Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant (In-home Sales Pro)

Company: SPF Screens & Awnings (A Hunter Douglas Brand)

Location: Atlanta, GA, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Sales Operations / GTM (Go-to-Market) - Direct Sales

Date Posted: August 11, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5+ Years

Remote Status: On-site (Field Sales Role)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a high-ticket, consultative sales position focused on in-home consultations for premium outdoor living solutions, specifically retractable awnings and motorized sunscreens.

• The Design Consultant is responsible for running pre-set, qualified appointments, driving one-call closes, and managing their sales pipeline from initial contact through installation.

• Success in this role is directly tied to performance metrics, including close rates and monthly sales revenue, with significant earning potential through an uncapped commission structure.

• The position requires a self-motivated individual who can operate autonomously within their territory, leveraging company-provided marketing leads and support to achieve aggressive sales targets.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Design Consultant," the description clearly positions this as a direct sales role focused on closing high-value transactions, not a traditional design or consulting role. The emphasis is on sales acumen and closing ability.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct 2-4 qualified, pre-set in-home sales appointments daily, delivering confident, consultative presentations that emphasize value over price.

• Drive decisive buying outcomes by effectively closing sales, aiming for one-call closes whenever possible, and managing issued quotes through strategic follow-up.

• Own and manage the entire sales pipeline for your territory, ensuring accurate and timely updates in the CRM system to maintain high communication and pipeline management standards.

• Achieve and consistently surpass monthly sales revenue targets, with top performers generating $125,000-$150,000+ in monthly sales.

• Generate additional revenue through customer referrals, repeat business, and cultivating local partnerships to maximize personal compensation.

• Support adjacent territories and collaborate with the broader sales team as needed, embodying a team-oriented approach to achieve collective success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards direct sales activities, pipeline management, and revenue generation. The "design" aspect refers to understanding customer needs for outdoor living spaces and presenting tailored solutions, rather than architectural or interior design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a strong foundation in sales principles and customer consultation is implied.

Experience: 2-5+ years of high-ticket, consultative sales experience is required. Prior in-home sales experience is a significant advantage. Proven track record of consistently exceeding revenue goals in a commission-based environment is essential.

Required Skills:

• High-Ticket Consultative Sales: Ability to engage with homeowners, understand their needs for outdoor living enhancements, and present premium solutions effectively.

• One-Call Closing: Proficiency in guiding prospects through the sales cycle and securing commitments during a single appointment.

• CRM Pipeline Management: Expertise in using CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar) to track leads, manage opportunities, forecast sales, and maintain detailed customer records.

• Presentation & Persuasion Skills: Capability to deliver compelling, value-driven presentations and confidently overcome objections.

• Territory Management: Skills in planning and executing sales activities within a defined geographic area to maximize reach and conversion.

• Self-Motivation & Drive: Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and remain motivated in a performance-driven, commission-based role.

Preferred Skills:

• In-home sales experience.

• Experience in home improvement, construction, or related industries.

• Strong negotiation and objection-handling capabilities.

• Referral generation and relationship-building skills.

• Familiarity with sales forecasting and performance metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "closer's seat" and the requirement for 2-5+ years of high-ticket, consultative sales experience strongly suggests that candidates with a proven track record of closing significant deals will be prioritized over those with entry-level sales experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Sales Performance Metrics: Documented history of exceeding revenue targets, close rates, and average deal size. Quantifiable achievements are critical.

• Case Studies of Successful Consultations: Examples of how you've identified customer needs, presented solutions, overcome objections, and closed high-value deals. Focus on the consultative process.

• CRM Usage Examples: If possible, demonstrate understanding of pipeline stages, lead conversion tracking, and how CRM data informs sales strategy.

• Referral and Relationship Building Examples: Showcase instances where you've leveraged existing customer relationships or partnerships to drive new business.

Process Documentation:

• Sales Process Outline: Ability to articulate your personal sales process, from initial appointment to close and follow-up, highlighting key stages and decision points.

• Objection Handling Framework: A structured approach to identifying and effectively responding to common customer objections, particularly those related to price.

• Pipeline Management Strategy: Describe your methods for prioritizing leads, managing follow-ups, and forecasting sales accurately within your territory.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal "portfolio" in the traditional sense may not be required, candidates should be prepared to discuss their sales process, demonstrate their ability to manage a pipeline, and quantify their past successes with specific examples during the interview process. This is crucial for a role focused on performance and closing.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Base Salary (Training/Ramp-up): $80,000 - $90,000 annually (during the initial 10-week ramp-up period, following a 2-week paid training).

• Uncapped Commission (Post-Ramp-up): Top performers can earn $150,000 - $250,000+ annually. Average annual income for consultants not yet maximizing their territory is typically $80,000-$90,000.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

• Life Insurance

• Short-term Disability

• Accident Insurance

• 401(k) with a 6% company match

• $500 monthly car allowance

• Toll reimbursement

• Provision of Sales iPad, product samples, and professional measuring equipment.

Working Hours: Full-time, 5 days per week. Requires availability for weekend and evening sales appointments to accommodate customer schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation structure is heavily commission-based after an initial training and ramp-up period. The stated salary range for "DCs not yet maximizing their territory" ($80k-$90k) likely refers to the combined base and initial commission earnings during the ramp-up or early stages of territory development. The true earning potential lies in the uncapped commission, making strong closing skills paramount. Salary research for a high-performing, in-home sales consultant in Atlanta, GA, with this earning potential, aligns with the provided figures, especially considering the high-ticket nature of the products and the company's market leadership.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Building Products / Home Improvement / Window Coverings / Outdoor Living Solutions. SPF Screens & Awnings operates within the premium segment of the home improvement market, offering custom-designed and installed retractable awnings and motorized sunscreens.

Company Size: Part of the Hunter Douglas family, which is a large, global manufacturer. SPF Screens & Awnings itself appears to be a significant regional player, expanding into new markets, suggesting a growth-oriented and dynamic operational structure. The company emphasizes entrepreneurial spirit and a "hunger for success."

Founded: SPF Screens & Awnings has over 15 years of experience transforming outdoor spaces. Hunter Douglas itself has over 100 years of innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Sales team consists of Design Consultants who operate autonomously within their territories, supported by marketing for lead generation.

• There's a clear emphasis on collaboration, with an expectation for consultants to support neighboring territories when needed.

• The structure supports a "division of labor" where sales focuses on closing, while marketing, production, and installation are handled by other departments. Methodology:

• Value-Based Selling: Focus on presenting product benefits and solutions, not on price discounts.

• Performance-Driven: Metrics-centric approach with clear targets for close rates and revenue.

• Customer-Centric: Transforming outdoor spaces and providing premium solutions for homeowners.

• Team Support: Encouraging mutual support among sales representatives and clear division of responsibilities between sales and operations/production.

Company Website: https://www.hunterdouglas.com/ (for Hunter Douglas brand) and likely a specific SPF Screens & Awnings site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "driven, intelligent, creative, and entrepreneurial," with a focus on "challenging and accelerated opportunities for growth." This suggests an environment that rewards high performers and offers pathways for advancement, particularly for those who can demonstrate consistent sales success and ownership of their territory.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level individual contributor role within the sales function, specifically focused on direct, in-home sales. It's positioned as a "closer's seat" for experienced professionals, not an entry-level or training position.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, Design Consultants likely report to a Sales Manager or Regional Sales Director who oversees territory performance and provides coaching.

Operations Impact: The Design Consultant's direct impact is on revenue generation and market penetration within their assigned territory. Their success contributes significantly to the company's growth and market leadership in retractable awnings and sunscreens.

Growth Opportunities:

• Territory Expansion/Ownership: The role offers the opportunity to "own your territory like it's your own business," implying potential for significant income growth as the territory matures and repeat/referral business increases.

• Advanced Sales Roles: Proven success could lead to opportunities in sales leadership (e.g., Sales Manager, Team Lead), mentoring new consultants, or moving into roles with broader responsibilities within the Hunter Douglas network.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in high-ticket home improvement sales and consultative selling can open doors to other premium product sales roles.

• Cross-Territory Leadership: Supporting and potentially managing other territories could be a stepping stone to regional management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly mentions "challenging and accelerated opportunities for growth," suggesting a career path for top performers. The emphasis on "owning your territory" and the uncapped commission structure indicates that financial growth is a primary driver, with opportunities for advancement into leadership roles for those who excel.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is primarily a field-based sales role. While there might be a regional office for training or team meetings, the day-to-day work is conducted in customers' homes within the assigned territory.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Atlanta, GA, and requires travel within the assigned territory, which may encompass specific neighborhoods or surrounding areas.

Workspace Context:

• The "workspace" is the customer's home, requiring professionalism, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills.

• Sales professionals are equipped with a Sales iPad, product samples, and measuring equipment, facilitating in-home presentations and accurate quoting.

• Collaboration occurs through team meetings, support for colleagues, and interaction with internal departments responsible for marketing, production, and installation.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 5 days per week, with the flexibility and necessity to schedule appointments during evenings and weekends to accommodate customer availability. This requires strong personal time management and discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is highly independent and customer-facing. The "hybrid" work arrangement likely refers to the blend of in-home appointments and potential administrative or follow-up work from a home office or regional hub, rather than a typical office-based hybrid model.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your resume and a brief phone call to assess basic qualifications and sales experience.

• Sales Assessment/Interview: In-depth interview focusing on sales methodology, experience with high-ticket sales, objection handling, and closing techniques. You may be asked to role-play scenarios.

• Field Ride-Along (Potential): Some companies may arrange for candidates to shadow a top performer or conduct a mock appointment to assess in-field capabilities.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a Sales Manager or Director to discuss territory, compensation expectations, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: Be ready to present specific numbers: revenue generated, close rates, deal sizes, number of appointments run, and growth in territory sales over time.

• Structure Your Sales Story: Prepare to walk through a successful sales scenario from initial contact to closed deal, highlighting your consultative approach, problem-solving, and closing strategies.

• Demonstrate Process: Explain your methodology for lead qualification, needs assessment, presentation, objection handling, and follow-up.

• CRM Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your experience with CRM systems and how you leverage them for pipeline management and forecasting.

• Focus on Value: Emphasize how you articulate value and justify premium pricing, rather than relying on discounts.

Challenge Preparation:

• Objection Handling Scenarios: Practice responding to common objections like "It's too expensive," "I need to think about it," or "Can you do better on the price?"

• Value Proposition Articulation: Be ready to clearly explain the benefits and unique selling propositions of premium retractable awnings and sunscreens.

• Closing Techniques: Prepare to demonstrate your ability to ask for the sale confidently and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a "closer's seat," the interview process will heavily scrutinize your sales skills, closing ability, and performance history. Be prepared to demonstrate tangible results and a robust, repeatable sales process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM System: Essential for managing leads, appointments, pipeline, customer data, and sales forecasting. Experience with platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, or industry-specific CRMs is highly valuable.

• Sales Presentation Tools: Likely involves using a tablet (provided iPad) with product catalogs, visualization software, and quoting tools.

• Measuring Equipment: Professional tools for accurate on-site measurements.

• Communication Tools: Standard office suite (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace) for emails, scheduling, and reporting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales performance reports generated from the CRM will be key. Understanding how to interpret close rates, sales cycle length, and revenue per appointment is important. CRM & Automation:

• While the role is focused on sales, understanding how CRM automation (e.g., automated follow-up reminders) can support efficiency would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with CRM systems is explicitly mentioned as a requirement for maintaining pipeline management and communication standards. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with specific CRM platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Performance: A strong emphasis on achieving and exceeding sales targets.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encouraging ownership of one's territory and results.

• Customer Focus: Delivering premium solutions and transforming outdoor living spaces.

• Teamwork & Support: Collaboration and mutual assistance among sales consultants.

• Integrity: Selling premium products based on value, not price manipulation.

Collaboration Style:

• Independent Field Work: Consultants operate autonomously in their territories.

• Shared Support: Willingness to support colleagues and share best practices.

• Cross-Functional Reliance: Sales relies heavily on marketing for lead generation and production/installation for fulfillment. Effective communication with these teams is crucial.

• Performance-Oriented Feedback: Direct feedback on sales metrics and close rates is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is described as "performance-driven" and valuing "hunger for success." This indicates an environment where results are celebrated and compensated, and where individuals are expected to take initiative and ownership.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Ticket Sales Objections: Overcoming customer resistance to premium pricing requires strong value articulation and confidence.

• Performance Pressure: The commission-based, uncapped structure means income is directly tied to sales performance, requiring consistent high achievement.

• Territory Management: Effectively covering a territory, managing a demanding appointment schedule, and ensuring follow-up requires excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Balancing Sales & Follow-up: The need to close deals in one visit while also managing pipeline and follow-up for others requires efficient workflow.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Intensive Sales Training: Two weeks of paid, structured training focused on product knowledge, sales techniques, and CRM usage.

• Mentorship from Top Performers: The company culture encourages learning from successful colleagues.

• Continuous Skill Development: Opportunities to hone consultative selling, negotiation, and closing skills in a high-value market.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance into sales leadership or other roles within the Hunter Douglas organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly states "This is not a training role. This is a closer's seat." However, they do offer significant initial paid training and a ramp-up period with salary plus commission, indicating a commitment to developing their sales force to perform at a high level.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to a high-ticket, in-home sales consultation." (Focus on needs assessment, value proposition, and closing.)

• "How do you handle objections related to price when selling premium products?" (Demonstrate objection-handling framework and value reinforcement.)

• "Walk me through your process for managing a sales pipeline and forecasting revenue." (Highlight CRM usage, follow-up strategies, and data-driven decision-making.)

• "Tell me about a time you failed to close a deal. What did you learn from it?" (Show self-awareness, accountability, and ability to learn from setbacks.)

• "How do you generate referrals or repeat business from satisfied clients?" (Illustrate relationship-building and customer satisfaction strategies.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Hunter Douglas and SPF Screens & Awnings?" (Research the company's products, market position, and values.)

• "Why are you interested in a commission-based sales role?" (Align your motivations with the performance-driven nature of the job.)

• "How do you stay motivated in a role that relies heavily on self-discipline?" (Provide examples of your self-starting abilities and drive.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Everything: Prepare specific numbers (revenue, close rate, deal size) for your most impressive achievements.

• Tell a Story: Structure your examples like mini-case studies: Problem (customer need), Solution (your consultative approach), Result (the sale and customer satisfaction).

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate how you achieve results, not just that you achieve them. Explain your sales methodology.

• Value Articulation: Be ready to explain how you communicate the value of premium products to justify their cost.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared for behavioral and situational interview questions that probe your sales skills, resilience, and ability to perform in a high-pressure, commission-driven environment. Quantifiable results and a well-defined sales process are key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Hunter Douglas careers site.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight specific achievements in high-ticket sales, consultative selling, closing, and revenue generation. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., "one-call close," "pipeline management," "consultative sales").

• Portfolio Preparation: Mentally prepare to discuss your sales process, past successes with quantifiable results, and how you handle common sales objections, especially regarding price.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with SPF Screens & Awnings, Hunter Douglas products, and the competitive landscape of outdoor living solutions.

• Practice Interview Responses: Rehearse answers to common sales interview questions, focusing on demonstrating your closing ability and consultative approach.

⚠️ 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.