Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: Express Flooring

Location: Tulsa, OK

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Sales Operations (Client-Facing Sales & Design)

Date Posted: 2025-11-06

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on client-facing sales and design consultation within the flooring industry, emphasizing in-home customer interactions and solution-oriented sales.

• Success in this position relies on strong consultative sales skills, the ability to understand client needs, and effectively present design options and product solutions.

• The position leverages a commission-based compensation structure, rewarding high performance and sales closing capabilities, supported by provided leads and training.

• Key performance indicators will revolve around sales conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and revenue generation through effective in-home consultations and sales closing.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and compensation structure strongly align with a client-facing Sales Consultant role, particularly within a home improvement or retail sector. The "Operations" aspect is primarily in managing client interactions, sales processes, and contributing to revenue generation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-home consultations with homeowners to assess their flooring needs, understand design preferences, and measure project scope.

• Develop and present personalized, comprehensive flooring estimates and tailored sales solutions, leveraging product samples and design expertise.

• Effectively close sales by building rapport, addressing client concerns, and clearly articulating the value proposition of Express Flooring's products and services.

• Collaborate closely with the internal Express Flooring team to ensure smooth project handoffs, from initial sale to installation.

• Manage a personal schedule of appointments, prioritizing client needs and maximizing sales opportunities generated through provided leads.

• Maintain a deep understanding of Express Flooring's product catalog, design trends, and installation processes to provide expert advice.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities are centered around direct sales execution, client consultation, and closing deals in a field-based capacity. The "design" aspect is integrated into the sales process through product selection and aesthetic recommendations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Consultative Sales: Proven ability to engage clients, understand their needs, and propose tailored solutions, rather than simply presenting products.

• Client Relationship Management: Skill in building trust and rapport with homeowners to foster long-term relationships and ensure customer satisfaction.

• Sales Closing: Demonstrated success in converting leads into closed sales through persuasive communication and negotiation.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities are essential for clear client interaction, estimate presentation, and internal collaboration.

• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to manage a personal schedule, prioritize tasks, and maintain detailed client records, especially given the field-based nature of the role.

• Problem-Solving: Capacity to identify and address client concerns, design challenges, and project-specific issues effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Flooring or Home Improvement Sales Experience: Prior knowledge of flooring products, installation processes, or the home improvement industry would be a significant advantage.

• Design Acumen: A good eye for interior design and an understanding of color, texture, and style trends relevant to flooring.

• CRM Software Proficiency: Familiarity with using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to track leads, manage client interactions, and monitor sales pipelines.

• Estimating & Measurement: Experience or aptitude for taking accurate measurements and developing detailed project estimates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level of 2-5 years, combined with the emphasis on in-home sales and closing, suggests a mid-level sales role that requires a degree of autonomy and proven sales success. The preference for a college degree indicates a desire for candidates with strong foundational education.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Sales Performance Metrics: Documented evidence of past sales success, including conversion rates, average deal size, and revenue generated, ideally presented in a quantifiable format.

• Client Consultation Examples: Case studies or detailed descriptions of successful in-home consultations, highlighting how client needs were identified and met with tailored solutions.

• Sales Process Documentation: A brief outline of your personal sales process, from initial client contact through closing and post-sale follow-up, demonstrating a structured approach.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Examples of how you have overcome sales objections, resolved client issues, or adapted sales strategies to meet specific customer needs.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their approach to managing a sales pipeline, from lead qualification to closing, emphasizing efficiency and client focus.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to use provided tools and resources (like product samples and CRM) to support the sales process and deliver client value.

• Ability to explain how feedback from client interactions and sales outcomes can be used to refine personal sales techniques and contribute to team learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly requested, a portfolio demonstrating sales achievements and a structured approach to client engagement will significantly differentiate candidates for this client-facing sales role. The emphasis on "problem-solving" and "design options" suggests a need to showcase how solutions were crafted.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $125,000 - $150,000 USD per year (Average first-year earnings, commission-based).

Benefits:

• Extensive Training: An 8-week paid training program designed to equip new consultants with product knowledge, sales techniques, and an understanding of Express Flooring's operational processes.

• Ongoing Coaching: One-on-one coaching from sales managers to support skill development and performance improvement.

• Lead Generation: Access to high-quality "Golden Leads" generated through TV advertising, significantly reducing the need for cold calling and offering a strong starting point for sales engagement.

• Supportive Sales Management: Dedicated support from sales managers focused on employee development and success.

• Flexible Scheduling: Autonomy to manage personal work schedules around client appointments, allowing for a focus on results rather than strict adherence to hourly requirements.

• Potential for High Earnings: A commission structure designed to reward top performers with significant earning potential, directly tied to sales success.

Working Hours:

• While not explicitly stated as a fixed number of hours, the role requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to accommodate client appointments and sales cycles. This implies a results-oriented work environment where focus is on client availability and closing deals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is explicitly stated as an average for the first year and is heavily commission-dependent. This is a critical factor for candidates to understand. The benefits package is heavily weighted towards training and lead generation, which are crucial support mechanisms for a commission-only sales role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Flooring & Home Improvement Retail. Express Flooring operates in a competitive market, offering residential and commercial flooring solutions with a focus on customer experience.

Company Size: Express Flooring is described as a "leading provider... in multiple states" and a "rapidly expanding company." This suggests a medium to large-sized organization with established operations and a growth-oriented mindset.

Founded: Not specified, but the company's description implies a history of operation and expansion.

Team Structure:

• The role operates within a sales team, likely reporting to a Sales Manager.

• Collaboration is expected with internal teams responsible for installation, customer service, and potentially order processing.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a customer-centric approach, aiming for a "superior floor covering experience."

• Data-driven insights are implied through the "Golden Leads" with a 60% close rate, suggesting an understanding of lead quality and conversion metrics.

• Process optimization is evident in the structured training program and the provision of qualified leads to maximize sales efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company positions itself as a growing, employee-focused organization that values performance, customer service, and employee development. The emphasis on "problem solvers" and "exceptional service" suggests a culture that rewards initiative and a proactive approach to client needs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Sales Consultant. It requires proven sales experience (2+ years) and offers significant earning potential, indicating a level of responsibility and autonomy. It's a client-facing role contributing directly to revenue generation, rather than internal operations management.

Reporting Structure: Sales Consultants likely report to a Sales Manager or Regional Sales Director. The structure is designed to provide support and coaching while expecting independent performance in the field.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is direct revenue generation. By closing sales and driving customer acquisition, the consultant directly contributes to the company's financial success and market presence. Effective sales also support downstream operations like installation and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Sales Leadership: Advancement into Sales Management roles, overseeing teams of consultants and contributing to sales strategy.

• Senior Sales Consultant/Specialist: Becoming a subject matter expert in specific product lines or sales strategies, potentially mentoring junior staff.

• Performance-Based Advancement: Continued high performance can lead to opportunities for increased lead quality, greater autonomy, or specialized client accounts.

• Skill Development: Ongoing training and coaching provide opportunities to hone sales, negotiation, and design consultation skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is client-facing sales, the emphasis on training, coaching, and potential for advancement into management aligns with career progression within a sales operations framework, focusing on revenue enablement and team development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily an on-site role, with the majority of work conducted in clients' homes ("in-home consultations"). This is a field-based sales position.

Office Location(s): Tulsa, OK. The consultant will be expected to travel to client locations within the Tulsa metropolitan area and surrounding regions.

Workspace Context:

• The "workspace" is largely the client's home, requiring adaptability and professionalism in diverse environments.

• Consultants will be equipped with product samples and potentially a tablet or tools for measurements and estimates.

Work Schedule:

• The schedule is flexible but requires willingness to work evenings and weekends to accommodate client availability. This is typical for field sales roles where client convenience dictates appointment times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site, field-based nature of this role requires a candidate who is comfortable working independently, traveling to client sites, and managing their own time effectively outside of a traditional office setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a phone or video call to assess basic qualifications, communication skills, and alignment with the sales role.

• In-depth Interview: A more comprehensive interview, potentially with a Sales Manager, to delve into sales experience, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of consultative selling.

• Role-Play/Scenario: Candidates may be asked to perform a mock sales consultation or present a sales strategy to assess practical skills.

• Training/Onboarding Overview: Discussion about the 8-week paid training program and ongoing support.

• Final Interview: Possibly with a hiring manager or senior sales leader to confirm fit and discuss compensation details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: Focus on metrics. Instead of "increased sales," state "increased sales by 15% in Q3 2024, exceeding targets by 5%."

• Showcase Consultation Process: Describe a specific client scenario where you identified a unique need and tailored a solution, detailing the steps you took.

• Highlight Problem-Solving: Prepare an example of a challenging sales objection or client issue and how you successfully resolved it to secure the sale.

• Demonstrate Design Thinking: If applicable, show how you helped a client visualize their space and choose products that met both functional and aesthetic requirements.

• Tailor to Express Flooring: Research Express Flooring's products, target market, and sales approach to frame your experience and portfolio examples effectively.

Challenge Preparation:

• Consultative Selling Practice: Rehearse how you would approach an in-home consultation, from initial greeting to closing the sale, focusing on active listening and needs assessment.

• Objection Handling: Prepare responses to common sales objections (e.g., price, competition, timeline).

• Product Knowledge Integration: Understand how you would present product samples and explain benefits in a client's home.

• Understanding "Golden Leads": Be ready to discuss how you would leverage a high-quality, pre-qualified lead to maximize conversion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process likely prioritizes candidates with a proven track record in sales and a strong understanding of client-facing consultative approaches. Preparing specific examples and quantifying past successes will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM System: Likely a CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or a proprietary system) for lead management, client tracking, sales pipeline visibility, and activity logging.

• Estimating Software/Tools: Tools or proprietary software for creating accurate flooring estimates, potentially integrated with the CRM.

• Product Sample Kits: Physical or digital catalogs and samples of flooring materials for client presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Performance Dashboards: Access to dashboards or reports showing individual sales metrics, pipeline status, and conversion rates.

• Lead Management System: A system to receive, track, and manage incoming leads from TV advertising and other sources.

CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce (or similar CRM): Essential for managing client data, tracking interactions, and forecasting sales.

• Mobile Sales Tools: Potentially tablet-based applications for in-home measurements, design visualization, and real-time quote generation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with CRM systems is fundamental for managing client interactions and sales processes. The role implies a need for comfort with digital tools for estimation and client presentations in the field.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A strong emphasis on providing a "superior floor covering experience" and exceptional service.

• Results Orientation: A commission-based structure inherently values high performance, sales closing, and revenue generation.

• Problem-Solving: The company actively seeks individuals who can find innovative solutions to client needs and challenges.

• Ambition & Growth: Express Flooring encourages employees seeking rewarding careers with unlimited potential for growth.

• Teamwork: While a field-based role, collaboration with internal teams for successful project completion is expected.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Consultants must work effectively with sales managers, installation crews, and potentially customer support to ensure seamless client experiences.

• Feedback Loop: Openness to receiving coaching and feedback from managers to improve sales techniques and client engagement.

• Knowledge Sharing: While individual performance is key, sharing insights on client needs or market trends can contribute to overall team strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to blend individual achievement with team support, emphasizing results, excellent customer service, and a proactive approach to problem-solving within a growing company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Commission-Based Income Volatility: Earning potential is directly tied to sales performance, which can fluctuate. This requires strong financial management and resilience.

• Field Sales Demands: Managing travel, client schedules, and working independently in various home environments.

• Competitive Market: The flooring industry can be competitive, requiring consultants to effectively differentiate Express Flooring's offerings.

• Client Management: Handling diverse client personalities, expectations, and potential issues that may arise during the sales process.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Sales Skills Enhancement: Intensive training and ongoing coaching provide opportunities to master consultative selling, negotiation, and closing techniques.

• Product & Design Expertise: Deepen knowledge of flooring materials, installation, and interior design principles.

• Career Progression: Clear pathways to advance into sales management or senior sales roles within the organization.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience in the home improvement and flooring sector, a significant market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a commission-based, field sales role. The company addresses these by providing robust training, high-quality leads, and management support, alongside clear growth opportunities within the sales organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to an in-home sales consultation for flooring. How do you build rapport and identify client needs?" (Focus on listening, questioning, and needs assessment).

• "Walk me through a time you successfully closed a challenging sale. What were the obstacles, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight problem-solving, negotiation, and perseverance).

• "How do you handle objections related to price or competition when selling a premium product?" (Prepare strategies for value articulation and differentiation).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Express Flooring specifically, and what do you know about our company?" (Research their mission, values, and market position).

• "How do you align with our emphasis on providing a 'superior floor covering experience'?" (Connect your customer service philosophy to their stated goals).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Showcase a "Consultation to Close" Story: Select a strong sales example and narrate the client's journey from initial contact through to a successful sale, highlighting your role at each step.

• Quantify Results: Integrate specific numbers – e.g., "Increased average deal size by X%," "Achieved Y% close rate in QZ."

• Demonstrate Design Thinking: If possible, include visuals or descriptions of how you helped a client achieve their desired aesthetic with your product recommendations.

• Focus on Process: Briefly explain your systematic approach to managing leads, conducting consultations, and following up with clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a consultative sales mindset, proven closing abilities, and a proactive approach to client engagement. Quantifiable results and specific examples will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Express Flooring careers page.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in in-home sales, customer consultation, and a proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets. Use keywords such as "consultative sales," "client engagement," "sales closing," "in-home estimates," and "revenue generation."

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate examples of past sales successes, focusing on quantifiable achievements and case studies of successful client consultations and problem-solving. Be ready to articulate your sales process.

• Interview Readiness: Practice answering common sales interview questions, particularly those related to consultative selling, objection handling, and closing techniques. Prepare to discuss your approach to leveraging provided leads and managing a flexible schedule.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Express Flooring's products, services, mission, and target market to demonstrate genuine interest and an understanding of their business context.

⚠️ 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.