Custom Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Custom Design Consultant

Company: Samuel & Sons

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Sales Operations / GTM Support

Date Posted: March 03, 2026

Experience Level: 2-4 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role functions as a critical support function within the Go-To-Market (GTM) operations, specifically managing the lifecycle of custom and semi-custom trimming projects.

• It requires meticulous administrative accuracy and proactive client communication to ensure successful production execution and client satisfaction.

• The position involves significant cross-functional coordination between sales, design, production, purchasing, and accounting teams to deliver high-quality custom products.

• As an individual contributor, the Consultant will be responsible for maintaining order precision, supporting sales initiatives, and contributing to the overall efficiency of the Custom Department's operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Custom Design Consultant," the description and responsibilities heavily lean towards operations and project management within a sales support context. The core function is to ensure the smooth execution of custom orders, bridging the gap between client requests, sales, and production. This aligns with a Sales Operations or GTM Support role focused on operationalizing custom product offerings.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of custom and semi-custom trimming projects, from initial client concept ideation through final production execution.

• Guide clients through project timelines, sampling procedures, approval processes, and minimum order requirements, ensuring clear expectations are set and managed.

• Coordinate the generation of custom trimming quotes, meticulously detailing color layouts, order entry, and collaborating with purchasing for material procurement and yarn sampling.

• Track production timelines for custom orders, ensuring timely delivery and proactive communication of any potential delays or issues.

• Prepare and distribute comprehensive approval packages to clients, facilitating timely sign-off and coordinating the shipment of custom samples for review.

• Conduct thorough reviews of vendor shipments and mill packing slips, verifying order accuracy against specifications and communicating any discrepancies or necessary instructions to internal teams.

• Accurately input vendor shipment data, ensuring proper territory coding for seamless alignment with Accounting and Shipping departments for financial and logistical accuracy.

• Support custom dyeing and pattern development decisions, working closely with management to align technical specifications with client design intent and production capabilities.

• Identify and proactively resolve technical development challenges that may arise during the production process, ensuring that final outcomes meet or exceed client design expectations.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of workflows and processes within the Custom Department, aiming to enhance overall efficiency, service quality, and operational effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on process management, documentation, and cross-functional coordination, which are hallmarks of operations roles. The emphasis on "administrative accuracy," "production tracking," and "workflow improvements" underscores the operational nature of this consulting role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2–4 years of experience in an administrative, client service, or showroom environment, ideally within a design-oriented industry.

• Demonstrated experience in managing projects or client engagements through a defined lifecycle.

Required Skills:

• Client Relationship Management: Ability to effectively manage client expectations, communicate project status, and ensure client satisfaction throughout the custom design process.

• Project Coordination: Proven experience in coordinating multiple project components, tracking progress, and ensuring timely execution from concept to completion.

• Administrative Proficiency: Strong skills in managing documentation, data entry, and maintaining accurate records within a specialized system (e.g., quote tracking).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent ability to work effectively with internal departments including Sales, Purchasing, Production, Accounting, and Shipping to ensure seamless project flow.

• Technical Specification Interpretation: Capacity to understand and interpret shop drawings, technical specifications, and design intent for accurate production.

• Problem-Solving: Analytical skills to identify and resolve technical or logistical challenges that may impact project timelines or client satisfaction.

• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency: Competent use of Word, Excel, and Outlook for daily tasks, reporting, and communication.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Software Proficiency: Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Illustrator, Photoshop) or similar design software for reviewing or preparing visual assets.

• Order Entry Systems: Familiarity with order entry processes and systems, particularly within a manufacturing or custom product environment.

• Design Industry Acumen: Background or demonstrated interest in design, textiles, or a related creative field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of client-facing skills and operational execution. The preference for design software and a design background indicates a need for someone who can bridge technical design aspects with operational realities. The specified experience level (2-4 years) suggests an intermediate operational role focused on execution and support.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Lifecycle Management Examples: Showcase instances where you managed custom projects from initial inquiry through to successful production, detailing your role in each phase.

• Process Improvement Case Studies: Present examples of how you identified inefficiencies in administrative or production processes and implemented solutions that improved accuracy, speed, or client satisfaction.

• Documentation & Specification Samples: Include anonymized examples of shop drawings, order specifications, or client approval packages you prepared, highlighting attention to detail and clarity.

• Client Communication Samples: Demonstrate your ability to communicate complex project details, timelines, and requirements clearly and professionally to clients.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss your experience in mapping out existing workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and proposing or implementing optimized processes for custom order management.

• System Implementation & Usage: Highlight your experience with using and maintaining specific systems for tracking quotes, orders, production status, and client interactions.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Discuss how you would track key metrics related to custom order turnaround time, accuracy, and client feedback to drive performance improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio isn't strictly required by the listing, but demonstrating relevant experience through case studies or project examples during the interview process will be crucial. Focus on showcasing how you've managed complex, multi-step processes and ensured accuracy and client satisfaction.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $25 to $30 per hour.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Health Savings Account (HSA): Option to contribute to an HSA for tax-advantaged healthcare expenses.

• Retirement Savings: 401K plan with a significant company match of 4%.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous allotment of 15 days of PTO annually.

• Flexible Holiday Options: Includes a floating holiday option for added flexibility.

• Paid Holidays: Company-recognized paid holidays.

• Incentive Program: Competitive hourly rate is supplemented by an incentive bonus structure.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime during peak periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided as an hourly rate ($25-$30). Based on a standard 40-hour work week, this translates to an annual salary range of approximately $52,000 to $62,400. This estimate is based on the provided hourly rate and typical full-time working hours in the New York area for roles requiring 2-4 years of experience in administrative and client-facing capacities. Benefits are comprehensive and align well with industry standards for full-time employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Textiles, Home Furnishings, Custom Manufacturing. Samuel & Sons operates within a niche market of high-quality custom and semi-custom trimming, serving designers and specifiers who require unique solutions. This industry demands precision, aesthetic understanding, and strong project management.

Company Size: The description suggests a medium-sized, family-owned business. The emphasis on a "close-knit family feeling" and "appreciation for its employees" points to a supportive environment where individual contributions are recognized.

Founded: Over three-quarters of a century ago, indicating a long-standing legacy and established reputation in its industry. This history implies stability and deep expertise in custom design and manufacturing.

Team Structure:

• The role is an individual contributor within the "Custom Department," suggesting a specialized team focused on custom and semi-custom projects.

• The Consultant will report to Senior Management or a direct manager within this department.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Approach: The company explicitly states "The customer is at the heart of everything we do," emphasizing a strong focus on client needs and satisfaction.

• Data-Driven Improvement: While not explicitly detailed, the mention of "workflow improvements" and "maintaining accurate documentation" suggests an operational methodology that relies on data and process analysis.

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: The core value "We are UNITED: A community that supports each other through individual perspectives and collaboration" highlights a team-based approach to tackling challenges.

Company Website: www.samuelandsons.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a blend of family values, a commitment to excellence in custom work, and a passion for innovation. For an operations role, this means a focus on detail, client satisfaction, and contributing to a supportive team environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an intermediate-level operational support position. It requires 2-4 years of experience and involves managing specific project lifecycles with a degree of autonomy. It's a key execution role within the Custom Department.

Reporting Structure: The Custom Design Consultant reports to Senior Management within the Custom Department. This structure implies direct guidance and oversight, with opportunities to learn from experienced leaders.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts revenue by ensuring the accurate and efficient execution of custom orders, which are often high-value. Client satisfaction derived from successful custom projects contributes to repeat business and positive referrals, indirectly boosting sales and brand reputation. The efficiency of this role also impacts production timelines and resource allocation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Potential to become a subject matter expert in custom trimming processes, materials, and client management, progressing to a Senior Custom Design Consultant or similar role.

• Operations Leadership: With demonstrated success in process improvement and team collaboration, there may be opportunities to move into a team lead or management position within the Custom Department or broader operations.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Experience gained in coordinating across Sales, Production, and Finance could open doors to roles in Sales Operations, Project Management, or Supply Chain within Samuel & Sons.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in design software, technical specification interpretation, and advanced project management techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is focused on execution, the emphasis on "workflow improvements" and "technical development challenges" suggests avenues for growth through process optimization and problem-solving, which are highly valued in operations careers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This is common for roles requiring direct client interaction, sample handling, and close collaboration with production and administrative teams.

Office Location(s): New York, New York. This implies working within a metropolitan hub, potentially offering access to a vibrant design community and excellent transportation links.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The company culture emphasizes unity and collaboration, suggesting an office where open communication and teamwork are encouraged.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology (Microsoft Office) and potentially specialized systems for order tracking, CRM, and design visualization will be available.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with colleagues within the Custom Department and across other functional teams (Sales, Production, etc.) is expected, fostering a dynamic work setting.

Work Schedule:

• This is a full-time position, typically 40 hours per week. The on-site nature and client-facing responsibilities suggest a structured work schedule, though flexibility may be offered based on business needs and team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is key for this role, likely due to the nature of handling physical samples, direct client consultations, and close coordination with manufacturing and logistics teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and cover letter to assess alignment with the required experience and skills.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience managing custom projects, client communication strategies, and understanding of production lifecycles. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past roles.

• Cross-Functional Interview: Potentially an interview with a colleague from Sales, Production, or another related department to assess collaboration skills and ability to integrate into the team.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a short assignment or case study, perhaps involving interpreting a design brief, preparing a mock quote, or outlining a process for handling a specific client request.

• Final Interview: A concluding meeting, possibly with senior leadership, to discuss cultural fit, long-term career aspirations, and confirm suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: When discussing projects, emphasize the steps you took, the challenges you overcame, and the systems or tools you used to manage the process effectively.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use numbers to demonstrate success (e.g., "reduced turnaround time by X%", "managed a portfolio of Y concurrent projects," "achieved Z% client satisfaction rating").

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase instances where your coordination efforts with other departments led to successful project outcomes.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Be ready to present a specific challenge you faced and detail your analytical approach and the solution you implemented.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions that present hypothetical client scenarios or production issues and ask how you would handle them.

• Process Mapping: Be ready to verbally map out the process you would follow for a typical custom order from initial inquiry to final delivery.

• Tool Proficiency: If Adobe Creative Suite is listed as preferred, be prepared to discuss your level of proficiency and how you might use it in this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Since a formal portfolio isn't explicitly requested, focus on preparing detailed, anecdotal examples of your project management and client service experience that demonstrate the core competencies listed.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for daily operations, including Word for documentation, Excel for tracking and analysis, and Outlook for communication. Proficiency is a must.

• Order Entry / CRM Systems: Experience with any system used for managing client orders, tracking project status, and maintaining client records will be highly beneficial. While not specified, familiarity with common CRM functionalities is valuable.

• Project Management Software (Potential): While not explicitly mentioned, experience with tools like Asana, Trello, or similar for task management and workflow tracking could be advantageous.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Excel: Expected to be used for data analysis, tracking metrics, and generating reports related to project timelines, order accuracy, and client feedback.

• Internal Reporting Systems: The company likely has internal systems for tracking sales pipeline, production status, and financial data that the Consultant will need to utilize.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management): Experience with CRM platforms for managing client interactions, tracking project progress, and ensuring consistent client communication.

• Internal Databases: Familiarity with database management principles for ensuring data integrity within the quote tracking and order entry systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary technical requirement is proficiency in Microsoft Office. However, any experience with order management systems, CRMs, or project tracking tools will be a significant asset as they are crucial for operational efficiency in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A core value that permeates operations, demanding a focus on delivering exceptional service and high-quality custom products that meet client needs precisely.

• Integrity & Trust: Essential for building strong client relationships and internal collaborations. This means being reliable, honest, and transparent in all dealings.

• Collaboration & Unity: The "United" value implies a team environment where individuals support each other, share perspectives, and work collectively towards common goals, particularly in resolving complex project issues.

• Passion & Drive: A commitment to doing one's best, overcoming challenges, and continuously striving for improvement in both personal performance and operational processes.

• Innovation & Adaptability: The "Push Boundaries" value encourages challenging the status quo, embracing change, and finding new ways to improve processes and product offerings.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a collaborative style that requires seamless communication and coordination across departments, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned on project requirements and timelines.

• Process-Oriented Feedback: A culture that likely values constructive feedback on workflows and processes to drive continuous improvement within the Custom Department.

• Shared Ownership: Given the family-owned nature and emphasis on unity, there's likely a shared sense of ownership for project success and client satisfaction across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values provide a strong framework for understanding how operations are conducted. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their work aligns with these values, particularly customer-centricity and collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Customization with Scalability: The primary challenge is managing a high volume of unique custom requests while maintaining efficiency, accuracy, and timely delivery. This requires robust process management and problem-solving.

• Technical Specification Nuances: Interpreting and translating complex design intents into precise production specifications can be challenging, requiring strong attention to detail and technical acumen.

• Managing Client Expectations: Effectively communicating timelines, potential limitations, and design iterations to clients while ensuring their satisfaction requires strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.

• Cross-Departmental Coordination: Ensuring smooth information flow and alignment between Sales, Design, Production, and Logistics can be complex in a custom manufacturing environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Custom Manufacturing: Gain in-depth knowledge of custom trimming processes, materials, and the intricacies of bespoke product development.

• Process Improvement Skills: Develop expertise in identifying operational bottlenecks and implementing workflow enhancements that drive efficiency and quality.

• Client Relationship Management: Hone skills in managing client expectations, providing exceptional service, and building long-term relationships in a premium product sector.

• Industry Exposure: Become familiar with the high-end design and textile industry, understanding market trends and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for operational roles in custom product environments. Highlighting how you've successfully navigated such challenges in the past will be key during interviews.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Process Management: "Describe the process you would follow to manage a custom trimming project from initial client inquiry to final production approval. What are the critical checkpoints?"

• Client Communication: "How would you handle a situation where a client's design request is technically challenging or exceeds their initial budget? Provide an example."

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a production delay occurs due to a vendor issue. How would you address this, communicate with the client, and mitigate the impact on the project timeline?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Samuel & Sons and our approach to custom design?"

• "How do you align with our core values, particularly 'Customer Centric' and 'United'?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process Flow: If asked to present examples, structure your narrative around the lifecycle of a project. Use visual aids if possible (e.g., simplified process diagrams).

• Highlight Problem/Solution: For case studies, clearly articulate the problem, your analytical approach, the solution implemented, and the resulting positive outcome (e.g., improved efficiency, client satisfaction).

• Emphasize Metrics: Be ready to discuss any quantifiable results you achieved in previous roles related to order accuracy, turnaround time, or client retention.

• Demonstrate Technical Understanding: Be prepared to discuss your comfort level with technical specifications and design elements, even if you're not a designer yourself.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare specific, STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) examples for each question, focusing on your operational contributions and ability to manage complex projects.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Comeet link.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in administrative accuracy, client communication, project coordination, and any relevant design or manufacturing industry exposure. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Preparation (Digital): Compile brief case studies or examples of projects where you managed timelines, coordinated with multiple parties, and ensured precise execution. Focus on the process and outcomes.

• Interview Practice: Rehearse answers to common interview questions, especially those related to project management, client service, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration. Practice articulating your process for managing custom orders.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review the Samuel & Sons website, understand their product offerings, and familiarize yourself with their core values to articulate your interest and cultural fit during the interview.

⚠️ 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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