50950 - DESIGN CONSULTANT

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: 50950 - Design Consultant
Company: Bassett Furniture
Location: Oklahoma City, OK, United States
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Sales / Retail Operations
Date Posted: 2025-07-08T04:00:00
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 Years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on leveraging interior design passion and exceptional sales skills to build long-term customer relationships and drive revenue growth within a retail showroom environment.
• Key responsibilities include conducting in-depth design consultations, understanding customer needs to translate them into successful product and design solutions, and managing the sales process from initial engagement to closing.
• Success in this position hinges on a strong ability to coordinate colors and textures, articulate design concepts, and provide personalized customer experiences that reflect their lifestyle and investment range.
• The position emphasizes a consultative sales approach, aiming to maximize selling opportunities through expert advice and a deep understanding of furniture construction and current design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and requirements clearly indicate a sales-focused role within a retail environment, emphasizing revenue generation through design expertise and customer relationship management. The operations context here relates to the sales process, customer engagement workflows, and showroom management from a sales perspective.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Engage customers proactively to understand their design needs, preferences, lifestyle, and budget constraints.
• Conduct comprehensive interior design consultations, both in-store and potentially at customer residences, to develop personalized design solutions.
• Utilize deep product knowledge, including furniture construction, materials, and design styles, to educate customers and guide their selection process.
• Present and sell product and design solutions effectively, translating customer wants into tangible design choices and purchase decisions.
• Build and maintain a strong, loyal client base through exceptional service, follow-up, and relationship-selling techniques.
• Actively manage the sales pipeline, from lead generation and initial contact through to closing sales and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with team members to maintain an appealing and organized showroom environment that enhances the customer shopping experience.
• Drive personal sales performance to meet or exceed established sales goals and revenue targets.
• Participate actively in ongoing training programs to enhance product knowledge, design skills, and sales methodologies.
• Leverage technology and virtual tools, such as virtual appointments and live chats, to connect with and serve customers effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of consultative sales, design expertise, and client relationship management. For operations professionals, understanding the process flow of customer engagement, sales cycle management, and clienteling is crucial. The "makeover" aspect implies a consultative process that goes beyond simple product sales.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a background or strong interest in Interior Design, Fashion Merchandising, or a related creative field is highly beneficial.
• Proficiency in computer applications is required, suggesting familiarity with CRM systems, design software (even basic visualization tools), and general office productivity suites.

Experience:

• Proven track record of success in sales, particularly in a commission-based environment, is a key requirement.
• Experience in retail sales, furniture sales, or interior design consulting is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to build and nurture long-term customer relationships is essential for success in this role.

Required Skills:

• Passion for Design: A genuine enthusiasm for interior design, color theory, and creating aesthetically pleasing spaces.
• Sales Acumen: Proven ability to meet and exceed sales goals, driven by strong selling and closing techniques.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities for engaging with customers and colleagues.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to connect with a diverse range of customers, build rapport, and foster trust.
• Color and Texture Coordination: A keen eye for discerning and coordinating colors, fabrics, and textures to create harmonious design schemes.
• Self-Motivation: Proactive and driven to take initiative, manage time effectively, and pursue sales opportunities independently.
• Customer Engagement: Skill in actively listening to customers, understanding their needs, and translating them into design solutions.
• Computer Proficiency: Competence in using computers for various tasks, including CRM, order processing, and virtual client interactions.

Preferred Skills:

• Clientele Development: Experience in actively building and managing a personal client list.
• Polished Image & Professionalism: Maintaining a professional appearance and conduct befitting a design consultant.
• Design Software Familiarity: While not explicitly stated, familiarity with design visualization tools could be advantageous.
• Virtual Sales Techniques: Experience conducting sales consultations and client interactions remotely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "proven track record of success in sales" and "desire to work in a commissioned sales environment" strongly indicates that sales performance metrics and commission-based compensation are central to this role. For operations professionals, understanding sales funnel optimization and commission structures is relevant.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to translate customer needs into successful design outcomes. While a formal "portfolio" might not be explicitly required for application, the interview process will likely assess design sensibility and sales process understanding.
• The ability to articulate how they have previously identified customer needs and provided solutions is crucial, even if presented through sales success stories rather than visual design projects.
• Demonstrating an understanding of how to manage a sales process, from initial contact to closing, is key. This includes showcasing how they handle customer objections and build value.
• The role requires creating and presenting product and design solutions, indicating a need to showcase how they effectively communicate and "sell" concepts.

Process Documentation:

• While not a "process documentation" role in the traditional operations sense, candidates should be prepared to discuss their sales process, how they manage client relationships, and how they approach design consultations.
• Understanding how to efficiently manage customer interactions, from initial inquiry to order placement and follow-up, is important.
• The ability to articulate how they learn about new products, design trends, and sales techniques shows a commitment to process improvement in their own professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "portfolio" aspect for this role is less about traditional operations process documentation and more about demonstrating sales success, design intuition, and client management capabilities. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their sales methodologies and customer engagement strategies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided information, the potential income for experienced Bassett Design Consultants averages $70,000-$105,000 per year, with top writers earning up to $135,000 per year. This is a commission-based compensation plan.

Benefits:

• Paid training
• Health/Dental/Vision coverage
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Tuition assistance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Generous Employee Discounts on Bassett Furniture
• Work in a State-of-the-Art Showroom
• Opportunity for growth and advancement within the company

Working Hours: The role requires willingness to work weekends and holidays, typical for a retail environment. The implied working hours are full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, but subject to retail operational needs including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation structure is heavily commission-based, which is a critical factor for candidates to consider. The salary range provided ($70k-$135k+) reflects the potential for high performers in a sales-driven role. The "working hours" are standard for retail, requiring flexibility around peak shopping times.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Furniture Retail / Home Furnishings. Bassett Furniture has a long-standing heritage dating back to 1902, positioning itself as a reputable and innovative player in the home furnishings market. Company Size: Bassett Furniture Industries is a publicly traded company with a significant presence, suggesting a structured corporate environment with established processes and a substantial employee base. Founded: 1902. This long history implies a stable company with deep roots in craftsmanship and customer service, which likely influences its culture towards quality and long-term relationships.

Team Structure:

• Design Consultants typically operate within a showroom team, reporting to a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager.
• Collaboration is expected with other sales associates, design consultants, and potentially support staff responsible for order processing or customer service.
• Cross-functional interaction may involve design teams for trend insights, marketing for promotional activities, and operations for inventory and delivery coordination.

Methodology:

• The company promotes a "relationship selling" methodology, focusing on understanding and catering to individual customer needs and lifestyle.
• Design consultations and "makeovers" are central to their approach, emphasizing a consultative rather than transactional sales process.
• Continuous learning and development are encouraged through structured training programs, including interior design certification.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and focus on quality and customer relationships suggest a culture that values expertise, dedication, and building lasting connections. For sales operations professionals, understanding how this culture translates into customer journey mapping and sales process design is key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a front-line sales and design position within the retail operations of Bassett Furniture. It's an individual contributor role focused on direct customer interaction and sales generation.

Reporting Structure: Design Consultants typically report to a Showroom Manager or Sales Manager, who oversees daily operations, sales performance, and team development within a specific retail location.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is direct revenue generation through sales. Success contributes to the overall financial performance of the showroom and the company. By fostering customer loyalty and providing excellent design advice, these consultants also contribute to brand reputation and repeat business, which are critical operational outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Sales Advancement: Progression into senior sales roles, potentially leading to Key Account Management or specialized sales positions.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to move into Showroom Management or Assistant Manager roles, overseeing sales teams and showroom operations.
• Specialization: Developing expertise in specific design styles or product categories, becoming a go-to resource within the company.
• Training & Certification: Access to interior design certification training provided by Bassett, enhancing professional skills and marketability.
• Multi-location Opportunities: Potential to transfer to different showrooms or regions within the Bassett Furniture network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path emphasizes growth within sales and retail management. For individuals with a background in operations, this role offers insight into the customer-facing side of the business, providing valuable context for optimizing sales enablement and customer experience processes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The work environment is a modern, state-of-the-art retail showroom. This implies a well-designed, visually appealing space intended to showcase furniture and inspire customers. Office Location(s): The specific location is Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The job description mentions the ability to drive to customers' residences and businesses for makeovers, indicating a local service area beyond the showroom.

Workspace Context:

• The showroom environment is designed to be collaborative, with team members supporting each other to achieve sales goals and provide excellent customer service.
• Access to visual merchandising tools, product samples, fabric swatches, and potentially design software will be part of the workspace.
• The role involves direct interaction with customers in a dynamic retail setting, requiring adaptability and excellent interpersonal skills.

Work Schedule: The role requires flexibility to work weekends and holidays, which are typically peak times for retail sales and customer engagement. This is a standard expectation for on-site retail positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "state-of-the-art showroom" aspect suggests an investment in the customer experience, which is a key operational focus for successful retail businesses. Understanding how showroom layout, product display, and customer flow impact sales is relevant for operations professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of the resume and application, focusing on sales experience, design passion, and communication skills.
• In-Person Interview: Candidates will likely meet with a Showroom Manager or Hiring Manager to discuss their sales background, design philosophy, and customer engagement strategies. This stage may include behavioral questions and scenario-based assessments.
• Potential Skills Assessment: Candidates might be asked to discuss their approach to a design consultation, how they handle common customer objections, or present a hypothetical "design solution."
• Cultural Fit Assessment: Emphasis will be placed on personality, attitude, and alignment with Bassett's customer-centric and sales-driven culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Sales Success: Be prepared to discuss specific sales achievements, revenue targets met or exceeded, and examples of building strong customer relationships. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "increased average sale value by X%").
• Illustrate Design Thinking: Even without a formal portfolio, be ready to articulate your design process. Discuss how you identify client needs, select products, coordinate colors/textures, and present solutions. Use examples from past work, personal projects, or even hypothetical scenarios.
• Demonstrate Consultative Skills: Highlight instances where you listened actively to customer needs, provided expert advice, and effectively guided them through a decision-making process.
• Highlight Customer Relationship Management: Share examples of how you build and maintain client relationships, including follow-up strategies and how you encourage repeat business.

Challenge Preparation:

• Sales Scenarios: Prepare for questions about how you would handle a customer who is hesitant about price, unsure about their style, or needs a complete room makeover.
• Design Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you approach space planning, color palettes, and furniture selection for different room types or client preferences.
• Customer Service Excellence: Think about how you ensure a positive customer experience from start to finish, including handling complaints or issues.
• Commission Environment Acclimation: Be prepared to discuss your comfort and strategies for working in a commission-based sales environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals transitioning into or analyzing these roles, understanding the interview process and what constitutes a strong "portfolio" for a sales consultant is crucial. It highlights the blend of sales skills, design acumen, and customer service that drives success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM System: Essential for managing customer relationships, tracking leads, sales activities, and customer purchase history. Candidates are expected to be computer proficient, implying familiarity with CRM functionalities.
• Point-of-Sale (POS) / Order Management System: For processing sales transactions, managing orders, and tracking inventory.
• Design Visualization Aids: While not explicitly stated as software, showrooms typically provide tools like fabric swatch books, color palettes, and potentially 3D room planning software or visualizers to aid customer consultations.
• Communication Tools: Standard office software (email, word processing, spreadsheets) and potentially virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, Teams) for remote interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales performance tracking and reporting will be key, likely managed through the CRM or dedicated sales analytics dashboards.
• Consultants will need to understand sales metrics, commission reports, and potentially customer data analytics to inform their sales strategies.

CRM & Automation:

• The role relies on effective CRM usage for "relationship selling" and clientele development. Automation might be present in lead nurturing or customer follow-up sequences managed by the CRM.
• Integration between CRM, order management, and potentially inventory systems would be beneficial for smooth operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this isn't a pure "operations" role focused on system implementation, a strong understanding of how CRM, POS, and sales enablement tools function is vital for optimizing the sales process and customer experience. Proficiency in these areas directly impacts sales efficiency and revenue.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A strong commitment to understanding and fulfilling customer needs, aiming for satisfaction and loyalty through exceptional design and service.
• Sales Excellence: A drive to achieve and exceed sales targets, embracing a commission-based environment and striving for peak performance.
• Continuous Improvement: A willingness to learn new design trends, sales techniques, and product knowledge to enhance professional capabilities.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Supporting fellow team members, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a positive and productive showroom atmosphere.
• Professionalism: Maintaining a polished image, demonstrating excellent communication skills, and conducting business with integrity.

Collaboration Style:

• Consultative and Supportive: Team members are expected to collaborate by sharing insights, assisting customers, and contributing to a positive showroom dynamic.
• Knowledge Sharing: The training programs and potential for design certification encourage a culture where sharing expertise and best practices is valued.
• Performance-Oriented: While collaborative, the environment is also performance-driven, with a shared focus on achieving individual and team sales goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with a customer-centric, sales-driven culture that also emphasizes personal and professional growth. For operations professionals, understanding these values helps in aligning support functions with the front-line sales team's objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Commission-Based Income Fluctuation: The primary challenge is the variability of income inherent in a commission-only or heavily commission-based sales role, requiring consistent high performance.
• Handling Diverse Customer Needs: Effectively catering to a wide range of customer tastes, budgets, and design styles requires adaptability and strong problem-solving skills.
• Maintaining High Sales Volume: Consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets in a competitive retail environment demands continuous effort and effective sales strategies.
• Balancing In-Store and Virtual Engagement: Managing customer interactions across different channels (showroom, home visits, virtual appointments) requires strong organizational and time management skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Interior Design Certification: Bassett offers a unique opportunity for associates to earn interior design certification through their training programs.
• Sales Skill Enhancement: Ongoing training in consultative selling, relationship building, and closing techniques to improve sales performance.
• Product Knowledge Deepening: Continuous learning about furniture construction, materials, styles, and new collections to become a product expert.
• Retail Management Track: Potential to transition into showroom management or other leadership roles within the retail operations of Bassett Furniture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "challenges" primarily relate to performance management in a sales context. The "growth opportunities" are significant, particularly the interior design certification, which adds a unique value proposition for professional development in this role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Sales Strategy: "Describe your approach to building rapport with a new customer in a showroom setting. How do you identify their needs and preferences?" Prepare to discuss the stages of your sales process.
• Design Consultation: "How would you guide a customer who is unsure about their design style or color palette? Walk me through a hypothetical design consultation." Focus on your process for discovery, recommendation, and closing.
• Problem-Solving & Objections: "How do you handle a customer who loves a piece but expresses concern about the price or delivery timeline?" Prepare examples of overcoming common sales objections.
• Clientele Building: "What strategies do you use to cultivate long-term customer relationships and encourage repeat business?" Discuss clienteling techniques and follow-up.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation: "What attracts you to Bassett Furniture specifically, and why this Design Consultant role?" Research Bassett's brand, history, and values.
• Teamwork: "Describe a time you collaborated effectively with colleagues to achieve a common goal. How do you contribute to a positive team environment?"
• Performance: "How do you stay motivated in a commission-based sales environment? How do you track your progress towards sales goals?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Achievements: Instead of just listing responsibilities, present your sales achievements with numbers: "Exceeded monthly sales targets by an average of 15%," or "Grew my client base by 20% in the first year."
• Showcase Design Thought Process: Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've helped clients transform their spaces. Explain your decision-making process for color, furniture selection, and layout.
• Highlight Relationship Building: Share anecdotes about building rapport, handling difficult customers, and creating loyal clients who return for repeat purchases.
• Demonstrate Professionalism: Speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and convey enthusiasm. Your presentation should reflect the polished image the company seeks.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, understanding how to frame sales success and design process thinking in an interview context is vital. It’s about translating operational efficiency and strategic thinking into tangible sales outcomes and customer satisfaction.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Bassett Furniture careers portal.
• Tailor your Resume: Highlight quantifiable sales achievements, customer relationship management experience, and any interior design or related creative skills. Use keywords from the job description such as "sales goals," "customer relationships," "design consultations," and "commission sales."
• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your passion for design and your sales methodology during the interview. Think about specific examples that demonstrate your ability to meet and exceed sales targets and build client loyalty.
• Research Bassett Furniture: Familiarize yourself with their product lines, brand history, and commitment to quality and customer service. This will help you tailor your responses and show genuine interest.
• Practice Your Presentation: If asked to discuss a hypothetical design scenario or client interaction, practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely. Focus on demonstrating your understanding of customer needs and your ability to provide solutions.

⚠️ 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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