Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc

Location: Fort Myers, FL 33903

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Sales & Design Operations

Date Posted: August 16, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on bridging interior design expertise with sales execution, acting as a key player in the customer journey to drive revenue through personalized design solutions.

• Responsibilities encompass client consultations, space planning, creating visual representations (floor plans, 3D renderings), and directly influencing sales transactions by providing expert design recommendations.

• The position requires a blend of creative design skills and a strong understanding of sales processes, customer engagement, and product knowledge within the furniture retail sector.

• Success is measured by maintaining sales levels, increasing average ticket prices, and achieving key performance metrics within a retail showroom environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and compensation structure heavily lean into a sales-driven role with a strong design component. This is typical for retail operations roles where design expertise is a tool to enhance sales performance and customer satisfaction, rather than a purely creative or architectural function. The emphasis on commission and closing transactions confirms this operational focus.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-home, in-store, and virtual consultations to assess customer needs, style preferences, budget, and spatial requirements for home décor and furniture.

• Develop detailed floor plans and create photo-realistic 3D renderings showcasing Haverty's furniture and accessories within the customer's specific home environment.

• Collaborate closely with Sales Consultants to leverage design knowledge and expertise, directly assisting in the closing of sales transactions and enhancing the customer's buying experience.

• Schedule and conduct qualified home visits, coordinating with customers to review selected items, pricing, and delivery schedules, ensuring a seamless post-design phase.

• Provide constructive feedback to customers to build rapport, increase average ticket value, and reinforce their design selections, ultimately driving sales closure.

• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of a broad range of furniture styles, product lines, special sales, financing options, delivery procedures, and warranty information.

• Actively participate in sales training sessions conducted on the sales floor to deepen understanding of Havertys' customer engagement processes and sales methodologies.

• Utilize internal sales management tools (e.g., My Sales Center) for customer follow-up, lead management, and tracking sales activities to ensure operational efficiency.

• Contribute to sales performance by assisting Sales Consultants with the creation of special-order SKUs and increasing sales reserves through effective design recommendations.

• Deliver constructive feedback to Sales Consultants and Branch Managers regarding home visits, floor plan presentations, and overall customer engagement strategies to foster continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive role in the sales cycle, emphasizing collaboration with sales consultants and direct customer interaction to drive revenue. The inclusion of scheduling home visits and providing feedback to management points to an operational role that impacts team performance and process refinement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university in Interior Design or a related field. Alternatively, 2 to 4 years of directly related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. ASID certification is preferred.

Experience: 2 to 4 years of experience in interior design, furniture sales, or a closely related field is expected. Experience with sales processes, customer relationship management, and visual presentation tools is highly beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Interior Design Expertise: Strong understanding of design principles, color theory, space planning, and furniture styling.

• 3D Rendering & Visualization: Proficiency in creating photo-realistic 3D renderings and detailed floor plans using design software.

• Client Consultation: Ability to conduct effective consultations, understand client needs, and translate them into design solutions.

• Sales Acumen: Demonstrated ability to assist in closing sales, increase average ticket value, and contribute to revenue generation.

• Customer Service Excellence: Proven track record of providing exceptional customer service and building strong client relationships.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for reporting, communication, and presentation preparation.

• Product Knowledge: Ability to quickly learn and retain information about a wide range of furniture styles, materials, and accessories.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with customers, sales teams, and management.

• Valid Driver's License: Must possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

• Reliable Transportation: Must have reliable personal transportation for customer in-home appointments, with verification of minimum state-required car insurance.

Preferred Skills:

• ASID Certification: Professional certification from the American Society of Interior Designers.

• Room Planner Software: Prior experience with specialized room planning or interior design software beyond basic rendering tools.

• Full-Shot Image Software: Familiarity with software used for creating comprehensive visual representations.

• Retail Sales Experience: Direct experience in furniture or home furnishings retail sales.

• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple client projects and prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a valid driver's license and personal transportation for in-home visits, alongside the requirement for reliable transportation and insurance, points to the operational necessity of field-based client engagement. This is a critical detail for candidates to be aware of, as it involves personal resources and logistical planning.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse interior design projects, including residential spaces, demonstrating client needs analysis, design concept development, and final execution.

• Visual Presentation: Include examples of floor plans, 2D layouts, and high-quality 3D renderings that effectively communicate design intent and product placement.

• Client Collaboration Examples: Highlight instances where client feedback was incorporated, demonstrating adaptability and a client-centric approach.

• Sales Impact Metrics: Quantify the impact of design recommendations on sales outcomes, such as increased average ticket value, conversion rates, or customer satisfaction scores where possible.

• Product Integration: Demonstrate the ability to integrate a range of furniture and accessory products seamlessly into design schemes, showcasing product knowledge.

Process Documentation:

• Consultation Workflow: Outline a typical customer consultation process, from initial contact to needs assessment and design proposal.

• Design Development Process: Detail the steps involved in creating floor plans and 3D renderings, including software utilization and iterative design phases.

• Sales Integration Process: Explain how design recommendations are presented to customers and integrated into the sales closing process, including collaboration with sales consultants.

• Client Management Process: Describe methods for managing client expectations, follow-ups, and post-design communication to ensure customer satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role blending design and sales, a portfolio should not only showcase aesthetic skills but also the ability to translate design into tangible sales results and manage client relationships effectively. Demonstrating process efficiency and a data-driven approach to design impact is crucial for operations-minded candidates.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $100,000+ per year. The average national earnings for an Interior Design Consultant at Havertys in 2025 was $84,000. This range is based on an uncapped commission structure with a guaranteed income feature, reflecting performance-based compensation.

Benefits:

• Paid Comprehensive Training: Extensive training program covering product knowledge, sales techniques, and customer engagement processes.

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

• 401K Program: Retirement savings plan with a company match of 4%.

• Generous Benefits Package: Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid Time-Off (PTO): Includes vacation days, sick time, personal days, and company holidays.

• Associate Discount: Substantial discount on Haverty's merchandise.

• Bonus Program: Referral bonuses for team member introductions.

• Educational Financial Assistance: Support for further education and professional development.

• Health and Wellness Program: Complimentary resources focused on employee well-being.

Working Hours: Required to work 5 days a week. Retail hours include nights and weekends, with store operating hours from 10 am – 7 pm Monday – Saturday and 12 pm – 6 pm Sunday. Flexibility is also required to meet customer schedules for in-home visits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation structure is heavily commission-based, which is standard for retail sales roles. The "guaranteed income feature" suggests a draw against commission, providing a safety net. The salary range reflects significant earning potential for high performers. The "Daily Pay Program" is a notable benefit for immediate cash flow needs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Furniture Retail & Home Furnishings. Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. is a long-standing brand with over 140 years of heritage, known for quality, value, and customer service. The company operates within a competitive retail landscape, emphasizing customer experience and product selection.

Company Size: Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. is a publicly traded company (NYSE: HVT), indicating a substantial organizational size with a significant number of employees and multiple retail locations across the United States. This implies structured operations, established processes, and opportunities for career advancement within a large enterprise.

Founded: Founded over 140 years ago, Haverty's has a deep-rooted history and a strong brand reputation. This longevity suggests stability, a commitment to customer relationships, and a well-established operational framework. The company's heritage likely influences its culture, emphasizing tradition, quality, and customer loyalty.

Team Structure:

• Sales & Design Team: The Design Consultant will be part of a showroom team that includes Sales Consultants and potentially a Sales Manager or Branch Manager. Collaboration is key, with the Design Consultant supporting Sales Consultants and providing expertise.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: While primarily focused on showroom sales, the role may involve interaction with delivery teams, customer service departments, and potentially merchandising or inventory management for special orders.

• Reporting Structure: Typically, a Design Consultant would report to a Sales Manager or Branch Manager, who oversees the showroom's operational and sales performance.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Approach: The company's methodology heavily relies on providing excellent customer service and a personalized shopping experience.

• Data-Driven Sales: While creative, the role is underpinned by sales metrics and performance targets, requiring a data-informed approach to client interactions and design recommendations.

• Process-Oriented Execution: The company likely follows established procedures for sales, consultations, order processing, and customer follow-up to ensure consistency and efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and established brand suggest a stable work environment with defined processes. The "team structure" points to a collaborative sales floor where design expertise is a tool to support the broader sales goals of the organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents an entry to mid-level position within the retail sales and design operations spectrum. It is ideal for individuals with a foundation in interior design looking to apply their skills in a commercial, sales-oriented environment. The role requires a blend of creative application and business acumen, focusing on driving revenue through design consultation.

Reporting Structure: The Design Consultant typically reports to a Sales Manager or Branch Manager. This direct reporting line facilitates performance feedback, sales coaching, and integration into the showroom's operational objectives. Collaboration with Sales Consultants is also a critical element of the day-to-day working dynamic.

Operations Impact: The Design Consultant's primary impact on operations is through revenue generation and customer satisfaction. By creating compelling designs and assisting in sales closure, they directly contribute to the company's top-line performance. Furthermore, their ability to increase average ticket values and ensure customer delight enhances brand loyalty and repeat business, key operational goals for any retail organization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design Consultant/Lead Designer: Advancement to a more senior role with potentially greater client responsibility, mentorship opportunities for junior staff, and a higher commission tier.

• Sales Management: Progression into roles such as Sales Manager or Branch Manager, overseeing showroom operations, sales teams, and P&L responsibilities.

• Specialization: Development of expertise in specific product categories (e.g., luxury furnishings, outdoor living) or design styles.

• Cross-Departmental Roles: Potential opportunities in areas like visual merchandising, product development, or corporate training, leveraging design and customer interaction experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here clearly leads into sales leadership or advanced design roles within the retail context. The emphasis is on developing a well-rounded professional who can contribute to both the creative and commercial success of the showroom.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work environment is a beautifully appointed Haverty's furniture showroom. This setting is customer-focused, professional, and designed to showcase merchandise effectively. The pace is generally fast, particularly during peak retail hours and promotional periods.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Fort Myers, FL (33903). The showroom is accessible and serves the local community and surrounding areas. The work environment extends to customer homes for in-home consultations, requiring travel within a reasonable radius.

Workspace Context:

• Showroom Environment: A dynamic and visually stimulating space where collaboration with Sales Consultants is constant. Opportunities exist for peer learning and sharing best practices in design and sales.

• Tools & Technology: Access to design software, rendering tools, and potentially a CRM system (My Sales Center) for client management and sales tracking. A professional dress code is expected.

• Customer Interaction: The workspace is inherently customer-facing, requiring a high degree of professionalism, interpersonal skill, and a focus on creating a positive shopping experience.

Work Schedule: The schedule requires flexibility, including working 5 days a week, with retail hours that encompass nights and weekends. This ensures coverage during customer peak shopping times. Additionally, flexibility is needed to accommodate customer schedules for in-home visits, which may occur outside standard showroom hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The blend of showroom and in-home work means the environment can vary, requiring adaptability. The customer-facing nature is paramount, and the schedule reflects the demands of retail operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, design experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• First Interview (Hiring Manager): This interview will likely focus on your design background, sales aptitude, understanding of the Haverty's brand, and motivation for the role. Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy and how you approach client consultations.

• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your best design work. Focus on projects that demonstrate your ability to solve design challenges, work with specific product lines (if possible, Haverty's products), and achieve client objectives.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: Potentially a practical exercise, such as a brief design challenge or a role-playing scenario simulating a customer consultation or sales interaction.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional management or team members to assess cultural fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best represent your skills and align with Haverty's style and customer base. Prioritize projects that show problem-solving and client satisfaction.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly explain your design process: initial consultation, concept development, space planning, product selection, and final presentation.

• Showcase Renderings: Ensure your 3D renderings are high-quality, photo-realistic, and effectively showcase how furniture and accessories fit into a space.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or testimonials that demonstrate the success of your designs, such as client satisfaction, project completion within budget, or contributions to sales.

• Tailor to Haverty's: Familiarize yourself with Haverty's product catalog and design aesthetic. If you have experience with similar styles or products, highlight it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Sales Scenarios: Practice role-playing scenarios where you might need to persuade a customer, handle objections, or upsell products based on design recommendations.

• Design Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a design challenge given specific constraints (e.g., small space, limited budget, specific style request).

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Haverty's history, brand values, product lines, and current market position. Understand their customer demographic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be multi-stage, focusing on both design proficiency and sales capability. A strong portfolio that bridges these two aspects will be critical. The mention of "My Sales Center" suggests that familiarity with CRM systems in a sales context will be a plus.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for daily operations, including Word for documentation, Excel for sales tracking and basic analysis, and PowerPoint for presentations.

• Interior Design Software: Proficiency with room planner software and 3D rendering tools is crucial. While specific software isn't named, candidates should be prepared to demonstrate expertise in industry-standard platforms. Examples include SketchUp, AutoCAD, Chief Architect, or similar visualization tools.

• Image Software: Familiarity with software for manipulating and presenting images, potentially for creating mood boards or enhancing rendering outputs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Reporting Tools: Internal systems like "My Sales Center" will be used for tracking sales performance, customer interactions, and key metrics.

• CRM Systems: Experience with CRM platforms for managing customer relationships, leads, and sales pipelines is highly beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): The role involves direct customer interaction and follow-up, making CRM proficiency important for managing client data and sales cycles.

• Sales Process Automation: While not explicitly stated, any experience with tools that streamline sales workflows or customer communication would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technological requirements revolve around design visualization tools and standard office productivity software. Familiarity with CRM systems for sales tracking is a strong advantage, given the operational context of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A paramount value, emphasizing personalized service, understanding client needs, and ensuring satisfaction throughout the design and sales process.

• Quality & Integrity: Upholding the company's long-standing reputation for quality products and honest business practices.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: Working effectively with Sales Consultants and other showroom staff to achieve collective sales goals and provide a seamless customer experience.

• Efficiency & Productivity: Striving to optimize processes, manage time effectively, and contribute to the overall productivity of the showroom, particularly in closing sales and increasing ticket averages.

• Continuous Improvement: Openness to training, feedback, and adapting to new design trends, sales strategies, and company processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Supportive Sales Environment: The culture likely encourages collaboration where design expertise directly supports sales efforts. This involves open communication and shared goals between Design Consultants and Sales Consultants.

• Client-Centric Partnership: Collaboration is focused on creating a unified front for the customer, ensuring consistent messaging and a cohesive experience from initial design concept through to final purchase.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share design insights, product knowledge, and successful client engagement strategies among team members to elevate the overall performance of the showroom.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of creative contribution and business results, driven by customer satisfaction and team collaboration. This highlights the operational expectation that design is a tool to achieve commercial success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Sales Targets: Effectively translating artistic design vision into commercially viable solutions that meet customer budgets and drive sales.

• Managing Diverse Client Needs: Catering to a wide range of customer styles, preferences, and budgets, requiring adaptability and strong consultative skills.

• Fast-Paced Retail Environment: Thriving in a dynamic showroom setting with high customer traffic, requiring efficient time management and multitasking abilities.

• In-Home Appointment Logistics: Successfully scheduling and conducting in-home consultations, which involves personal transportation and time management across multiple locations.

• Staying Current with Trends & Products: Continuously updating knowledge of furniture styles, design trends, and Haverty's extensive product catalog.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Product Training: In-depth training on Haverty's comprehensive product lines, materials, and craftsmanship.

• Sales Methodology Training: Development of skills in customer engagement, consultation techniques, objection handling, and closing strategies.

• Design Software Proficiency: Potential for advanced training on specific design visualization and rendering software.

• Career Advancement: Clear pathways for growth into senior design roles, sales management positions, or other operational areas within the company.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced sales professionals and management within the Haverty's network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a retail design-sales role, emphasizing the dual nature of the position. Growth opportunities are strongly tied to mastering both design application and sales execution within the company's framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your process for a typical interior design consultation, from initial client contact to final design proposal." (Focus on your structured approach, needs assessment, and creative ideation.)

• Sales Integration: "How do you leverage your design expertise to influence purchasing decisions and increase the average sales ticket?" (Highlight your ability to connect design recommendations with customer value and sales outcomes.)

• Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you had to adapt a design plan due to client budget constraints or specific space limitations. What was the outcome?" (Showcase your flexibility, problem-solving skills, and client-focused solutions.)

• Handling Objections: "Imagine a client loves a specific piece but it's outside their budget. How would you address this while still aiming to close the sale?" (Demonstrate your sales acumen and ability to find alternative solutions.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brand Alignment: "What attracts you to Haverty Furniture specifically, and how do you see your design skills fitting into our brand?" (Research Haverty's history, values, and product style.)

• Teamwork: "How do you envision collaborating with our Sales Consultants to best serve the customer and drive sales?" (Emphasize your supportive and team-oriented approach.)

• Customer Experience: "What does exceptional customer service mean to you in a retail design setting?" (Focus on personalization, empathy, and exceeding expectations.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a story about the client's needs, the challenges you faced, your design solutions, and the positive outcome.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your renderings are clear, compelling, and demonstrate how products fit within a realistic space. Use annotations to explain design choices.

• Quantify Success: If possible, mention any measurable results, such as client satisfaction feedback, project completion time, or how your design contributed to a sale.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects efficiently, highlighting the most relevant aspects for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both design creativity and a strong understanding of sales principles and customer service within a retail context. The ability to articulate how design directly contributes to revenue is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Haverty's Jobs website.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to showcase projects that align with Haverty's aesthetic and demonstrate your ability to work with furniture and home décor. Highlight projects involving space planning and 3D visualization.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your interior design qualifications, any relevant sales experience, customer service achievements, and proficiency with design software and Microsoft Office. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your design process, sales approach, and how you handle client consultations and objections. Prepare to present your portfolio confidently.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc., understanding their brand, product offerings, and customer base 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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