Design Consultant - Entry Level

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant - Entry Level

Company: Floor & Decor

Location: Roseville, CA

Job Type: OTHER

Category: Design Consultation / Retail Design

Date Posted: June 11, 2025

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Act as the initial design point of contact for customers within a retail environment, guiding them through hard surface flooring and accessory selections.
• Provide design consultation services, helping customers define their project needs and visualize design solutions using tile, wood, stone, and various accessories.
• Engage with customers on the sales floor and conduct scheduled design appointments to provide detailed product recommendations and design layout advice.
• Support store sales objectives by leveraging design expertise to maximize project sales and enhance the overall customer design experience.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Greet and assist walk-in customers on the sales floor, providing initial design support and product information for their projects.
• Schedule and conduct personalized design appointments to understand customer needs, preferences, and project scope in detail.
• Offer expert advice on the selection of tile, wood, stone, and accessory products, considering color palettes, textures, patterns, and overall design aesthetics for residential and commercial projects.
• Design and propose comprehensive, functional, and visually appealing flooring and accessory solutions tailored to individual customer requirements.
• Manage multiple customer projects concurrently, ensuring timely communication, accurate order details, and thorough follow-up throughout all project phases.
• Collaborate closely with store leadership and fellow employees to facilitate project management from initial inquiry through to installation, contributing to individual and store sales targets.
• Utilize and maintain proficiency in company-specific design and customer relationship management (CRM) applications, such as Salesforce and proprietary scheduling/project tools.
• Actively support and promote company initiatives, goals, and best practices within the store environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED required. While not explicitly stated, a background or interest in design, interior decorating, or related fields would be beneficial for understanding customer needs and product application in design contexts.

Experience: Minimum of 1 year of experience in retail or customer service is required. Internal candidates need at least 6 months with Floor and Decor. Experience in a sales environment or a role involving customer consultation and product recommendation is highly relevant.

Required Skills:

• Strong customer service skills with the ability to engage and assist diverse customer needs.
• Basic mathematical proficiency for measurements, calculations, and understanding product quantities.
• Ability to multi-task effectively and manage time in a dynamic, fast-paced retail environment.
• Basic computer literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite for communication and administrative tasks.
• Self-motivation and the ability to work independently while also contributing to team goals.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in design-related fields or customer-facing roles involving design recommendations.
• Familiarity with design principles, color theory, and material applications in interior spaces.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems or design-specific software for managing customer interactions and projects.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for building rapport with customers and collaborating with colleagues.
• An understanding of hard surface flooring products (tile, wood, stone, laminate, vinyl) and their application in various design styles.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• While a traditional design portfolio for complex projects is not explicitly required for this entry-level role, candidates should be prepared to discuss examples of how they have helped customers visualize or solve problems using product recommendations in past roles.
• Be ready to articulate your approach to understanding customer needs and translating them into product selections.
• Prepare to discuss any personal projects or examples where you have applied design principles (color, texture, pattern) in a practical setting.
• Focus on showcasing your ability to listen, understand requirements, and provide helpful, product-based solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Describe your process for engaging a customer, understanding their project goals, and guiding them through product choices.
• Explain how you would manage multiple customer inquiries or design appointments simultaneously.
• Discuss your approach to following up with customers and ensuring their satisfaction throughout their project journey.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $16.50 - $20.70 per hour. This range is provided in the original job description. For Roseville, CA, this range aligns with entry-level retail and customer service positions, potentially reflecting additional value placed on design aptitude and sales contribution.

Benefits:

• Opportunities for performance-based bonuses at various levels within the company.
• Clear pathways for career advancement within the organization, potentially into more senior design or sales roles.
• Potential for relocation assistance for opportunities in other company locations.
• Participation in a 401k retirement savings plan with a discretionary company match.
• Opportunity to purchase company stock through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Referral bonus program for bringing in new talent.
• Paid time off including a personal holiday and Volunteer Time Off.
• Comprehensive health insurance options including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance (subject to eligibility).

Working Hours: Standard retail operating hours are listed (Monday-Friday 7 AM - 8 PM, Saturday 8 AM - 7 PM, Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM). As a full-time role, expect a schedule that aligns with these hours, likely including weekends and some evenings to accommodate customer availability. Flexibility may be required to manage design appointments effectively.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Specialty Retailer of Hard Surface Flooring. Floor & Decor operates in the home improvement and construction supply industry, specifically focusing on tile, wood, stone, and related accessories. This market requires design professionals to understand product specifications, installation considerations, and current trends in interior finishes.

Company Size: Over 10,000 employees globally, with strong growth indicated by their Fortune 100 ranking. This suggests a large, established company with significant resources and potential for structured career development.

Founded: 2000. With over two decades in operation, Floor & Decor has a history of expansion and market presence in the flooring industry.

Team Structure:

• Design Consultants likely work closely with other sales associates and store management within a specific retail location.
• The role involves collaboration with various store departments to ensure smooth project execution, from product selection to pickup/delivery.
• Reporting structure is likely to be to a Design Manager or Store Manager, overseeing the design services within the store.

Methodology:

• The design process involves engaging with customers to understand their needs (discovery).
• Applying product knowledge and design principles to recommend suitable materials and layouts (ideation and selection).
• Utilizing company tools to manage project details and communicate with customers and colleagues (project management).

Company Website: http://careers.flooranddecor.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is positioned as an Entry-Level Design Consultant role. It serves as a foundational position to gain experience in customer-facing design consultation, product knowledge, and retail sales within the hard surface flooring industry.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Design Manager or Store Management within the retail location, providing guidance on design best practices, sales strategies, and customer service standards.

Design Impact: Design Consultants directly impact customer satisfaction and sales by helping customers make informed and aesthetically pleasing product choices for their projects. Their design recommendations influence the final look and feel of customer spaces.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to more senior Design Consultant roles with increased responsibility or specialization.
• Opportunities to move into Design Manager positions overseeing a team of consultants.
• Potential to transition into other roles within the company, such as Pro Services or Sales Management.
• Skill development in areas like advanced design software, project management, and sales techniques.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Retail Store Environment. The primary workspace is the sales floor and potentially a dedicated design consultation area within the Floor & Decor store.

Office Location(s): 150 Rocklin - CA (Roseville, CA area). This is a specific retail store location.

Design Workspace Context:

• The workspace involves interacting with customers on the retail floor, surrounded by product displays and samples.
• There may be a designated design area with tables, sample boards, and computer access for design consultations.
• Collaboration with colleagues occurs within the store environment, including sales associates, warehouse staff, and management.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with hours aligning with the store's operating schedule, including weekends and possibly some evenings. The schedule will likely be structured to cover peak customer traffic times and scheduled design appointments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial application screening based on resume and experience.
• Potential phone screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.
• In-person interview(s) with store management or Design Manager.
• Interviews will likely focus on customer service skills, problem-solving abilities, communication style, and potentially scenarios related to assisting customers with product selection and design questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• As a formal design portfolio isn't the focus, prepare to discuss examples of how you've helped customers in previous roles, especially those involving product recommendations or problem-solving related to their needs.
• If you have any personal projects or examples showcasing an understanding of color, material, or space planning, be prepared to briefly mention them.
• Focus on articulating your process for engaging with customers and understanding their design goals.
• Highlight your ability to listen actively and provide helpful, tailored suggestions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical scenarios involving customer interactions and design challenges within a retail setting.
• Practice explaining how you would guide a customer through selecting flooring and accessories for a specific room or project.
• Prepare to discuss how you handle challenging customer situations or manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

ATS Keywords: Customer Service, Retail, Design Consultation, Sales, Hard Surface Flooring, Tile, Wood, Stone, Vinyl, Laminate, Interior Design, Product Selection, Customer Engagement, Communication, Multi-tasking, Project Management, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Relationship Building, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Clienteling, Visual Merchandising.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Company-specific design applications (mentioned as proprietary Online Design Appointment Scheduler and MyProject) for managing appointments and project details. Proficiency in using these internal tools will be crucial.
• Salesforce (CRM) for managing customer information, interactions, and sales pipeline. Experience or ability to quickly learn CRM systems is important.
• Basic computer software like Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) for communication, documentation, and potentially simple calculations or presentations.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Internal communication tools (email, possibly internal messaging systems) for coordinating with store management, sales associates, and potentially warehouse staff.
• Proprietary project management tools for tracking customer projects and ensuring smooth handoffs for order fulfillment and installation coordination.

Research & Testing:

• Access to company product catalogs, sample materials, and potentially online resources for product information and design inspiration.
• Interaction with customers provides direct feedback for understanding design preferences and product performance.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Customer-Centricity: Placing the customer's needs and project goals at the forefront of every interaction and design recommendation.
• Product Expertise: Valuing deep knowledge of flooring products and their applications to provide informed design advice.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with colleagues across the store to ensure a seamless customer experience and achieve team goals.
• Sales Orientation: Recognizing the role of design consultation in driving sales and contributing to the store's success.

Collaboration Style:

• Involves close collaboration with fellow Design Consultants, Sales Associates, and Store Management.
• Requires effective communication to coordinate design appointments, project details, and customer needs.
• May involve informal design critiques or discussions with colleagues to share ideas and best practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Balancing design aesthetics with practical considerations like budget, installation requirements, and product availability.
• Handling multiple customer inquiries and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Staying updated on the wide range of flooring products and accessories offered and their suitability for different applications and design styles.
• Effectively communicating design ideas and product benefits to customers with varying levels of design knowledge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Extensive training on Floor & Decor's product offerings, including technical specifications, design applications, and installation methods.
• Opportunities to develop sales and customer service skills through ongoing training and on-the-job experience.
• Potential to learn and utilize design software and tools relevant to flooring layout and visualization.
• Exposure to various customer projects, providing practical experience in applying design principles to real-world scenarios.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Describe your process for understanding a customer's needs and helping them select products for a home improvement project. Prepare with specific examples from past retail or customer service roles.
• How would you approach a customer who is unsure about their design preferences or is overwhelmed by the product selection? Focus on your listening and guidance skills.
• Discuss a time you had to solve a problem for a customer related to a product or their project. Highlight your problem-solving approach and customer resolution skills.

Company Culture Questions:

• What interests you about working for Floor & Decor specifically? Research the company's values, history, and focus on customer service and product selection.
• How do you approach working collaboratively with a team to achieve shared goals? Provide examples of teamwork from your experience.
• How do you handle working in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands? Discuss your ability to prioritize and manage your time effectively.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Be prepared to verbally walk through a hypothetical scenario where you assist a customer with a flooring design project. Detail your steps from initial engagement to product recommendation.
• If you have any personal projects or examples of design application, be ready to briefly explain your approach and the outcome, focusing on the problem you solved or the aesthetic you achieved.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in retail, customer service, or roles involving product interaction and customer assistance. Include keywords like "customer service," "sales," "product knowledge," and "communication."
• Prepare to discuss examples from your past where you have successfully helped customers or solved problems, demonstrating your interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Research Floor & Decor to understand their business model, product offerings, and focus on customer service.
• Practice articulating your interest in design and how you see yourself applying your skills in a retail design consultation role.