Part-time Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Part-time Designer
Company: The Container Store Inc.
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Job Type: PART_TIME
Category: Retail Design & Sales Operations
Date Posted: December 29, 2025
Experience Level: 2-5 Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on providing expert custom space design solutions, leveraging deep product knowledge to assist customers.
• It involves managing simultaneous customer projects from initial design through to completion, ensuring exceptional customer service and project accuracy.
• The position requires strong sales acumen to close deals, foster repeat business, and achieve sales goals within a retail environment.
• It acts as a brand ambassador, embodying company values and contributing to a positive and productive store atmosphere.
• This is a part-time, hourly, non-exempt position requiring flexibility in scheduling, including days, evenings, and weekends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Designer," is heavily integrated into sales and customer relationship management within a retail context. Its operations focus lies in the efficient management of customer projects, sales processes, and retail environment maintenance, rather than traditional GTM operations strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage multiple, simultaneous customer custom space design projects with a high degree of accuracy, ensuring timely completion and consistent, concise communication with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with customers to design, present, and refine customized plans for storage and organization solutions, utilizing effective communication and presentation skills.
• Drive sales by efficiently closing deals, actively working to build repeat and referral business through exceptional customer experiences.
• Maintain seamless project execution by consistently communicating with store managers and support center partners, ensuring all project phases from inquiry to installation are handled effectively to meet sales targets.
• Act as a brand ambassador, enthusiastically supporting company initiatives, modeling professional and productive behaviors, and collaborating with store employees to achieve store-wide goals.
• Stay current with all Container Store training, selling methodologies, product knowledge, promotions, processes, and philosophies to ensure consistent and high-quality customer interactions.
• Utilize company tools and email proficiently to manage communications, projects, and administrative tasks.
• Actively participate in the daily maintenance and visual presentation of the custom spaces showroom, ensuring an appealing and organized retail environment.
• Handle cash and other valuables appropriately and securely, adhering to all company policies and procedures.
• Maintain a safe working and shopping environment by adhering to safety protocols and utilizing available resources to ensure the security of employees, customers, and property.
• Assist customers with confidential personal information related to company credit card applications and processes.
• Perform other assigned tasks and duties as requested to support store operations and team objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of direct customer interaction, sales execution, and operational upkeep of the retail space, particularly the custom design showroom. The "project management" aspect is customer-centric and sales-driven, focusing on the lifecycle of a custom design sale rather than broader operational process optimization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: College degree preferred.
Experience: 2-5 years of sales and clientele experience preferred.

Required Skills:

• Custom Space Design: Ability to conceptualize and design functional and aesthetically pleasing storage and organization solutions tailored to individual customer needs.
• Customer Service Excellence: Proven track record of delivering outstanding customer service, building rapport, and ensuring customer satisfaction throughout the sales and project lifecycle.
• Sales Acumen: Strong ability to effectively present solutions, overcome objections, close sales, and foster repeat and referral business.
• Communication Proficiency: Clear, professional, and effective oral and written communication skills, capable of articulating complex design concepts and project details to diverse audiences.
• Project Management (Client-Focused): Skill in managing multiple customer projects simultaneously, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistent follow-through from initial contact to finalization.
• Computer Proficiency: Strong skills in using company tools, including Outlook, Word, and a foundational understanding of Excel and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).
• Time Management & Organization: Excellent ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects concurrently, and maintain a high level of organization in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Attention to Detail: Focused and accurate execution of tasks, especially concerning design specifications, customer data, and project details, even under pressure.
• Professionalism: Ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor, aligning with The Container Store's brand identity and values.
• Adaptability & Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to changing business needs, flexible scheduling, and a positive attitude towards learning and new processes.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to make strategic and effective decisions in the best interest of customers and the company by objectively processing information.
• Teamwork: Commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues and store employees to achieve common goals.
• Safety Consciousness: Ability to work in a safe manner, maintaining alertness and ensuring the safety and security of the store environment.
• Cash Handling & Confidentiality: Responsible handling of cash, credit card applications, and confidential customer and company information.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of Retail Trends: Passion for and up-to-date knowledge of trends in custom spaces and the broader retail industry.
• CRM System Expertise: Deeper experience with Salesforce or similar Customer Relationship Management tools for sales tracking and customer management.
• Visual Merchandising: Experience or aptitude in maintaining and enhancing visual presentations within a retail showroom.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are heavily weighted towards direct customer interaction, sales, and retail operations. While "project management" is listed, it's framed within the context of individual customer projects rather than enterprise-level operational process improvement. Proficiency in specific CRM tools like Salesforce is a strong indicator of the operational systems this role interacts with.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Project Showcase: Examples of past custom space designs, illustrating problem-solving for unique customer needs and showcasing aesthetic and functional solutions.
• Sales Achievement Documentation: Evidence of sales performance, potentially through case studies detailing how design solutions led to successful sales and customer satisfaction.
• Customer Interaction Examples: Demonstrations of client communication, needs assessment, and presentation skills, highlighting how complex information was conveyed clearly.
• Process Flow Understanding: While not a traditional portfolio item, candidates should be prepared to discuss their understanding of a customer project lifecycle from initial consultation to completion.

Process Documentation:

• Customer Needs Assessment: Ability to articulate a systematic approach to understanding and documenting customer requirements, space constraints, and lifestyle needs.
• Design Proposal Workflow: Understanding of how to translate customer needs into a structured design proposal, including product selection, layout, and pricing.
• Sales Cycle Management: Familiarity with the stages of a retail sales cycle, from lead generation (customer inquiry) to closing and post-sale follow-up.
• System Utilization: Readiness to discuss how CRM tools and company-specific software are used to manage customer information, track projects, and facilitate sales.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a traditional "operations portfolio" focusing on process re-engineering or system implementation is not expected. Instead, the "portfolio" should showcase the candidate's ability to execute the sales and design process effectively. This includes demonstrating their skills in client management, sales conversion, and project lifecycle handling within a retail context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a part-time, hourly position with 2-5 years of experience in a sales and design capacity, the estimated hourly rate in Raleigh, NC, would typically range from $17 to $25 per hour. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for retail sales associates with design responsibilities, factoring in the cost of living in Raleigh, NC, and the specified experience level.

Benefits:

• Rewarding Pay: Competitive hourly wage recognizing the value brought to the team.
• Competitive Health Plans: Access to health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan: With optional investment guidance and assistance through Fidelity.
• "1equals3" Website: For easy access to benefits information and company updates.
• Sick Pay and PTO: Competitive paid time off to allow for rest and recharge.
• Employee Discounts: A significant discount on The Container Store products, including custom spaces and services.

Working Hours: This is a part-time position, with an estimated average of 20 hours per week. Schedules will include daytime, evenings, and weekends, and candidates must have the flexibility to work additional hours based on changing business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for a part-time role in Raleigh, NC, considering the specified experience level. Benefits listed are a combination of those explicitly mentioned for part-time roles and some full-time benefits that may be prorated or accessible to part-time associates. The estimated 20 hours per week aligns with typical part-time retail roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Specialty Retail (Storage and Organization)
Company Size: The Container Store operates over 100 retail locations, employing several thousand individuals. This indicates a substantial, established retail organization with a structured corporate and store-level hierarchy. For operations professionals, this means established processes, potential for system integration, and a focus on scalable solutions.
Founded: 1978. With over 40 years of history, The Container Store is a well-established leader in its niche, suggesting stability, proven business models, and a mature corporate culture.

Team Structure:

• Retail Store Teams: This role is part of a local store team, working alongside fellow designers, sales associates, stock associates, and management.
• Reporting: The Part-time Designer likely reports to a Store Manager or a Custom Spaces Manager, who oversees the design and sales functions within the store.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaboration will occur with store management for sales goal alignment, with support center partners for project logistics, and with other store associates for daily operations and customer support.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Design: The core methodology revolves around understanding and solving customer problems through customized storage and organization solutions.
• Consultative Selling: The approach involves guiding customers through product options, design possibilities, and the benefits of customization to meet their specific needs.
• Process Adherence: Emphasis is placed on following established company processes for sales, project management, customer communication, and store operations to ensure consistency and efficiency.

Company Website: www.containerstore.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "matchless, fun, authentic, team-focused and life-changing." This suggests an environment that values employee well-being, collaboration, and a positive customer experience. The operations context here is about delivering a consistent, high-quality customer experience through structured retail processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-to-mid-level retail sales and design position. It's focused on executing established sales and design processes rather than defining or optimizing them at a strategic level. The role provides foundational experience in customer relationship management, consultative sales, and retail operations.

Reporting Structure: Reports to Store Management (e.g., Store Manager or Custom Spaces Manager), indicating a direct line of oversight for performance, scheduling, and adherence to company standards. This structure is typical for on-site retail roles.

Operations Impact: The direct impact of this role is on individual customer satisfaction, sales conversion rates, and the visual presentation of the custom spaces showroom. Indirectly, it contributes to overall store revenue, customer loyalty, and brand perception by delivering on the company's promise of "saving time, saving space and improving the quality of their lives."

Growth Opportunities:

• Sales & Design Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in custom space design, learn advanced sales techniques, and potentially become a subject matter expert in specific product categories.
• Leadership Track: Potential to move into full-time roles, key holder positions, or management roles within a store (e.g., Assistant Manager, Custom Spaces Manager) by demonstrating leadership, sales performance, and operational proficiency.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining experience in various aspects of retail operations, from customer service and sales to visual merchandising and inventory management.
• Training & Development: Access to company-provided training on products, sales methodologies, and customer service best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth opportunities in this role are primarily within the retail operational framework of The Container Store, focusing on advancing within sales, management, or specialized design roles. It's less about transitioning into traditional corporate GTM or RevOps functions and more about excelling within the retail operational ecosystem.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a retail store environment, specifically the sales floor and custom spaces showroom within a physical Container Store location. Office Location(s): Raleigh, North Carolina, at the address specified (4601 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27612). This implies a standard retail store setting with customer traffic.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Retail Floor: The workspace involves constant interaction with customers and team members on the retail sales floor.
• Showroom Environment: Dedicated space for showcasing custom design solutions, requiring a keen eye for visual presentation and organization.
• Tools & Technology: Access to company-provided POS systems, CRM tools, design software, and communication platforms (email, internal systems).

Work Schedule: The schedule is part-time, requiring flexibility to cover daytime, evening, and weekend shifts. While not a typical 9-to-5, the hours are structured around retail operational needs, with a focus on customer availability. The role demands constant alertness and a safe working manner within this dynamic environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is distinctly retail-focused. Operations professionals considering this role should understand that "operations" here pertains to the efficient functioning of a retail store and its sales processes, rather than a corporate office setting typical for GTM or RevOps roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely an online application followed by a phone screen with an HR representative or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and interest.
• In-Store Interview: A more in-depth interview, potentially including interactions with store management and possibly a role-playing scenario or a brief design challenge. This stage will assess sales skills, customer interaction abilities, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Presentation (Informal): While not a formal portfolio review in the corporate sense, candidates will be expected to discuss their sales experience and design approach. They may be asked to walk through examples of past projects or how they would approach a specific customer scenario.
• Final Assessment: Evaluation will focus on sales performance potential, customer service aptitude, design thinking, and alignment with The Container Store's values and culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Sales Success: For this role, highlight examples of how your design or sales efforts directly led to successful transactions and customer satisfaction. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "increased repeat customer rate by X%," "closed deals averaging $Y").
• Demonstrate Design Thinking: Be prepared to articulate your process for understanding customer needs and translating them into practical, appealing design solutions. Use visual aids if discussing past projects (even if conceptual).
• Highlight Customer Interaction Skills: Prepare examples of how you've handled challenging customer situations, built rapport, and provided exceptional service.
• Emphasize Process & Organization: Discuss your ability to manage multiple projects, maintain organization, and communicate effectively throughout a customer's journey.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be ready for questions like, "How would you handle a customer who is unsure about the design?" or "What would you do if a customer's budget is lower than your initial design proposal?"
• Product Knowledge Application: Demonstrate an understanding of basic storage and organization principles and how they apply to different spaces (closets, kitchens, garages, etc.).
• Sales Pitch Practice: Practice articulating the value proposition of The Container Store and its custom design services concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio expectations are tailored to a retail sales and design role. The emphasis is on practical application of sales and design skills in a customer-facing environment, rather than strategic operations planning or process improvement.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Point of Sale (POS) System: For processing transactions, managing sales, and potentially customer data entry.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System: Likely Salesforce or a similar platform for managing customer interactions, tracking leads, sales pipelines, and project status. This is crucial for client-focused project management.
• Design Software: Proprietary or industry-standard software used for creating custom space designs, generating visualizations, and producing project plans.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Outlook (communication, scheduling), Word (documentation), and basic knowledge of Excel (data handling, reporting).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Performance Dashboards: Used to track individual sales goals, conversion rates, and project completion metrics.
• CRM Reports: Generating reports on customer engagement, sales pipeline health, and customer project status.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM for Client Management: Used extensively for managing customer profiles, communication history, and project details.
• Potential for Workflow Automation: While less pronounced than in corporate operations, the CRM may have automated reminders or task assignments to ensure process adherence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is typical for a client-facing retail role with design responsibilities. The emphasis is on tools that support direct customer sales, project management from the customer's perspective, and efficient retail operations. Understanding CRM functionality is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Matchless Customer Service: A core value emphasizing going above and beyond to meet customer needs and create exceptional experiences.
• Fun & Authentic: Encouraging a positive, genuine, and enjoyable work environment for both employees and customers.
• Team-Focused: Promoting collaboration, mutual support, and shared responsibility among team members to achieve collective goals.
• Life-Changing Solutions: A commitment to providing products and services that genuinely improve customers' lives by bringing order and efficiency to their spaces.
• Efficiency & Accuracy: Implicit values in managing projects, handling transactions, and maintaining the store environment effectively.

Collaboration Style:

• Customer-Centric Collaboration: Team members work together to ensure a seamless customer journey, from initial inquiry and design to purchase and potential installation.
• Supportive Team Environment: Encourages asking for help, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues to achieve store-wide objectives.
• Process Alignment: Collaboration often involves adhering to established company processes and procedures to maintain consistency and quality across all customer interactions and store functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values are strongly aligned with a customer-centric retail model. For operations professionals, this means understanding that efficiency and process are driven by the goal of enhancing the customer experience and achieving sales targets, rather than optimizing internal business workflows.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Sales & Design: Effectively managing the dual responsibilities of driving sales targets while also providing detailed, personalized design consultations.
• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling numerous customer projects simultaneously, each with unique requirements, deadlines, and customer expectations.
• Customer Budget Constraints: Working with customers whose budget may not align with their initial design aspirations, requiring creative problem-solving and negotiation.
• Staying Current: Keeping up-to-date with product lines, design trends, and company promotions in a dynamic retail environment.
• Part-Time Schedule Demands: Adapting to varied and potentially non-traditional work hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet business needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Sales Technique Mastery: Opportunities to refine consultative selling skills, objection handling, and closing techniques.
• Design Expertise Development: Deepening knowledge of storage and organization principles, product applications, and space planning.
• Product Knowledge Expansion: Becoming an expert on The Container Store's extensive product catalog.
• Retail Operations Exposure: Gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of retail store operations, customer service, and visual merchandising.
• Potential for Advancement: Demonstrating strong performance can lead to opportunities for full-time positions, key holder responsibilities, or management roles within the retail environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are typical for a retail-focused, customer-facing role. They emphasize personal skill development in sales and design, along with operational execution within a store setting.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Sales Approach: "Describe your approach to consultative selling. How would you identify a customer's core needs and propose solutions?"
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a customer has a very small budget but needs a comprehensive closet organization. How would you approach this situation?"
• Customer Service Scenarios: "Tell me about a time you had to handle a difficult customer. What was the situation, and how did you resolve it?"
• Design Process: "Walk me through how you would design a custom closet for a client, from initial consultation to final presentation."

Company & Culture Questions:

• Values Alignment: "What does 'matchless customer service' mean to you, and how would you embody it in this role?"
• Teamwork: "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you contribute to a positive team dynamic?"
• Motivation: "What interests you about The Container Store and this specific Part-time Designer role?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Results: If discussing past projects, emphasize the outcome—customer satisfaction, successful sales, or problem resolution.
• Articulate Your Process: Clearly explain your steps in understanding needs, designing solutions, and communicating with clients.
• Showcase Problem-Solving: Highlight instances where you had to overcome design or sales challenges.
• Demonstrate Enthusiasm: Convey passion for organization, design, and helping customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strong customer service, sales ability, design thinking, and alignment with the company's values. Practical, scenario-based answers are key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Part-time Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on The Container Store's careers portal.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight any experience in sales, customer service, interior design, or home organization. Quantify achievements wherever possible (e.g., sales figures, customer satisfaction metrics).
• Prepare for Sales Scenarios: Be ready to discuss your sales approach and how you build client relationships. Practice articulating the value of custom organization solutions.
• Showcase Design Thinking: If you have a portfolio or examples of past design work, be prepared to discuss your creative process and problem-solving skills. Even conceptual examples are valuable.
• Research The Container Store: Understand their brand, "1equals3" philosophy, and commitment to organization solutions. Be ready to explain why you are a good fit for their culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with The Container Store's hiring team before making application decisions.

---