Showroom Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Showroom Design Consultant

Company: Jaeckle Wholesale Inc

Location: Lenexa, Kansas, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Interior Design / Showroom Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-09

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Collaborate directly with customers to understand their unique personal style, functional needs, and budget for interior design projects, specifically focusing on flooring and surfacing products.
• Utilize creative instincts and design expertise to recommend and select appropriate products from the showroom inventory, ensuring alignment with customer vision and technical requirements.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for customers, providing exceptional customer service throughout the design and product selection process, from initial consultation to order finalization.
• Act as a liaison between customers, manufacturer vendors, installers, and the internal support team to ensure seamless execution of projects and a positive overall customer experience.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Greet and engage customers visiting the showroom, creating a welcoming and professional environment for design consultations.
• Conduct detailed consultations to assess customer design preferences, project requirements, and budget constraints for flooring and surfacing materials.
• Guide customers through the showroom displays, showcasing product features, benefits, and design possibilities while providing expert advice on material selection, color palettes, and design trends.
• Prepare accurate product quotes, process orders, and provide immediate feedback regarding product availability, pricing, and lead times.
• Coordinate with manufacturer vendors, internal support teams, and potentially installers to facilitate the smooth ordering and installation process, addressing any customer inquiries or concerns.
• Build and maintain relationships with local realtors, builders, designers, and other professionals, acting as a resource for their flooring and surfacing needs and providing excellent service during product pickups.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and visually appealing showroom environment, ensuring product displays are current and effectively showcase the available inventory.
• Stay updated on industry trends, new product introductions, and design best practices relevant to flooring and surfacing materials.
• Utilize design programs and company systems to manage customer information, track orders, and generate reports as needed.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a degree or certification in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field is often preferred for roles requiring design expertise.

Experience: 3-5 years of interior design experience, specifically with a focus on material selection and client consultation. 2-5 years of customer service experience, preferably in a retail or showroom environment, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and client management capabilities. Prior experience in sales, particularly within the flooring or home improvement industry, is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in Interior Design, including space planning, material selection, color theory, and understanding of design principles.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to build rapport, understand customer needs, and provide personalized design solutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) for communication, quoting, and administrative tasks.
• Familiarity with design programs and software used for presentations, mood boards, or basic renderings (e.g., Canva, SketchUp, or similar tools relevant to interior finishes).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with customers, vendors, and internal teams.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple customer interactions and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced showroom environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for managing orders, quotes, and customer information accurately.
• Creativity and the ability to think outside the box to develop unique and functional design solutions for customers.
• Proactive and goal-oriented approach to meeting customer needs and contributing to showroom success.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience as a Showroom Design Consultant or in a similar client-facing design role.
• Experience with flooring, tile, countertops, or other surfacing materials, including knowledge of product specifications, installation methods, and maintenance.
• Sales experience with a track record of achieving targets and building lasting customer relationships.
• Familiarity with CRM systems or customer management tools.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• While a formal portfolio in the traditional sense (like for graphic design) might not be explicitly required, be prepared to showcase examples of past interior design projects you've worked on.
• Focus on projects where you were involved in material selection for flooring, surfacing, or other interior finishes.
• Highlight your process for understanding client needs and translating them into tangible design choices.
• If possible, include before and after photos or renderings that demonstrate the impact of your design recommendations.

Process Documentation:

• Be ready to discuss your design process, from initial client consultation and needs assessment to product selection and coordination.
• Explain how you approach understanding a client's style, functional requirements, and budget constraints.
• Describe your methods for researching and selecting appropriate materials, considering factors like durability, aesthetics, and suitability for the space.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $20 - $23 per hour

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical Insurance coverage to support employee health and well-being.
• Dental Insurance plan for oral health care needs.
• Vision Insurance plan for eye care coverage.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan to help employees save for their future, potentially with company matching contributions (details to be confirmed).
• Paid Time Off (PTO) for vacation, sick days, and personal time, providing work-life balance.
• Product Discount on company offerings, allowing employees to utilize and experience the products they represent.
• Commitment to a safe and clean work environment, prioritizing employee safety and comfort.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically involving 40 hours per week. Specific daily schedule may vary based on showroom hours and customer traffic, potentially including some weekend availability.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Wholesale Distribution, specializing in flooring and surfacing products. This industry context means the design focus is heavily centered on material knowledge, application, and working with trade professionals (builders, designers, contractors) as well as retail customers.

Company Size: 51-200 employees (LinkedIn), with approximately 145 employees company-wide. This suggests a mid-sized, family-owned business environment where individual contributions are likely visible, and there may be a close-knit team dynamic within the showroom.

Founded: 1958. As a long-standing family-owned business, Jaeckle Distributors likely has a stable foundation and a culture built on established values.

Team Structure:

• The Showroom Design Consultant likely reports to a Showroom Manager or Branch Manager.
• Collaboration will be essential with other showroom staff, warehouse personnel for product pickups, and potentially sales representatives who work with trade accounts.
• As part of a family-owned business, there may be a less formal hierarchy compared to larger corporations.

Methodology:

• The core methodology revolves around client consultation, understanding design needs, and guiding product selection based on aesthetic, functional, and budgetary requirements.
• Emphasis is placed on providing excellent customer service throughout the design and purchasing process.
• Collaboration with vendors is key for product information, availability, and special orders.

Company Website: http://www.jaeckledistributors.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role appears to be an intermediate-level position for an Interior Design professional with a focus on client interaction and product sales. It requires prior design experience and customer service skills.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Showroom Manager or Branch Manager, overseeing showroom operations and sales performance.

Design Impact: The design impact is direct and client-facing, focused on helping customers make informed design decisions for their spaces using the company's products. Success is measured by customer satisfaction and potentially sales performance related to design consultations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential advancement to a Senior Showroom Design Consultant role with increased responsibility or specialization in specific product categories.
• Opportunities to take on mentorship roles for newer design consultants.
• Possible transition into a sales role focused on trade professionals or key accounts, leveraging design expertise.
• Potential for management opportunities within the showroom or branch operations over time.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: The primary work environment is a physical showroom located within the Jaeckle Distributors facility in Lenexa, KS. This is an on-site role with no remote work option.

Office Location(s): 16540 W 116th Street, Lenexa, KS 66219, US. This location is part of the company's distribution network, suggesting the showroom is likely attached to or near a warehouse facility.

Design Workspace Context:

• The workspace is the showroom itself, designed to display flooring and surfacing products effectively.
• It is a client-facing environment requiring a professional demeanor and presentation.
• Collaboration spaces will be within the showroom, facilitating discussions with customers and colleagues.
• Access to product samples, catalogs, and potentially design software or tools will be available within the showroom.

Work Schedule: Full-time, likely adhering to standard business hours for the showroom, which may include some weekend hours to accommodate customer visits.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening interview (likely HR or hiring manager) to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Interview(s) with the Showroom Manager and potentially other team members to discuss design experience, customer service skills, and product knowledge.
• Be prepared to discuss your interior design process and provide examples of past projects where you selected materials like flooring or surfacing.
• A potential practical assessment or discussion around a design scenario to evaluate problem-solving and design recommendation skills.
• Final interview with higher-level management to assess overall fit with the company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• While a formal portfolio might not be requested upfront, have examples of your design work readily available to discuss during interviews.
• Focus on case studies or examples that showcase your ability to select appropriate materials based on client needs and project requirements.
• Be prepared to articulate your design rationale and the impact of your material selections on the overall space.
• Highlight any experience with flooring or surfacing products specifically.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would handle a typical customer consultation in the showroom.
• Think about how you would address common customer challenges related to material selection, budget constraints, or design preferences.
• Prepare to discuss how you stay updated on design trends and product knowledge relevant to flooring and surfacing.

ATS Keywords: Interior Design, Showroom Design, Design Consultant, Customer Service, Client Consultation, Material Selection, Flooring, Surfacing, Tile, Wood Flooring, Laminate, Vinyl Flooring, Carpet, Design Programs, MS Office, Sales, Relationship Building, Communication, Creativity, Organization, Attention to Detail, Multitasking, Problem Solving, Retail, Home Improvement, Product Knowledge, Quoting, Order Processing, Showroom Operations, Visual Merchandising, Design Principles, Color Theory, Space Planning, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Trade Professionals, Builders, Remodelers, Designers, Account Management.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Likely utilize design programs for creating mood boards, simple renderings, or presentations to help customers visualize design concepts and material selections. Specific tools may vary but could include user-friendly platforms like Canva or basic rendering software.
• Access to vendor-specific visualization tools or software if provided by product manufacturers.
• Physical samples and catalogs are primary design tools in a showroom environment.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Internal communication tools (e.g., email, potentially a company intranet or messaging system) for collaborating with colleagues and other departments.
• Order processing system for submitting customer orders and tracking inventory.
• CRM system (potentially) for managing customer interactions and history.

Research & Testing:

• Access to vendor websites and product literature for detailed specifications and technical information.
• Industry publications and online resources for researching design trends and new products.
• Customer feedback and sales data for understanding product popularity and customer preferences.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Customer-centric approach: Prioritizing understanding and meeting the unique design needs and preferences of each customer.
• Creative problem-solving: Utilizing design expertise and product knowledge to find innovative solutions for customer spaces and challenges.
• Relationship building: Fostering strong connections with customers and trade professionals based on trust and excellent service.
• Product expertise: Valuing deep knowledge of the flooring and surfacing products offered, including their characteristics, applications, and limitations.

Collaboration Style:

• Collaborative within the showroom team to support each other and share knowledge.
• Cross-functional collaboration with warehouse staff for order fulfillment and product pickups.
• Interaction with sales representatives who handle trade accounts, potentially coordinating on shared clients.
• Communication with vendor representatives for product information and support.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Balancing customer design preferences with practical considerations like budget, durability, and installation requirements.
• Staying current with the vast and ever-changing array of flooring and surfacing products and design trends.
• Managing multiple customer interactions and projects simultaneously, requiring strong multitasking and organizational skills.
• Educating customers on technical aspects of products and installation while maintaining a focus on design aesthetics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Ongoing training on new products and materials offered by Jaeckle Distributors and their vendors.
• Opportunities to attend industry trade shows or workshops focused on flooring, surfacing, or interior design trends.
• Learning from experienced colleagues and managers within the company.
• Developing deeper expertise in specific product categories or design styles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• "Describe your process for a typical client consultation, from initial greeting to product selection." Be prepared to walk through the steps you take to understand client needs and guide their choices, using specific examples.
• "How do you approach helping a client who has a strong design vision but a limited budget?" Discuss strategies for finding creative solutions and suggesting alternative materials or approaches.
• "Can you share an example of a challenging design project you worked on and how you overcame the obstacles?" Focus on your problem-solving skills and ability to deliver a successful outcome.

Company Culture Questions:

• "What aspects of working in a showroom environment appeal to you?" Highlight your enjoyment of client interaction, working with physical products, and contributing to tangible design outcomes.
• "How do you stay organized and manage multiple client interactions simultaneously?" Provide examples of your organizational methods and ability to prioritize tasks in a busy environment.
• "How do you build rapport with customers and ensure a positive experience?" Discuss your communication style, active listening skills, and commitment to excellent customer service.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• If you have a digital portfolio or photos of past projects, be prepared to share and discuss them. Focus on projects where you made key material selections.
• For each project, briefly explain the client's needs, your design approach, the materials you selected (especially flooring/surfacing), and the final outcome.
• Highlight your role in the project and the impact of your design decisions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Review your resume to ensure it clearly highlights your interior design experience, particularly with material selection and client consultation, and your customer service skills.
• Prepare to discuss examples of your design work during the interview process, focusing on projects involving flooring or surfacing if possible.
• Research Jaeckle Distributors to understand their product lines, target market, and company values, demonstrating your interest and alignment during the interview.
• Practice discussing your design process and how you approach client interactions in a showroom setting.