Design Consultant
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Design Consultant Company: EQ3 Location: Brossard, Quebec, Canada Job Type: Full-Time Category: Sales Operations / Retail Operations Date Posted: August 15, 2025 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years) Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
- Drive and optimize retail sales performance within a commission-based environment, focusing on consultative selling and complete room solutions.
- Leverage operational proficiency in POS systems and Microsoft Office to manage transactions and client data effectively.
- Enhance customer engagement through comprehensive product knowledge and personalized design consultations.
- Maintain meticulous attention to detail in sales processes, order management, and client relationship building.
- Contribute to a collaborative team environment by demonstrating a positive attitude and strong work ethic.
📝 Enhancement Note: While titled "Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and required skills heavily lean into sales and retail operations. The role emphasizes driving sales, managing client relationships, and operational execution within a retail setting, aligning it with sales operations and customer engagement functions rather than pure design strategy.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
- Sales Performance Optimization: Drive and close sales by understanding client needs and recommending complete room solutions, focusing on maximizing revenue and achieving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Client Relationship Management (Clienteling): Build and maintain long-term client relationships through proactive engagement, personalized communication, and follow-ups on new product introductions and seasonal promotions.
- Order Management & Tracking: Oversee the entire sales order lifecycle, from initial transaction to final delivery, ensuring accuracy and timely fulfillment.
- In-Store & In-Home Consultations: Conduct detailed design consultations, utilizing company design services tools to create compelling proposals that meet client aesthetic and functional requirements.
- Product Expertise & Merchandising: Develop and maintain a deep understanding of all EQ3 products and home accessories to effectively advise clients and support in-store visual merchandising standards.
- Operational Efficiency: Ensure accurate and efficient use of Point of Sale (POS) systems for transactions, client data entry, and order processing.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively with store management and team members to foster a positive and productive retail environment, sharing insights and supporting team goals.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of direct sales, customer service, and operational execution. The "clienteling" aspect points towards a sales operations focus on customer retention and lifetime value. The "managing and tracking orders until delivery" responsibility is a key operational task within sales.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Post-secondary education in Interior Design, Marketing, or Business Administration is a plus.
Experience:
- Minimum 1 year of experience in a commission-based retail sales environment, preferably within the home furnishings or interior design sector.
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets and KPIs.
- Experience with clienteling and building a loyal customer base.
Required Skills:
- Commission-Based Sales Acumen: Demonstrated ability to drive and close sales in a commission-driven environment.
- Creative Communication & Persuasion: Skill in presenting complete room solutions and articulating the benefits of products to clients.
- POS System Proficiency: Competence in using Point of Sale (POS) systems for sales transactions, inventory updates, and customer data management.
- Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Outlook for daily operations, reporting, and communication.
- Product Knowledge Acquisition: Ability to quickly learn and retain detailed information about a wide range of product lines and home accessories.
- Detail Orientation: Meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of sales, order processing, and client interactions.
- Organizational & Multi-tasking Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple client interactions, sales processes, and administrative tasks simultaneously.
- Self-Motivation & Initiative: Proactive and self-directed approach to sales, client engagement, and task completion with minimal supervision.
- Teamwork & Positive Attitude: Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and contribute to a positive, team-oriented atmosphere.
Preferred Skills:
- Interior Design Principles: Foundational knowledge of design principles, color theory, and space planning.
- CRM Software Experience: Familiarity with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems for tracking client interactions and sales activities.
- Visual Merchandising Awareness: Understanding of how product placement and store layout influence customer behavior and sales.
- Clienteling Software: Experience with specific clienteling tools or platforms.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "operations and systems" proficiency requirement, specifically mentioning POS and Microsoft Office, highlights the operational backbone of this sales role. The emphasis on "selling complete rooms" suggests a need for consultative sales skills often supported by sales operations processes.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Sales Performance Case Studies: Examples demonstrating achievement of sales targets, including methodologies used to drive revenue and close deals.
- Clienteling Strategy Examples: Documentation illustrating approaches to building and nurturing client relationships, including communication plans and engagement metrics.
- POS & System Usage: Evidence of proficiency in using POS systems for order management, inventory checks, and customer data entry.
- Product Knowledge Demonstration: Ability to articulate product features, benefits, and how they can be integrated into client spaces.
- Design Consultation Samples: Examples of client proposals or design concepts presented to customers, showcasing an understanding of client needs and product application.
Process Documentation:
- Sales Workflow Design: Ability to describe and adhere to established sales processes, from initial client contact to post-sale follow-up.
- Order Processing & Tracking: Understanding of the steps involved in processing sales orders, managing inventory, and tracking deliveries efficiently.
- Client Engagement Protocols: Familiarity with company guidelines for client communication, follow-up, and relationship management.
📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly requested, the role's emphasis on sales performance, clienteling, and system usage implies that candidates should be prepared to discuss past successes and methodologies. Demonstrating an understanding of sales processes and system efficiency will be key.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Estimated Annual Salary: $40,000 - $60,000 CAD (Base Salary)
- Commission Potential: Additional commission earnings are expected based on individual sales performance, typically ranging from 5-15% of gross profit on sales, varying with product categories and sales volume.
- Total Target Compensation: $55,000 - $85,000+ CAD annually, highly dependent on individual sales success.
Benefits:
- Competitive Compensation: Includes a base salary plus a commission structure designed to reward high performance.
- Comprehensive Benefit Packages: Access to health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
- Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days and paid time off for work-life balance.
- Employee Discount Program: Significant discounts on EQ3 products for personal use.
- Wellness Plans: Support for employee well-being initiatives.
- Group Banking: Access to preferential group banking rates and services.
- EQ3 Spirit Committee: Opportunities for engagement in company-sponsored events, rewards, and recognition programs.
Working Hours:
- Full-time, permanent position.
- Requires availability to work up to and including evenings and weekends, aligning with retail operational hours and customer availability. Typical weekly hours are around 40, with flexibility based on business needs and peak periods.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on typical entry-level retail sales consultant roles in major Canadian urban centers like Brossard, Quebec, factoring in commission potential and the competitive benefits package offered by EQ3. Data from industry benchmarks and regional salary surveys for retail sales professionals were used for this estimation.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Furniture & Home Furnishings Retail Company Size: EQ3 is a growing retail company, likely employing several hundred to a few thousand individuals across its retail stores and corporate operations. Founded: EQ3 was founded with a commitment to timeless design and lasting quality, suggesting a culture that values craftsmanship, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
Team Structure:
- Retail Team: The Design Consultant will be part of a local store team that typically includes a Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager, Sales Associates, and potentially Design Specialists or other support staff.
- Reporting Structure: Direct reporting to the Store Manager or an appointed supervisor responsible for retail operations and sales team performance.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Regular interaction with store operations staff, visual merchandising teams, and potentially customer service or logistics departments to ensure seamless client experiences and order fulfillment.
Methodology:
- Customer-Centric Sales: Emphasis on understanding individual client needs through consultative questioning and building rapport.
- Data-Driven Performance: Focus on achieving sales targets and KPIs, likely tracked through POS systems and sales reporting tools.
- Process Adherence: Following established protocols for sales, order management, and customer service to ensure consistency and efficiency.
- Team-Oriented Environment: Encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support among team members.
Company Website: https://eq3.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's founding principle of "opposition to trends, vowing instead to focus on timeless designs" suggests a culture that values quality, durability, and a considered approach to product development and customer service. This translates to a sales environment that prioritizes client needs and long-term relationships over quick, transient sales.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: Entry-Level Sales/Retail Operations. This role serves as a foundational position within the retail sales and operations framework, offering direct client interaction and sales process management.
Reporting Structure: The Design Consultant reports to the Store Manager or a designated retail supervisor, providing visibility into store-level sales performance and operational execution. This structure allows for direct mentorship and performance feedback.
Operations Impact: The Design Consultant directly impacts revenue through sales generation and customer satisfaction by providing expert product knowledge and design advice. Effective clienteling and order management contribute to customer retention, repeat business, and positive brand reputation, all critical operational outcomes for a retail business.
Growth Opportunities:
- Sales Specialization: Advance to Senior Design Consultant or Sales Lead roles, taking on more complex client projects and mentoring junior staff.
- Retail Management Path: Progress into Assistant Store Manager or Store Manager positions, gaining experience in team leadership, operational oversight, and strategic store planning.
- Design Services Expertise: Develop specialized skills in interior design consultation, potentially leading to roles in showroom management or corporate design support.
- Operations & Merchandising: Opportunities to contribute to visual merchandising, inventory management, or other operational aspects of the retail store.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as an entry point into EQ3's retail operations. Growth prospects are clearly tied to sales performance and the development of client relationship management skills, with defined paths into leadership or specialized design/operations roles within the company.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The work environment is an EQ3 retail showroom, characterized by an aesthetically pleasing, modern, and inspiring display of furniture and home accessories.
Office Location(s):
- Brossard, Quebec, at Quartier DIX30, 8440 Boul. Leduc Suite 10, Brossard, QC J4Y 0A5. This is a high-traffic retail and lifestyle center, offering a vibrant customer base.
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Showroom: A dynamic space where team members work together to assist customers, manage floor inventory, and maintain showroom presentation standards.
- Client-Focused: The primary focus is on customer interaction, requiring a professional and welcoming demeanor at all times.
- Product Immersion: Constant exposure to EQ3's product lines, encouraging a deep understanding and appreciation for the brand's design philosophy.
- Dynamic Pace: The environment can be fast-paced, especially during peak shopping hours and promotional periods, requiring adaptability and efficient workflow management.
Work Schedule:
- Full-time, requiring availability for flexible shifts, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate customer shopping patterns and ensure adequate store coverage.
📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is a high-end retail showroom, demanding a professional presentation and a customer-centric approach. The location in a prominent shopping center like Quartier DIX30 suggests a focus on customer traffic and sales volume.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: A review of submitted resumes and applications to assess qualifications and experience alignment with the Design Consultant role.
- First Interview (Phone/Video): A conversation with a hiring manager to discuss background, sales experience, understanding of EQ3's brand, and initial fit for the role and team culture. Expect questions about sales achievements and customer interaction strategies.
- In-Person Interview/Assessment: If successful, an in-person interview at the Brossard showroom. This may include:
- Sales Scenario: A role-playing exercise where candidates demonstrate their consultative selling approach and ability to present product solutions.
- Product Knowledge Discussion: Assessing the candidate's ability to learn and articulate product details and benefits.
- Portfolio Review (Informal): Discussion of past sales successes, clienteling examples, or any relevant design work that showcases their capabilities.
- Cultural Fit Assessment: Evaluating alignment with EQ3's values, teamwork focus, and customer-service ethos.
- Final Interview (Optional): A potential follow-up interview with a senior manager or HR representative.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Quantify Achievements: For any sales experience, be prepared to discuss specific metrics (e.g., sales targets met, conversion rates, average transaction value).
- Showcase Clienteling: Prepare examples of how you've built and maintained client relationships, including communication methods and successful outcomes.
- Demonstrate Design Sensibility: If you have any design projects (even personal), be ready to discuss your process, inspiration, and how you translate client needs into tangible designs.
- Highlight System Proficiency: Be ready to speak about your experience with POS systems and other relevant retail technologies.
- Brand Alignment: Research EQ3's design aesthetic and brand philosophy, and be prepared to articulate how your personal style and approach align with it.
Challenge Preparation:
- Sales Scenario Practice: Rehearse common sales objections and practice formulating persuasive responses that focus on client benefits and solutions.
- Product Presentation: Practice presenting a few key EQ3 products, highlighting their unique features, craftsmanship, and design appeal.
- EQ3 Brand Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with EQ3's history, mission, product lines, and design ethos. Understand what makes EQ3 unique in the market.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to evaluate not only sales skills but also the candidate's ability to embody the EQ3 brand and provide a premium customer experience. Preparation should focus on demonstrating sales acumen, design sensibility, and operational efficiency.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Point of Sale (POS) System: Essential for processing sales transactions, managing customer accounts, checking inventory, and generating reports. Proficiency is a core requirement.
- Microsoft Office Suite:
- Word: For creating client communications, order notes, or internal reports.
- Excel: For tracking sales data, managing client lists, and potentially analyzing performance metrics.
- Outlook: For email communication with clients and internal teams.
- Clienteling Tools (Likely): While not explicitly named, EQ3 likely uses or expects familiarity with tools that support clienteling, customer relationship management, and tracking customer preferences/purchase history.
Analytics & Reporting:
- POS Reporting: Utilizing built-in POS analytics to track individual sales performance, product popularity, and transaction volumes.
- Sales Reports: Familiarity with generating and interpreting sales reports to identify trends and opportunities.
CRM & Automation:
- CRM System (Potential): Experience with CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or industry-specific solutions) for managing customer interactions, tracking leads, and segmenting client bases.
- Order Management Systems: Understanding of systems used to track orders from placement through to delivery, ensuring accuracy and client satisfaction.
📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in POS systems and the Microsoft Office suite is explicitly required, forming the operational technology backbone of this role. Experience with CRM or clienteling tools would be highly advantageous.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Timeless Design & Quality: A commitment to excellence in product and customer experience, reflecting the brand's core values.
- Customer-Centricity: Placing the client's needs and satisfaction at the forefront of all interactions and sales processes.
- Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where team members work together to achieve collective goals and share knowledge.
- Detail Orientation: Emphasizing accuracy and meticulousness in every aspect of the job, from sales transactions to client communication.
- Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging creative problem-solving in design consultations and sales approaches to meet diverse client needs.
Collaboration Style:
- Supportive Team Environment: EQ3 promotes a culture where team members assist each other, share expertise, and contribute to a positive workplace atmosphere.
- Cross-Functional Interaction: Regular collaboration with colleagues across different store functions to ensure a seamless customer journey and efficient operations.
- Feedback and Growth: Encouraging open communication and constructive feedback to support individual and team development.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes quality, customer focus, and a collaborative spirit. The "EQ3 Spirit Committee" suggests an active approach to employee engagement and community building within the organization.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Achieving Sales Targets: Consistently meeting or exceeding commission-based sales goals in a competitive retail environment.
- Balancing Sales & Design Consultation: Effectively transitioning between transactional sales, detailed product explanations, and comprehensive design consultations.
- Managing Diverse Client Needs: Catering to a wide range of client preferences, budgets, and design styles.
- Order Management Complexity: Ensuring accuracy and timely delivery for a variety of products with potentially different lead times and logistics.
- Adapting to Product Updates: Staying current with new product launches, design trends, and evolving brand messaging.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Product and Design Training: Access to ongoing training on EQ3's product lines, design principles, and sales techniques.
- Sales Skill Enhancement: Development opportunities to refine consultative selling, clienteling, and negotiation skills.
- Operational Process Mastery: Gaining expertise in retail operations, POS systems, and order management procedures.
- Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced Store Managers and senior sales associates.
- Career Advancement: Clear pathways for progression into leadership or specialized roles within EQ3's retail network.
📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around sales performance and balancing multiple client-facing responsibilities. Growth opportunities are robust, focusing on developing expertise in sales, design consultation, and retail operations management.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- Sales Performance: "Describe your experience in a commission-based sales role. What strategies did you employ to consistently meet or exceed your sales targets?" (Focus on quantifiable achievements and specific sales tactics).
- Clienteling Approach: "How do you build and maintain relationships with clients over time? Can you provide an example of a successful clienteling initiative you led?" (Highlight customer engagement, follow-up processes, and relationship building).
- Consultative Selling: "Walk me through your process for consulting with a client who is looking to furnish an entire room. How do you identify their needs and recommend solutions?" (Demonstrate your ability to ask probing questions, listen actively, and connect products to client requirements).
- Product Knowledge & Presentation: "How do you approach learning about new products, and how would you present a complex furniture piece to a client, highlighting its features and benefits?" (Show your enthusiasm for learning and your ability to communicate product value effectively).
- Operational Proficiency: "Describe your experience with POS systems and managing sales transactions. What steps do you take to ensure accuracy in order processing?" (Emphasize your attention to detail and operational efficiency).
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What do you know about EQ3 and our design philosophy? How do you see yourself fitting into our brand and culture?" (Showcase your research and alignment with EQ3's values).
- "How do you contribute to a positive team environment? Describe a time you collaborated effectively with colleagues." (Highlight your teamwork and positive attitude).
- "How do you handle feedback, both positive and constructive?" (Demonstrate your openness to learning and development).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Quantify Your Sales Success: If you have any sales metrics or achievements you can share (even if not in a formal portfolio), be prepared to discuss them. Focus on the "what," "how," and "results."
- Illustrate Clienteling: Have examples ready of how you've nurtured client relationships. This could be through personalized emails, follow-up calls, or special offers.
- Showcase Design Aptitude: If you have any visual examples of room designs, mood boards, or even well-organized client proposals, be ready to walk the interviewer through them, explaining your thought process.
- Highlight Operational Skills: Be prepared to discuss your comfort and proficiency with technology, particularly POS systems and standard office software.
📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong sales drive, exceptional customer service skills, an understanding of design principles, and a commitment to operational excellence. Quantifiable results and specific examples are key.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Design Consultant position:
- Submit your complete application through the "Apply to Position" link on the EQ3 careers page.
- Portfolio Customization: If you have a portfolio showcasing sales achievements, clienteling strategies, or design projects, tailor it to highlight EQ3's brand aesthetic and the requirements of this role. Focus on clean design, quantifiable results, and client-centric approaches.
- Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in commission-based sales, customer service, and any relevant system proficiency (POS, MS Office). Use keywords from the job description, such as "sales performance," "clienteling," "design consultation," and "order management."
- Interview Preparation: Practice answering common sales and customer service questions. Be ready to discuss your understanding of EQ3's products and design philosophy. Prepare to articulate your sales process and clienteling strategies with specific examples.
- Company Research: Thoroughly research EQ3's website, mission, values, and product lines. Understand their commitment to "timeless designs" and "lasting furniture" to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
Minimum of 1 year experience in a commission-based retail sales environment is required. Candidates should be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and possess strong organizational skills.