Showroom Design Consultant - Wheaton

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Showroom Design Consultant - Wheaton

Company: JC LICHT

Location: Wheaton, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Retail Sales & Design Operations

Date Posted: April 09, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is centered around providing expert design consultation within a retail showroom environment, focusing on paint, wallcoverings, and custom window treatments.

• The consultant will be responsible for driving showroom sales, cultivating leads for in-home services, and ensuring a premium customer experience aligned with the JC Licht brand.

• A key aspect involves leveraging product knowledge and design expertise to assist a diverse clientele, including homeowners, contractors, and interior designers.

• This position requires strong interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships, manage appointments, and effectively navigate sales processes using a POS system.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Showroom Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and requirements point to a hybrid role blending retail sales, interior design consultation, and customer relationship management. The emphasis on driving sales and managing customer needs positions this within a broader "Sales & Design Operations" context, as it directly impacts revenue generation and customer satisfaction processes. The "0-2 Years" experience level suggests an entry-level or junior role, focusing on foundational skills in design, sales, and customer service.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Client Consultation & Design Expertise:

  • Assist clients in selecting custom window treatments, wallcoverings, and paint colors/finishes for residential and commercial projects.
  • Provide expert advice on color palettes, material selection, and design trends to meet client needs and aesthetic preferences.
  • Educate clients on product features, benefits, and installation considerations for various home décor items.

• Sales & Business Development:

  • Drive showroom sales by engaging with walk-in customers and proactively identifying their project requirements.
  • Cultivate appointments for in-home design services by effectively communicating the value proposition to store traffic.
  • Achieve and exceed monthly sales goals through effective sales techniques and customer relationship management.
  • Navigate the Point of Sale (POS) system to prepare accurate quotes and process transactions efficiently.

• Customer Relationship Management:

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, and interior designers to foster repeat business and referrals.
  • Ensure overall customer satisfaction through excellent follow-up skills and attentive service throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Collaborate effectively with in-home associates to ensure seamless customer service and project execution.

• Operational Support:

  • Maintain a well-organized and visually appealing showroom environment.

  • Perform light lifting as required for product demonstration and showroom upkeep.

  • Ensure availability to work evenings and weekends to accommodate customer schedules and peak retail periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a direct impact on revenue generation through sales and lead cultivation. The need to "Cultivate appointments for our In-Home services from daily store traffic" and "Ability to drive sales and exceed monthly sales goals" underscores the sales operations aspect of this role. Collaboration with "In Home associates" points to cross-functional operational alignment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a background or strong interest in Interior Design, Interior Merchandising, or a related field is highly advantageous.

Experience:

• 0-2 years of experience in a customer-facing role, preferably within retail, sales, or a design-adjacent industry.

• Prior experience in window treatments, color consultation, interior design, or sales for other home improvement/design product lines is a significant plus.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Ability to articulate design concepts, listen actively to client needs, and build rapport.

• Customer Service Excellence: Proven ability to provide outstanding service, resolve issues, and ensure client satisfaction.

• Sales Acumen: Capacity to drive sales, identify opportunities, and meet or exceed sales targets.

• POS System Proficiency: Ability to navigate and utilize a Point of Sale system for quoting and transaction processing.

• Organizational Skills: Capacity to manage appointments, follow up with clients, and maintain showroom standards.

• Adaptability: Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by retail operations.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to address client concerns and find suitable design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Interior Design Knowledge: Familiarity with design principles, color theory, and current home décor trends.

• Product Knowledge (Window Treatments/Wallcoverings/Paint): Specific understanding of product types, materials, and applications.

• Sales Experience in Home Improvement/Design: Direct experience selling similar product lines.

• Appointment Setting: Proven ability to schedule and manage client consultations.

• Transportation: Own reliable transportation for potential travel between locations or client sites (though primary focus is showroom).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" are foundational for client interaction and sales execution. "Preferred Skills" are crucial for excelling in the design consultation aspect and directly align with the "0-2 Years" experience level, indicating areas where candidates can differentiate themselves or develop rapidly. The emphasis on "POS System" and "Quote Preparation" points to operational efficiency in sales processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Showcase of Design Projects: A portfolio demonstrating past design work, consultations, or personal projects in interior design, color schemes, or window treatments. This should include high-quality images and brief project descriptions.

• Client Interaction Examples: If possible, include anonymized examples of how you've addressed client needs, presented solutions, or managed design consultations.

• Sales Achievement Documentation: Quantifiable examples of sales performance, customer satisfaction metrics, or contributions to sales goals in previous roles.

• System Navigation Examples (Conceptual): While not a live demo, be prepared to discuss your approach to using POS systems or CRM tools to manage client information, quotes, and sales data.

Process Documentation:

• Client Needs Assessment: Be prepared to articulate your methodology for understanding a client's requirements, budget, and aesthetic preferences during an initial consultation.

• Solution Presentation: Demonstrate your ability to present design options clearly, justify recommendations, and guide clients toward a final decision.

• Sales Cycle Management: Outline your process for following up with leads, converting prospects into customers, and ensuring post-sale satisfaction.

• Collaboration Workflow: Describe how you would coordinate with internal teams (e.g., in-home associates, installation) to ensure a smooth customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an entry-level role (0-2 years), the portfolio expectation is likely less about extensive professional experience and more about demonstrating potential, passion, and foundational skills. The "Process Documentation" section focuses on the approach and methodology the candidate would employ, rather than requiring pre-existing documented processes. This aligns with an operations focus on standardizing and optimizing client interaction and sales workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $22 - $25 per hour

Estimated Annual Salary (based on 40 hours/week): $45,760 - $52,000

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage options may be available (specifics to be confirmed).

• Paid Time Off: Vacation days, sick leave, and potentially holidays.

• Employee Discount: Discount on JC Licht products and services, ideal for personal décor projects.

• Sales Commission/Bonuses: Potential for additional earnings based on exceeding sales goals, incentivizing performance.

• Training & Development: Comprehensive product training and ongoing support to enhance design and sales skills.

Working Hours:

• Full-time position, typically 40 hours per week.

• Requires availability to work evenings and weekends to accommodate customer schedules and peak retail periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $22-$25/hour is competitive for a retail design consultant role with customer-facing sales responsibilities in the Wheaton, IL area. This range is typical for individuals with 0-2 years of experience, particularly those with some specialized knowledge in design or sales. Benefits are standard for full-time retail positions, with a strong emphasis on sales incentives and product knowledge development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Paint, Decorating, Window Treatments)

Company Size: 50-200 Employees (Estimated based on 57 locations)

Founded: 1907

Company History: JC Licht has a long-standing history, serving the Chicagoland area since 1907. This longevity suggests a stable company with deep roots in the community, emphasizing customer trust and long-term relationships. The company prides itself on being a family environment where employees are valued.

Team Structure:

• Showroom Teams: Each of the 57 locations likely operates with a small, dedicated team including a showroom manager, sales consultants, and potentially support staff.

• Reporting Structure: The Showroom Design Consultant will likely report to the Store Manager or Showroom Manager.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with "In-Home associates" for seamless customer service, and potentially with installation teams or corporate operations for product support and training.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Approach: The company emphasizes providing expert advice and outstanding service, making customers feel like neighbors and friends.

• "Make it Happen" Credo: This internal motto suggests a proactive, results-oriented culture where problem-solving and execution are highly valued.

• Product Expertise Focus: Significant investment in training to ensure employees can offer expert advice across an extensive product line.

• Sales Performance: A clear focus on driving sales and meeting customer needs within a premium brand context.

Company Website: JC Licht (jclicht.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and family-oriented culture suggest a stable work environment that values employee contributions. The "Make it Happen" credo is a key cultural indicator for operations professionals, implying a need for initiative and problem-solving. The "premium brand name" aspect means that operational excellence in customer service and sales is paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level to Junior Sales & Design Consultant

This role is positioned as an entry point into the retail design and sales sector. It offers foundational experience in customer interaction, sales processes, and product knowledge within the home décor industry. The "0-2 Years" experience level indicates a focus on learning and skill development.

Reporting Structure:

The consultant will report to the Store/Showroom Manager, providing a direct line of communication for guidance, performance feedback, and operational oversight. This structure allows for close mentorship and rapid learning.

Operations Impact:

• Revenue Generation: The primary impact is through direct sales within the showroom and the cultivation of leads for higher-value in-home services, directly contributing to the company's top-line revenue.

• Customer Satisfaction & Brand Perception: By providing expert advice and excellent service, the consultant reinforces the JC Licht brand as a trusted, premium provider of home décor solutions. Positive customer experiences lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

• Lead Qualification: Effectively qualifying leads for in-home services ensures that the sales team focuses on the most promising opportunities, optimizing resource allocation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design Consultant: Advancement to a more senior role with increased responsibility, potentially handling more complex projects or mentoring junior staff.

• In-Home Design Specialist: Transition to a role focused exclusively on in-home consultations, which may offer higher earning potential.

• Showroom Management: Potential progression into a Showroom Manager position, overseeing operations, staff, and sales performance for a specific location.

• Specialization: Developing deep expertise in specific product categories (e.g., custom drapery, specific paint lines) to become a subject matter expert.

• Sales Training & Development: Access to ongoing training to enhance sales techniques, product knowledge, and design skills, making the individual more valuable across various retail and design roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes a transition from foundational retail sales to more specialized design roles or management positions. The "Operations Impact" section highlights how this seemingly retail-focused role contributes to core business operations like revenue and brand perception.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Retail Showroom Environment

The primary work setting is a customer-facing retail showroom located at 1815 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL. This environment is designed to showcase products and facilitate client consultations.

Office Location(s):

• Primary Location: 1815 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. This location serves as the base for the Showroom Design Consultant.

• Potential for Travel: While the role is primarily showroom-based, the requirement for "own transportation" and "cultivating appointments for our In-Home services" suggests occasional travel to client residences or businesses within the greater Chicagoland area might be expected, especially for follow-ups or initial in-home consultations originating from the showroom.

Workspace Context:

• Customer-Facing: The role involves constant interaction with diverse clientele in a dynamic retail setting.

• Collaborative Atmosphere: While individual sales are key, there's an emphasis on teamwork with other store associates and in-home specialists to ensure comprehensive customer service.

• Product Immersion: The workspace is rich with product samples, displays, and design resources, providing a hands-on learning environment.

• Technology Integration: Utilization of POS systems for sales transactions and potentially CRM tools for client management.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, typically 40 hours per week.

• Must be available to work evenings and weekends. This is a standard requirement for retail operations to cover peak customer traffic times and ensure consistent service availability. Flexibility in scheduling is a key aspect of this role's operational demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is typical for retail operations, emphasizing customer interaction and scheduled flexibility. The need for personal transportation, even if primarily showroom-based, is a practical operational consideration for this role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening (Phone/Video): A brief conversation to assess basic qualifications, communication skills, and interest in the role. This is where your resume and initial interest are evaluated.

2. In-Person Interview: A more in-depth discussion at the Wheaton showroom. This will likely involve:

• Behavioral Questions: Assessing past experiences related to customer service, sales, and problem-solving.
• Scenario-Based Questions: Presenting hypothetical client scenarios to gauge your approach to design consultation and sales.
• Skills Assessment: Potentially a brief exercise on using a POS system or a quick color consultation simulation.

1. Portfolio Review (if applicable): You may be asked to present your portfolio or discuss relevant design/sales experiences.

2. Final Interview/Offer: A concluding meeting with the hiring manager or district manager to discuss terms and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Relevant Work: Prioritize examples of interior design projects, color consultations, or window treatment selections. If professional experience is limited, include personal projects, schoolwork, or even mood boards that demonstrate your design sensibility and understanding of color theory.

• Quantify Achievements: For any sales roles, highlight specific metrics like sales targets met/exceeded, customer satisfaction scores, or lead generation contributions.

• Highlight Process: For each project or experience, briefly explain your approach: understanding client needs, developing solutions, presenting options, and achieving outcomes. This demonstrates your operational thinking.

• Visual Appeal: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. High-quality images are crucial for design roles.

• Tailor to JC Licht: Emphasize how your skills and aesthetic align with JC Licht's brand, products, and customer base.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a scenario where you might be asked to select paint colors for a room, suggest window treatments for a specific window type, or create a mood board based on a client's brief. Practice articulating your design rationale clearly.

• Sales Pitch: Practice a brief pitch explaining the benefits of JC Licht's services, particularly the in-home consultation, to a hypothetical customer.

• POS System Familiarity: While you won't be tested on a specific system, be ready to discuss your experience with any sales or transaction software and your ability to learn new systems quickly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both technical design skills and operational sales capabilities. Strong preparation around portfolio presentation and scenario-based challenges will be key for candidates to demonstrate their suitability for this hybrid role. The emphasis on "process" in portfolio review and challenge preparation aligns with operations expectations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Point of Sale (POS) System: Essential for processing transactions, generating quotes, managing inventory, and customer data. Candidates should be comfortable learning and using such systems, or have prior experience with retail POS software.

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System: Likely used to track customer interactions, manage leads for in-home services, and nurture client relationships. Familiarity with CRM principles is beneficial.

• Design Software/Tools (Potential): While not explicitly stated, some designers may utilize software for visualization, mood boards, or color palette generation (e.g., Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap, Benjamin Moore Color Capture, or general design apps).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Reporting: The POS system will likely generate reports on sales performance, individual targets, and product popularity. The ability to interpret and act on this data is valuable.

CRM & Automation:

• Client Data Management: The POS and/or CRM will be key for managing client information, project details, and follow-up schedules.

• Lead Management: Processes for capturing, qualifying, and assigning leads for in-home services will be critical.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core operational tools are POS and potentially CRM. The emphasis is on efficient transaction processing, customer data management, and lead nurturing to drive sales operations and customer satisfaction. Proficiency in learning new software is a crucial operational skill.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and meeting client needs, treating them as neighbors and friends. This translates to prioritizing client satisfaction in all interactions and decisions.

• Excellence & Audacity: A drive to be "radically excellent" and "audacious" suggests a culture that encourages innovation, high performance, and pushing boundaries in customer service and design.

• Teamwork & Family: Valuing employees as part of a family, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where team members help each other succeed.

• Expertise & Education: A strong belief in providing employees with the knowledge and training to become experts in their field, enabling them to offer superior advice.

• Results Orientation: The "Make it Happen" credo underscores a value placed on execution, problem-solving, and achieving business objectives, particularly sales goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Support: The role requires collaboration with in-home associates, highlighting a need for seamless handoffs and shared customer information.

• Shared Success: While individual sales are tracked, the overall success of the store and the company relies on collective effort and a supportive team dynamic.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing product knowledge, design tips, and customer insights to benefit the entire team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of customer-centricity, high performance ("audacious"), and a supportive, family-like atmosphere. For operations, this means individuals must be both driven to achieve targets and collaborative within a team structure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Retail Sales and Design Consultation: Effectively managing walk-in traffic while also dedicating time to in-depth design consultations and follow-ups.

• Meeting Diverse Client Needs: Catering to a wide range of client tastes, budgets, and project scopes, from simple paint selections to complex window treatment designs.

• Driving In-Home Service Leads: Successfully converting showroom visitors into appointments for the higher-value in-home services, requiring strong sales and persuasive skills.

• Staying Current with Trends: Continuously learning about new design trends, product innovations, and color palettes to provide cutting-edge advice.

• Working Non-Traditional Hours: Adapting to a schedule that includes evenings and weekends, which is common in retail but requires personal flexibility.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Comprehensive Product Training: In-depth education on JC Licht's extensive range of paints, wallcoverings, and window treatments, becoming a product expert.

• Sales Methodology Training: Learning effective sales techniques, consultation strategies, and closing methods tailored to the home décor industry.

• Design Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to hone color consultation skills, understand design principles, and develop a keen eye for aesthetics.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced store managers and sales professionals within the JC Licht network.

• Career Advancement: Clear pathways for growth into senior consultant roles, in-home specialist positions, or showroom management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a hybrid retail sales and design role, requiring strong time management and interpersonal skills. Growth opportunities are geared towards specialization and advancement within the retail and design operations framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you helped a customer make a difficult design decision. What was your process?"

  • Preparation: Focus on your approach to understanding their needs, presenting options, and guiding them to a solution. Highlight your communication and problem-solving skills.

• "How would you handle a situation where a customer is undecided between two very different design styles?"

  • Preparation: Emphasize active listening, asking probing questions about their lifestyle and preferences, and perhaps suggesting a compromise or a way to incorporate elements of both.

• "Imagine a customer comes into the showroom looking for paint for their living room. What questions would you ask to help them choose the right color and finish?"

  • Preparation: Show your understanding of key consultation elements: room size, lighting, existing décor, desired mood, and practicality.

• "How do you stay motivated to meet sales goals in a retail environment?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about JC Licht and our products?"

  • Preparation: Research the company website thoroughly. Understand their history, product categories, and brand values (e.g., "radically excellent," "family").

• "How do you think your design aesthetic aligns with JC Licht's brand?"

  • Preparation: Review JC Licht's showroom images and product offerings. Connect your personal style or your approach to design with their offerings.

• "Describe your ideal work environment."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• **Focus on Process