improvement / Flooring Solutions. Express Flooring is a leading provider of residential and commercial flooring solutions across multiple states, focusing on quality products and professional installation.

Company Size: Express Flooring is described as a "rapidly expanding company" operating in multiple states, suggesting a medium to large enterprise with a significant market presence.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company is positioned as a "leading provider" with a "trusted brand" and "thousands of satisfied customers," indicating a well-established operational history.

Team Structure:

• The role operates as an individual contributor within a sales team, reporting to sales leadership.

• Collaboration occurs with internal support teams responsible for customer service, installation scheduling, and potentially marketing.

• The structure emphasizes individual performance and autonomy, supported by company-provided leads and resources. Methodology:

• Data-driven approach to sales, leveraging marketing-generated leads and performance metrics to drive business.

• Emphasis on consultative selling and customer relationship management to foster trust and secure sales.

• Process-oriented execution, from initial consultation and estimation to ensuring a seamless post-sale experience.

Company Website: http://www.expressflooring.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values ambitious, results-driven individuals who thrive in a high-performance sales environment. The "rapidly expanding" nature suggests opportunities for growth and a dynamic work atmosphere. The emphasis on customer service and a "trusted brand" indicates a commitment to quality and client satisfaction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an individual contributor role at the experienced sales professional level, focused on direct revenue generation. It's positioned as a "Direct Seller" and "1099" role, emphasizing autonomy and performance-based rewards.

Reporting Structure: The Design Consultant reports to sales leadership within the Express Flooring organization. While individual autonomy is high, there's a clear hierarchy for management and support.

Operations Impact: This role directly drives revenue for Express Flooring through in-home sales. Successful consultants contribute significantly to the company's market share and profitability by closing deals and ensuring customer satisfaction, which fuels repeat business and referrals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Sales Mastery: Develop advanced consultative selling, negotiation, and closing skills through ongoing coaching and real-world experience.

• Leadership Potential: High performers may transition into sales management, team leadership, or senior consultant roles, mentoring new hires and contributing to sales strategy.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of flooring products, design trends, and home improvement processes, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Entrepreneurial Development: Hone business management skills, including pipeline management, scheduling, and financial planning, applicable to any sales career.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role is strongly tied to sales performance. While direct promotion paths might be limited for 1099 contractors, the skills developed are highly transferable and can lead to senior sales positions, management roles, or even entrepreneurship within or outside the company. The "7-week paid training program plus ongoing coaching" highlights a commitment to developing talent.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a field-based, in-home sales role. The "office" is the customer's home.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Albuquerque, NM, requiring travel within an assigned market area to conduct appointments.

Workspace Context:

• The primary workspace is the customer's home, requiring adaptability and professionalism in diverse residential settings.

• Company-provided tools (iPad, measuring tool) support the on-site work.

• The environment is dynamic, involving travel and interaction with various customers daily.

• Collaboration with internal support teams occurs remotely or via phone/email.

Work Schedule: Flexible schedule to accommodate customer availability, typically involving evenings and weekends. Requires the ability to manage a daily schedule of multiple appointments and travel time efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" nature of this role means candidates must be comfortable working independently in customer environments and managing their own travel and schedule logistics. The flexibility in working hours is a key aspect of the role, driven by customer demand.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a phone or video call to assess basic qualifications, sales aptitude, and enthusiasm.

• In-Depth Interview: May involve a more detailed discussion about sales experience, consultative selling techniques, and problem-solving scenarios.

• Role-Play/Presentation: Candidates might be asked to conduct a mock in-home consultation or present a sales scenario to assess their presentation and closing skills.

• Field Shadowing/Ride-Along: Potentially a component where candidates observe or participate in actual customer appointments to demonstrate their capabilities in real-time.

• Final Interview: Discussion with sales leadership to confirm fit and expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Be prepared to discuss specific sales achievements with quantifiable results (e.g., "Increased my close rate by 15% in Q3 by implementing X strategy").

• Highlight examples of how you successfully built rapport and trust with clients in a consultative setting.

• Showcase your ability to adapt your sales approach based on customer needs and home environment.

• If possible, bring visual aids or case studies that demonstrate your design recommendations and their impact on sales.

• Clearly articulate your process for managing a sales pipeline and closing deals, especially in a one-call-close scenario. Challenge Preparation:

• Practice your opening statement and how you build rapport quickly.

• Prepare for scenarios where you need to overcome objections related to price, product, or decision-making.

• Be ready to demonstrate how you would present flooring solutions and close the sale.

• Understand the typical challenges of in-home sales and how you address them (e.g., time constraints, customer hesitation).

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the direct sales nature and 1099 status, the interview process will heavily focus on proven sales ability, self-management, and the capacity to close deals independently. Candidates should be ready to "sell themselves" and demonstrate their sales process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Company-Provided iPad: Used for presentations, product catalogs, taking measurements, generating estimates, and potentially CRM access.

• Measuring Tool: Essential for accurate on-site measurements.

• CRM System (Implied): While not explicitly named, a CRM is typically used by sales teams to manage leads, track customer interactions, and monitor pipeline progress. Candidates with experience in common CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) will have an advantage.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance metrics will likely be tracked via the CRM and company sales reports, focusing on conversion rates, average deal size, and total sales revenue. CRM & Automation:

• Candidates are expected to manage their schedule and pipeline independently, indicating a need for strong personal organizational skills. Automation might be limited to company-provided lead generation and internal support systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a tablet-based sales tool and strong personal organizational skills are key. Familiarity with CRM principles is highly beneficial, even if the specific platform isn't named. The role emphasizes manual execution of sales processes rather than heavy reliance on complex automation tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Results-Driven: A strong emphasis on achieving and exceeding sales goals through consistent effort and performance.

• Customer-Centric: Prioritizing customer satisfaction by understanding needs and providing tailored solutions and excellent service.

• Integrity: Building trust with homeowners through honest consultations and reliable product/service delivery.

• Professionalism: Representing Express Flooring with a high degree of professionalism in customer homes and interactions.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Valuing individuals who take initiative, manage their time effectively, and drive their own success.

Collaboration Style:

• Primarily independent work in the field, with remote collaboration via phone and email with internal support teams (sales management, customer service, installation coordination).

• A culture that supports individual achievement while ensuring seamless handoffs for post-sale processes.

• Openness to feedback and coaching from sales leadership to improve performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of individual performance focus and team support. Candidates who are self-motivated, customer-focused, and can work autonomously while maintaining professional communication will thrive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Sales Acumen: Consistently closing sales in a one-call-close environment requires strong persuasion and objection-handling skills.

• Schedule Management: Balancing multiple appointments, travel time, and administrative tasks effectively to maximize productivity.

• Market Fluctuations: Adapting to seasonal changes or economic factors that may impact consumer spending on home improvements.

• Independent Work: Thriving in a 1099 role without direct, constant supervision requires self-discipline and motivation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Intensive Training: A comprehensive 7-week paid training program covers sales techniques, product knowledge, and company processes.

• Ongoing Coaching: Continuous support and guidance from sales leadership to refine skills and overcome challenges.

• Performance-Based Growth: Opportunities to increase earnings significantly through exceeding sales targets.

• Industry Specialization: Developing deep expertise in flooring materials, design, and installation processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the performance-driven nature of the role and the need for self-sufficiency. However, the company provides robust initial training and ongoing support, mitigating some of these challenges and fostering growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for conducting an in-home sales consultation, from arrival to closing." (Focus on rapport building, needs assessment, solution presentation, and closing techniques).

• "How do you handle objections related to price or the need for immediate decision-making in a one-call-close scenario?" (Demonstrate negotiation and closing strategies).

• "Tell me about a time you exceeded your sales goals. What strategies did you employ?" (Quantify achievements and highlight proactive sales tactics).

• "How do you manage your schedule and pipeline to ensure you meet your targets consistently?" (Showcase organizational and time management skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Express Flooring and why are you interested in this Design Consultant role?" (Research the company, its products, and its market position).

• "How do you approach building trust and rapport with homeowners you meet for the first time?" (Emphasize customer-centric approach and communication skills).

• "This is a 1099 role with uncapped commission. How do you view this compensation structure, and how do you motivate yourself to succeed?" (Express enthusiasm for performance-based earnings and self-management). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prepare to discuss specific sales achievements with concrete examples and quantifiable results.

• If you have visual aids (e.g., past design proposals, photos of successful projects), be ready to present them.

• Clearly articulate your sales process and how you adapt it to different customer needs.

• Be ready to role-play a sales scenario or answer hypothetical customer questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong sales aptitude, a clear and effective sales process, and the ability to thrive in a commission-based, independent role. Quantifiable results and specific examples are crucial for showcasing past success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Express Flooring careers page.

• Resume Tailoring: Ensure your resume highlights quantifiable sales achievements, experience in in-home or consultative sales, and any relevant industry experience. Use keywords from the job description such as "in-home sales," "consultative selling," "sales goals," and "customer experience."

• Portfolio Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific examples of your sales process, how you've met or exceeded targets, and your approach to building customer relationships. While a formal portfolio isn't required, be prepared to articulate your sales methodology.

• Interview Practice: Practice answering common sales interview questions, focusing on the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions and preparing for potential role-play scenarios.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Express Flooring's products, services, and market position. Understand their commitment to customer service and their brand reputation.

⚠️ 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.