Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc

Location: St. Petersburg, Florida, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Sales / Design Consulting

Date Posted: 2026-06-21T07:00:00

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive sales and customer satisfaction by providing expert interior design consultation and space planning services within a retail environment.

• Collaborate closely with sales consultants to enhance the customer experience, offering design solutions that align with customer needs, style preferences, and budgets.

• Develop visually compelling design proposals, including floor plans and photo-realistic 3D renderings, to showcase furniture and accessory selections.

• Conduct in-home, in-store, and virtual consultations to deeply understand client requirements and project scope, ensuring a personalized and effective design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a hybrid sales and design function, requiring a professional who can effectively balance creative design skills with the ability to influence purchasing decisions and achieve sales targets within the furniture retail sector. The emphasis on customer engagement and closing transactions indicates a strong focus on revenue generation through design expertise.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Engage with customers and sales consultants to craft beautiful room designs and recommend furniture and accessories, providing a complete, curated look.

• Offer in-home, in-store, and virtual consultations to accurately assess customer needs, style, investment level, and space constraints.

• Generate detailed floor plans and photo-realistic 3D renderings of Haverty's furniture and accessories within the customer's home environment.

• Support Sales Consultants in closing transactions by leveraging design knowledge and building customer confidence.

• Assist Sales Consultants in scheduling and conducting qualified client home visits and final presentations.

• Coordinate with customers to review selected items, pricing, and delivery schedules, ensuring a smooth post-sale process.

• Provide valuable feedback to Sales Consultants and Branch Managers following home visits and design presentations.

• Aid Sales Consultants in creating special-order SKUs and increasing sales reserves through comprehensive design solutions.

• Offer constructive feedback to customers to drive sales growth and elevate average ticket values.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of special sales, financing options, delivery procedures, and warranty information.

• Reinforce customer selections and actively contribute to bringing sales to closure.

• Utilize internal systems, such as My Sales Center, for customer follow-up and engagement.

• Continuously expand knowledge of a broad range of furniture styles and product offerings to better serve customer needs.

• Consistently meet or exceed required sales levels and key performance metrics as directed by management.

• Participate in sales training sessions on the sales floor to deepen understanding of Haverty's customer engagement model and sales processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design application, direct customer interaction, sales support, and administrative tasks. The expectation to "increase sales reserves" and "elevate average ticket values" indicates a performance-driven role where design expertise directly translates into revenue.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university in Interior Design or a related field.

• ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) certification is preferred. Experience:

• 2 to 4 years of related experience in interior design, furniture sales, or a similar client-facing design role.

• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Required Skills:

• Profound knowledge of interior design principles, color theory, and space planning.

• Expertise in creating detailed floor plans and visually compelling 3D renderings.

• Strong customer consultation and active listening skills to understand client needs and preferences.

• Ability to recommend furniture and accessories that align with design aesthetics and customer budgets.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Valid Driver's License with a clean driving record and reliable personal transportation for in-home appointments.

• Verification of minimum state-required car insurance. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience with Room Planner software (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp, specialized furniture design software).

• Experience in the furniture retail industry.

• ASID certification or other relevant professional design accreditation.

• Excellent client relationship management and communication skills.

• Proven ability to assist in closing sales and increasing average transaction values.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a formal education in interior design or equivalent experience, coupled with practical skills in visual design software and client interaction. The necessity for personal transportation and a clean driving record is a critical on-site requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse interior design projects, demonstrating a range of styles and client needs.

• Include examples of completed floor plans, clearly indicating scale, furniture placement, and spatial flow.

• Present high-quality 3D renderings or visualizations that accurately depict proposed designs and product selections.

• Detail the design process for each project, from initial client consultation and needs assessment to final implementation or presentation.

• Highlight specific contributions to client satisfaction and how design recommendations influenced purchasing decisions. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the client consultation process, from initial contact to needs assessment and proposal development.

• Provide examples of how you manage client feedback and iterate on designs to achieve client approval.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with sales teams to ensure design proposals align with sales objectives and product availability.

• Show how you track design project progress and communicate updates to clients and internal stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a strong portfolio is crucial for this role. Candidates should be prepared to present visual examples of their design work, including floor plans and 3D renderings, and articulate their design process. This demonstrates their ability to translate creative concepts into tangible client solutions that drive sales.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $100,000+ per year (Commission-based with guaranteed income feature).

• The average national earnings for an Interior Design Consultant at Haverty's in 2025 was $84,000. Benefits:

• Paid comprehensive training program to equip you with product knowledge and sales techniques.

• Daily Pay Program: Flexibility to draw pay between regular pay cycles.

• 401K program with a 4% company match.

• Generous benefits package including premier medical, dental, and vision insurance partners.

• Paid time-off (PTO) including vacation, sick time, personal days, and company holidays.

• Substantial associate discount on Haverty's merchandise.

• Bonus program for successful team member referrals.

• Educational financial assistance.

• Complimentary health and wellness program. Working Hours:

• Required to work 5 days a week.

• Retail store hours include evenings and weekends: Monday - Saturday (10 am - 7 pm), Sunday (12 pm - 6 pm).

• Flexibility is required to accommodate customer schedules for in-home visits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation structure is commission-driven with a guaranteed income, offering significant earning potential. The benefits package is robust, addressing financial security, health, work-life balance, and employee well-being. The working hours are standard for retail, requiring availability during peak customer traffic times.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Furniture Retail & Home Furnishings. Haverty's operates within a competitive market, focusing on quality, customer service, and a strong brand heritage. The company emphasizes creating beautiful living spaces and providing exceptional customer experiences.

Company Size: Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. is a large, established retail organization with a significant number of employees and numerous store locations across the United States. This size offers stability and opportunities for growth.

Founded: Over 140 years ago, establishing a long-standing reputation for quality and service in the furniture industry. This heritage suggests a culture that values tradition, customer loyalty, and enduring quality.

Team Structure:

• The Design Consultant typically works within a branch store environment, collaborating closely with Sales Consultants, Sales Managers, and potentially other design specialists.

• Reporting structure likely involves a direct report to a Branch Manager or Sales Manager, with cross-functional interaction across sales, operations, and customer service teams.

• Collaboration is key, with the Design Consultant acting as a specialist resource to support and enhance the sales team's efforts, ensuring a cohesive customer journey from initial contact to final purchase. Methodology:

• Customer-centric approach, prioritizing understanding individual client needs, styles, and budgets.

• Data-driven insights are used to track sales performance, customer preferences, and market trends, informing design recommendations and sales strategies.

• Emphasis on workflow optimization for consultations, design creation, and sales support to ensure efficiency and high customer satisfaction.

• Focus on visual merchandising and presentation of products, utilizing tools like 3D renderings to enhance the sales process.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Haverty's culture appears to blend a strong heritage with a forward-looking approach to customer service and sales. The emphasis on design as a driver of sales suggests a collaborative environment where creative professionals play a vital role in the company's revenue generation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-level position within the sales and design spectrum of the furniture retail industry. It requires specialized design skills combined with sales acumen, acting as a bridge between creative services and direct revenue generation.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Sales Manager or Branch Manager. This structure provides visibility to sales performance and operational efficiency, with opportunities to influence sales outcomes through design expertise.

Operations Impact: The Design Consultant's primary impact is on revenue generation through increased sales, higher average ticket values, and improved customer satisfaction and loyalty. By providing expert design guidance, they elevate the customer experience, differentiate Haverty's offerings, and contribute directly to the company's financial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Advance to Senior Design Consultant, specializing in high-end projects or specific product categories.

• Leadership: Transition into Sales Management or Branch Management roles, leveraging design and customer service experience to lead teams and drive overall store performance.

• Training & Development: Opportunities for ongoing training in advanced design software, new product lines, and sales techniques. Potential for leadership development programs within a large, established organization.

• Cross-functional Roles: Potential to move into merchandising, visual display, or training roles within the broader Haverty's organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a large retail organization, particularly for individuals who excel in both design and customer interaction. The blend of sales and design provides a unique skill set that can be leveraged for advancement into management or specialized roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily a retail showroom environment, designed to be aesthetically pleasing and inviting for customers. This includes beautifully appointed display areas and potentially private consultation spaces.

Office Location(s): The role is based in a Haverty's retail store located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The specific store address is implied by the job posting's location data.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is a dynamic, customer-facing retail setting.

• Access to design tools, product samples, and potentially dedicated design software stations.

• Collaboration with sales associates and management is frequent, fostering a team-oriented atmosphere.

• The environment requires professionalism, creativity, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced customer service setting.

Work Schedule: Standard retail hours, including evenings and weekends, are required. Flexibility is essential to accommodate customer needs for consultations, including potential in-home visits outside of regular store hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is distinctly retail-focused, demanding adaptability to customer traffic, peak hours, and the need for flexible scheduling. The aesthetic quality of the showroom is integral to the role, requiring the consultant to maintain a professional and inspiring presentation of the brand and its products.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and application, potentially a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• In-Person Interview: Likely a series of interviews with the hiring manager (Branch Manager/Sales Manager) and possibly senior sales staff. This may include behavioral questions and situational assessments.

• Design Assessment/Portfolio Review: Candidates will be expected to present their design portfolio, showcasing past projects, design process, and visual capabilities. This is a critical step to evaluate design skill and client communication.

• Sales Simulation: A role-playing exercise or discussion about sales scenarios to assess consultation and closing abilities.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a regional manager or HR representative to discuss overall fit, compensation, and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that best showcase your skills in space planning, 3D rendering, and client collaboration.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's needs, your design approach, the challenges you overcame, and the final outcome, emphasizing how your design solution led to customer satisfaction and/or purchase.

• Highlight Process: Detail your workflow from initial consultation through to final presentation, demonstrating your understanding of the client journey and your ability to manage projects efficiently.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure all visuals (floor plans, renderings) are high-resolution, easy to understand, and professionally presented.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or testimonials that demonstrate the success of your designs, such as increased sales, positive client feedback, or successful space transformations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach common design challenges, such as working with difficult spaces, limited budgets, or conflicting client preferences.

• Sales Approach: Practice articulating your value proposition as a designer who drives sales, and prepare to discuss how you would engage a customer, identify their needs, and present solutions.

• Product Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with Haverty's product lines and current trends in home furnishings to demonstrate your preparedness and interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes both design proficiency and sales capability. A strong, well-presented portfolio is non-negotiable. Candidates should prepare to discuss their design process, client management skills, and how they contribute to sales goals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for general business communication, documentation, and presentations (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Room Planner Software: Proficiency is highly beneficial. While specific software isn't named, candidates should be comfortable with industry-standard 3D visualization and layout tools (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp, Chief Architect, or similar).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Sales Systems: Likely utilize company-specific CRM or sales management tools (e.g., "My Sales Center" mentioned) for customer tracking, lead management, and sales data.

• Performance Metrics: Understanding and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to sales volume, average ticket price, conversion rates, and customer satisfaction.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Software: Experience with customer relationship management systems for managing client interactions, follow-ups, and sales pipelines.

• Internal Sales Platforms: Familiarity with platforms used for order entry, special orders, and inventory management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific software isn't detailed, the role requires proficiency in standard office productivity tools and a strong aptitude for learning specialized design and sales software. The ability to leverage technology for client visualization and sales management is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Prioritizing customer needs, satisfaction, and building lasting relationships through exceptional design and service.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: Emphasizing the quality of Haverty's products and ensuring design recommendations reflect these standards.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: Working effectively with sales consultants and management to achieve shared goals and provide a seamless customer experience.

• Professionalism & Integrity: Maintaining high standards of conduct, communication, and ethical practice in all client and internal interactions.

• Sales Drive: A commitment to achieving sales targets and contributing to the financial success of the branch and the company.

Collaboration Style:

• Supportive Partnership: The Design Consultant acts as a key support resource for the sales team, enhancing their ability to close deals by providing expert design solutions.

• Cross-functional Communication: Regular interaction with sales, management, and potentially operations/logistics teams to ensure smooth project execution and customer delivery.

• Feedback Loop: An environment that encourages constructive feedback among team members to continuously improve sales processes and customer service.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values a blend of creative expertise and sales effectiveness. Team members are expected to be collaborative, customer-centric, and driven by both design excellence and revenue generation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design and Sales: Effectively integrating creative design services with the demands of achieving sales targets in a retail setting.

• Diverse Customer Needs: Catering to a wide range of customer styles, budgets, and project scopes, requiring adaptability and broad product knowledge.

• In-Home Consultations: Managing logistics, time, and client expectations during off-site visits, often requiring flexibility in scheduling.

• Competitive Market: Differentiating Haverty's offerings and design services in a crowded furniture retail landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Product Knowledge Expansion: Continuous learning about new furniture collections, materials, styles, and design trends.

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to enhance skills in 3D rendering and visualization tools.

• Sales and Negotiation Skills: Development through company training programs and on-the-job experience.

• Career Progression: Clear pathways for advancement into senior design, sales management, or branch leadership roles within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to hone both creative and commercial skills. The challenges are typical of high-touch retail sales environments, offering significant learning opportunities for those looking to grow within the industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you successfully influenced a customer's purchasing decision through your design expertise. What was your strategy?" (Focus on your consultation process, problem-solving, and sales influence.)

• "How do you balance creative design aspirations with a customer's budget and practical needs?" (Demonstrate your ability to find solutions that are both aesthetically pleasing and financially viable.)

• "Walk me through your process for creating a 3D rendering for a client. What information do you need, and how do you ensure accuracy?" (Highlight your technical skills and attention to detail.)

• "Imagine a client is hesitant about a particular furniture piece. How would you address their concerns and reinforce your recommendation?" (Showcase your communication, persuasion, and product knowledge.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Haverty's design philosophy and product lines?" (Research their website, current collections, and brand messaging.)

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to our sales goals and customer satisfaction metrics?" (Connect your expertise directly to business outcomes.)

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you collaborate with sales teams." (Emphasize teamwork, communication, and a customer-centric approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Narrative: For each project, provide a brief overview of the client's brief, your proposed solution, and the positive outcome, focusing on client satisfaction and purchase decisions.

• Visual Emphasis: Let your visuals (floor plans, renderings) do a lot of the talking, but be prepared to explain the key design elements and rationale behind your choices.

• Interactive Q&A: Be ready to answer specific questions about your design choices, software proficiency, and how you handled any challenges encountered.

• Showcase Versatility: Present projects that demonstrate your ability to work with different styles, room types, and client budgets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of how design directly impacts sales and customer experience. Candidates should articulate their process clearly, backed by strong visual evidence in their portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Haverty's careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a digital portfolio that highlights your interior design skills, specifically showcasing examples of floor plans, 3D renderings, and client consultation scenarios. Tailor it to the furniture retail context.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your experience in interior design, customer consultation, and any sales support roles. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "increased average ticket by X%," "successfully consulted on Y projects").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, sales approach, and how you contribute to a positive customer experience. Be ready to discuss your portfolio and respond to scenario-based questions.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc., focusing on their brand values, product offerings, and target customer demographic to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.

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