Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: National Tiles

Location: Mile End South, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Category: Interior Design & Sales Operations

Date Posted: May 28, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on client-facing design consultation within the residential market, requiring a blend of creative flair and operational efficiency in product selection and specification.

• It involves detailed administrative management, including job file organization, document handling, and client communication, essential for smooth sales operations.

• The position demands the ability to interpret technical documents such as builder contracts and floor plans, translating them into actionable design and pricing strategies.

• Successful candidates will leverage estimation programs and maintain high showroom presentation standards, directly impacting the customer experience and sales pipeline.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Design Consultant," the responsibilities strongly align with a Sales Operations or GTM (Go-To-Market) support role that requires design expertise. The emphasis on client interaction, product specification, administrative duties, and using estimation programs indicates a need for operational rigor within a creative context, typical of roles supporting sales in a product-centric industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate directly with residential clients to understand their design needs and guide them through product selection, ensuring a high-quality customer outcome.

• Utilize design skills and a keen eye for color and concepts to create aesthetically pleasing and functional home environments.

• Perform comprehensive administrative duties including managing client job files, preparing and sending documents, and liaising with clients and builders.

• Thoroughly review and interpret builder contracts and variations to accurately prepare for client appointments and project specifications.

• Read and interpret architectural floor plans to inform design decisions and product placement strategies.

• Employ estimation programs to accurately price client selections, ensuring profitability and client satisfaction.

• Maintain a high standard of showroom presentation, ensuring a visually appealing and organized environment that showcases product offerings effectively.

• Create exceptional customer experiences through expert design advice and creative flair, driving customer loyalty and positive referrals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for meticulous attention to detail in client management and documentation, which are critical for efficient sales operations. The ability to interpret technical drawings and contracts suggests a role that interfaces closely with project management or construction teams, requiring a structured approach to information processing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A qualification in Interior Design or a related field is required.

• Alternatively, equivalent practical experience in a similar client-facing design or sales support role will be considered. Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in a client-facing design role, preferably within the residential sector.

• Proven ability to manage multiple client projects concurrently, involving detailed record-keeping and follow-up.

• Experience in interpreting architectural drawings and builder contracts is crucial for effective project preparation and execution. Required Skills:

• Interior Design Expertise: Natural skill for combining colors, concepts, and materials to create cohesive and appealing design solutions.

• CAD Proficiency: Knowledge and practical application of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) packages for design visualization and documentation.

• Client Relationship Management: Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with, understand, and guide clients through the selection process.

• Technical Interpretation: Ability to read and interpret floor plans, builder contracts, and variations accurately.

• Estimation Software Proficiency: Experience using estimation programs to generate pricing for client selections.

• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to manage job files, maintain schedules, and coordinate administrative tasks efficiently.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication for liaising with clients, internal teams, and external stakeholders.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a team environment and cross-functionally.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific estimation software used by National Tiles (research may be beneficial).

• Familiarity with showroom merchandising and presentation best practices.

• Understanding of construction processes and timelines within the residential market.

• Sales-oriented mindset with a focus on achieving client satisfaction and driving sales outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for CAD proficiency and the ability to interpret technical drawings points to a role that requires a structured, analytical approach beyond pure creative design. These skills are often found in operations-adjacent roles where technical understanding is key to efficient workflow and accurate execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 detailed client projects demonstrating your design process from initial consultation to final outcome, highlighting color concepts and product specifications.

• Technical Interpretation Examples: Include examples of how you've interpreted floor plans or builder variations to inform design choices and pricing.

• Estimation/Pricing Examples: If possible, provide anonymized examples of pricing breakdowns or estimations for client projects, demonstrating accuracy and efficiency.

• Client Communication Samples: Showcase examples of professional client communication, such as proposal outlines or consultation summaries (anonymized).

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate understanding of workflow design for client consultations, from initial inquiry to project completion.

• Ability to document and standardize client selection processes to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Experience in creating or maintaining client job files and project documentation systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio should not only showcase design aesthetics but also the operational capabilities such as project management, client interaction efficiency, and technical document interpretation. This demonstrates the candidate's ability to manage the 'operations' side of design consultation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $32.04 - $33.42 per hour (AUD), plus superannuation.

• This rate is contingent upon qualifications and relevant experience.

• Note: This is an hourly rate for a full-time position, equating to approximately $60,795 - $63,430 annually before superannuation, based on a 38-hour work week.

Benefits:

• Job Security: Employment with a well-established and growing company.

• Career Progression: Opportunities for advancement, with a strong emphasis on internal promotion.

• Employee Benefits App: Access to discounts at various retailers.

• Learning & Development: Comprehensive training, development programs, and leadership courses.

• Health & Well-being: Access to free health and well-being programs, including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Company Culture: An excellent culture that fosters a safe and supportive work environment.

• Staff Discounts: Generous discounts on products for staff and their families.

• Financial: Weekly pay cycle for consistent income management.

• Special Occasion: Birthday off every year as paid leave.

Working Hours:

• Full-time, 38 hours per week.

• Standard working days are Monday to Friday.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified hourly rate falls within the mid-level range for design consultants or sales support roles in Australia, particularly in Adelaide. The benefits package is comprehensive, focusing on employee well-being, development, and financial incentives, which are attractive to operations professionals seeking stability and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Tiles & Home Renovation)

Company Size: National Tiles is a significant player in the Australian tiling industry. While exact employee numbers aren't provided, the mention of "growing company" and "well-established" suggests a medium to large enterprise with multiple showrooms and a structured operational framework.

Founded: National Tiles has been operating for several decades, indicating a stable business with established processes and a strong market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Design Consultant will likely be part of a showroom team, reporting to a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager.

• This role requires close collaboration with sales teams, potentially project managers or builders, and administrative support staff.

• The team structure emphasizes a customer-centric approach, with a focus on delivering successful design outcomes and supporting the sales pipeline. Methodology:

• The company likely employs a structured sales process, from initial client engagement to final product selection and order processing.

• Emphasis is placed on data-driven client management through estimation programs and job file organization.

• Customer satisfaction and showroom presentation are key operational metrics, driving a culture of continuous improvement in client experience.

Company Website: [National Tiles Website - if available, would be inserted here. Assuming it's National Tiles, a search would yield their official site.]

• [Example: www.nationaltiles.com.au]

📝 Enhancement Note: National Tiles operates in a competitive retail environment where customer experience, product knowledge, and operational efficiency are paramount. The company culture likely values creativity, customer service, and a structured approach to sales and design processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level (2-5 years experience) Design Consultant. It serves as a crucial interface between creative design and sales operations, requiring a blend of technical and interpersonal skills. It’s an entry point into specialized sales support or project management within the building and renovation sector.

Reporting Structure: The Design Consultant typically reports to a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager. This structure allows for direct oversight of sales performance, client satisfaction metrics, and adherence to operational standards. Collaboration with sales representatives and potentially administrative staff is expected.

Operations Impact: The Design Consultant directly impacts revenue by guiding clients through selection and specification, thereby closing sales. Their efficiency in managing job files, interpreting contracts, and providing accurate pricing contributes to smooth order processing and reduces potential errors or delays that could affect project timelines and profitability. Maintaining showroom standards also influences customer perception and sales conversion rates.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Advance into Senior Design Consultant roles, focusing on more complex projects or specific client segments (e.g., high-end residential, commercial).

• Sales Management: Transition into Showroom Management or Sales Management positions, overseeing teams and driving overall sales performance.

• Project Management: Move into roles managing residential renovation projects, leveraging experience with contracts, specifications, and client coordination.

• Operations/Process Improvement: Potentially move into roles focused on optimizing sales processes, CRM management, or training new design consultants, leveraging their understanding of client-facing operations.

• Leadership Development: The company explicitly offers leadership development programs, indicating a clear path for ambitious individuals to move into management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "promote from within" philosophy and explicit leadership development programs suggest that this role is not just a job but a potential career launchpad within National Tiles. For operations professionals, this indicates a company that invests in its talent and offers structured career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based in a retail showroom environment, specifically the Mile End Studio. This is a client-facing space designed to showcase tile products and design concepts.

Office Location(s):

• Mile End South, Adelaide, South Australia. This location is a key retail hub, ensuring accessibility for a broad client base. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The showroom setting encourages interaction with colleagues and clients. The workspace will likely include a design consultation area, access to product samples, and potentially a shared administrative or sales support area.

• Tools & Technology: The workspace will be equipped with necessary design tools, including CAD software access, estimation programs, and potentially CRM systems for client management. Showroom presentation standards imply a need for organized and visually appealing displays.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with sales staff, management, and other design consultants to share best practices, discuss client needs, and collaborate on complex projects.

Work Schedule:

• The role requires a commitment of 38 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This structured schedule allows for consistent client engagement and operational workflow management. While not explicitly stated, standard retail showroom hours may require some flexibility, but the core hours are defined.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of this role is crucial for client interaction and showroom presentation, aligning with the operational needs of a retail business. The environment fosters a blend of creative work and structured client engagement, demanding strong organizational skills to manage daily tasks effectively.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• First Interview (HR/Hiring Manager): Focus on behavioral questions, assessing your suitability for the company culture, communication skills, and understanding of design principles. This stage often includes discussing your career aspirations and why you're interested in National Tiles.

• Second Interview (Design/Sales Lead): This will likely involve a more in-depth discussion of your design process, technical skills (CAD, interpretation of plans), and problem-solving abilities. You may be presented with a hypothetical design challenge or asked to walk through a past project in detail.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy, project challenges, how you managed client expectations, and the operational aspects of your work (e.g., project management, resource utilization).

• Final Interview/Offer: May involve meeting with senior management or HR for a final assessment and discussion of terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to residential design, client interaction, and operational capabilities.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's brief, your design approach, the challenges faced, how you overcame them, and the final outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., client satisfaction, successful project completion).

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your process for client consultations, interpreting technical documents, and using design tools. Show how you manage workflow and ensure accuracy.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Include examples of your CAD work, floor plan interpretations, and any relevant estimation or specification documents.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge where you might be asked to select tiles for a specific room based on a brief and floor plan, considering budget and style.

• Process Walkthrough: You might be asked to outline how you would manage a client from initial contact through to final selection, emphasizing your organizational and communication strategies.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate questions about how you handle difficult clients, budget constraints, or unexpected design challenges. Focus on your structured approach and ability to find effective solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the interview process will heavily weigh your ability to translate creative vision into tangible, operational outcomes. Demonstrating a structured approach to client management and project execution, alongside design talent, will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency in industry-standard CAD packages (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, or specific interior design software) is essential for creating design visualizations and technical drawings.

• Estimation Programs: Experience with estimation software is required for accurately pricing client selections and ensuring project profitability. The specific program used by National Tiles may vary, but the ability to learn and adapt is key.

• CRM System: While not explicitly mentioned, a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system is likely used for managing client data, tracking interactions, and monitoring sales pipeline progress. Familiarity with CRM principles is beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Reporting: Ability to track personal sales performance and contribute to showroom sales reports.

• Client Data Management: Using systems to manage client preferences, project details, and communication history for effective follow-up and personalized service.

CRM & Automation:

• Client Database Management: Organizing and maintaining client information within the company's systems.

• Communication Tools: Proficiency in email, phone, and potentially messaging platforms for client and internal communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on estimation programs and CAD software indicates a need for technical proficiency beyond basic design principles. Candidates with experience in systems that support sales operations and project management will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A strong commitment to creating "amazing outcomes" for customers and ensuring they walk away with their "perfect home" is central.

• Quality & Presentation: Maintaining a "high standard of showroom presentation" reflects a value for professionalism, product quality, and visual appeal.

• Collaboration: The ability to "work collaboratively" is a core value, essential for seamless client experiences and team success.

• Efficiency & Organization: Performing "admin duties," managing "job files," and using "estimation programs" points to a value placed on operational efficiency and meticulous organization.

• Continuous Improvement: The company's growth and commitment to training/development suggest a culture that encourages learning and adaptation.

Collaboration Style:

• Client-Centric: The primary collaboration style revolves around understanding and meeting client needs, acting as a trusted advisor.

• Team Support: Working with sales teams and potentially other departments (e.g., logistics, procurement) to ensure seamless project delivery.

• Feedback Exchange: An open environment for sharing design ideas, discussing client feedback, and refining processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to balance creative expression with structured operational execution. Professionals who thrive in environments that value both client relationships and efficient process management will find this role appealing.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity and Constraints: Effectively translating client desires into designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and feasible within budget, contract specifications, and product limitations.

• Managing Client Expectations: Navigating diverse client needs and preferences, ensuring satisfaction while maintaining project scope and profitability.

• Technical Interpretation: Accurately reading and applying information from builder contracts and floor plans, which can sometimes be complex or ambiguous.

• Showroom Presentation: Consistently maintaining a high standard of visual merchandising in a busy retail environment.

• Learning New Systems: Adapting to National Tiles' specific estimation programs, CRM, and internal operational workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to work with a wide range of products and design styles, deepening expertise.

• Sales & Operations Training: Formal training programs in sales techniques, client management, and operational best practices.

• Leadership Development: Structured courses and mentorship aimed at developing leadership capabilities for potential career advancement into management roles.

• Industry Knowledge: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the tiling industry, product trends, and construction processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to hone both creative and operational skills. The challenges are typical of client-facing roles in product-based retail, requiring adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Philosophy: "Describe your personal design philosophy and how you approach creating a client's 'perfect home'." Prepare to discuss your methodology for understanding client needs, translating them into design concepts, and selecting appropriate materials.

• Client Management: "Walk us through an example of how you've managed a challenging client or a complex design project from start to finish." Focus on your process, communication strategies, problem-solving approach, and the operational steps you took.

• Technical Application: "How do you approach interpreting floor plans and builder contracts to inform your design and pricing decisions?" Be ready to discuss your methods for accuracy and efficiency in these tasks.

• Sales & Operations Synergy: "How do you balance creative design with the operational requirements of sales, such as accurate pricing and efficient client management?" Highlight your understanding of how design contributes to sales success.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Alignment: "Why are you interested in National Tiles and this Design Consultant role specifically?" Research National Tiles' values, market position, and recent projects. Connect your skills and aspirations to their mission.

• Teamwork: "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative workplace." Provide examples of successful teamwork and your approach to supporting colleagues.

• Growth Ambition: "Where do you see your career in 3-5 years, and how does this role fit into your long-term goals?" Discuss your interest in growth opportunities within National Tiles, referencing their internal promotion philosophy.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Storytelling: For each project, aim for a 2-3 minute overview that highlights the key aspects: client brief, your approach, challenges, solutions, and the successful outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, mention how your design contributed to client satisfaction, project efficiency, or sales closure.

• Showcase Process: Explicitly discuss your workflow, how you used CAD or estimation tools, and how you managed project documentation.

• Engage the Interviewer: Be prepared for questions about your portfolio pieces and actively engage in discussion, demonstrating your passion and expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: Your interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just your creative talent but also your operational discipline, client management skills, and ability to contribute to the company's sales objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the National Tiles careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience in residential design, client consultation, CAD proficiency, and any experience with estimation or sales support. Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your process for project management and client interaction.

• Resume Optimization: Use keywords from the job description such as "Interior Design," "CAD," "Client Relationship Management," "Estimation Programs," "Floor Plans," and "Showroom Presentation." Quantify achievements wherever possible (e.g., "Managed X client projects simultaneously," "Increased client satisfaction scores by Y%").

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with National Tiles' product range, showroom locations, and company values. Understand their market position and target audience to better articulate your fit during the interview process.

• Prepare for Portfolio Walkthrough: Be ready to articulate your design process, showcase specific projects, and discuss how your skills align with the operational demands of the role, such as managing job files and interpreting contracts.

⚠️ 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.