Kitchen and Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Kitchen and Design Consultant

Company: Skilled Trades Partners

Location: Exeter, New Hampshire, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Sales & Design Operations

Date Posted: August 20, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive client engagement and project success by providing expert kitchen design and consultation services.

• Manage the end-to-end sales cycle for building materials and design elements, from initial client contact through proposal generation and closing.

• Collaborate with internal teams, including sales, estimating, purchasing, and operations, to ensure seamless project execution and client satisfaction.

• Leverage specialized design software to create functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen layouts and product selections.

• Maintain a high standard of customer service, building strong relationships with homeowners, builders, remodelers, and contractors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Kitchen and Design Consultant," has significant operational components. The emphasis on coordinating with purchasing, operations, and ensuring project accuracy before ordering, along with managing multiple client projects, positions it within a broader "Sales & Design Operations" category. The role requires a blend of creative design, direct sales, and operational execution to ensure client projects are delivered accurately and efficiently.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth consultations with homeowners, builders, contractors, and remodelers to thoroughly understand project requirements, scope, and budget.

• Utilize advanced kitchen design software (e.g., 20/20 Design, ProKitchen, Chief Architect) to develop detailed, functional, and visually appealing kitchen layouts and 3D renderings.

• Provide expert guidance and product selection assistance to clients for a comprehensive range of building materials, including cabinetry, countertops, hardware, flooring, doors, windows, and millwork.

• Prepare accurate and persuasive estimates, proposals, and design presentations, clearly articulating project scope, material selections, and associated costs.

• Manage and coordinate design revisions based on client feedback and project adjustments, ensuring all selections meet aesthetic and functional requirements.

• Proactively follow up on generated quotes and proposals, employing effective sales strategies to convert opportunities into closed sales and revenue.

• Liaise closely with internal sales, estimating, purchasing, and operations departments to ensure accurate order placement, product specifications, and project timelines.

• Verify the completeness and accuracy of all project details and product selections prior to order submission to minimize errors and ensure project integrity.

• Maintain a meticulously organized, welcoming, and inspiring showroom environment that effectively showcases product offerings and enhances the client experience.

• Stay abreast of the latest design trends, emerging products, and industry innovations to provide clients with cutting-edge solutions and maintain a competitive edge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a critical bridge between sales, design, and operational fulfillment. The emphasis on "coordinating with sales, estimating, purchasing, operations," and "ensuring projects are accurate and complete before ordering" points to a need for strong process adherence and cross-functional communication, typical of operations-focused roles within sales environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a background in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field is highly beneficial. A certificate or degree in interior design or a related field would be advantageous.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in kitchen design, interior design, cabinetry sales, or a similar showroom sales environment. Experience within the building materials or home improvement sector is strongly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in kitchen design or interior design, with a strong portfolio showcasing completed projects.

• Proficiency with kitchen design software such as 20/20 Design, ProKitchen, Chief Architect, or comparable platforms.

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build rapport and trust with diverse clientele.

• Strong sales acumen, including lead follow-up, proposal generation, and closing techniques.

• Ability to accurately interpret and utilize architectural floor plans and construction drawings.

• Exceptional attention to detail and robust organizational skills to manage multiple projects concurrently.

• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, for client and internal team interactions. Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience selling cabinetry, countertops, flooring, doors, windows, or other building materials.

• Familiarity with construction processes, remodeling workflows, and general home improvement practices.

• Experience in estimating and preparing project proposals.

• Knowledge of industry-specific product lines and manufacturers.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level suggests a mid-career professional. The combination of design software proficiency, sales skills, and the ability to read construction drawings indicates a role that requires both creative and analytical capabilities, common in operations roles that support sales and project delivery.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio demonstrating successful kitchen design projects, highlighting before-and-after transformations and client satisfaction.

• Case studies detailing the design process, including client needs assessment, concept development, material selection, and final installation.

• Examples of how design software was used to visualize and refine concepts, showcasing technical proficiency.

• Documentation of projects that involved coordination with multiple stakeholders (e.g., contractors, suppliers) to illustrate collaboration and project management skills.

• Evidence of problem-solving within design constraints, such as space limitations or budget restrictions. Process Documentation:

• Showcase understanding of the sales pipeline from lead generation to project completion.

• Illustrate workflow for managing client consultations, design revisions, and order processing.

• Demonstrate experience in project coordination, emphasizing accuracy in specifications and order fulfillment.

• Provide examples of how client feedback and project scope were managed to ensure project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase design aesthetics but also the candidate's ability to manage the entire process from initial client engagement to order fulfillment, demonstrating an operational understanding of sales and project delivery within a design context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour. This equates to an annual salary range of approximately $52,000 - $62,400 for a full-time, 40-hour work week.

Benefits:

• Direct hire, full-time position offering stability and long-term employment.

• Participation in a competitive compensation structure with hourly pay.

• Opportunity to work within an established and growing organization.

• Environment focused on customer satisfaction and design excellence.

• Potential for professional development in a dynamic design and building materials industry.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically involving a 40-hour work week. Specific daily hours may vary to accommodate client appointments and showroom operations, often requiring flexibility to meet with clients during business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided as an hourly rate. Based on a standard 40-hour work week, this translates to an annual range. The benefits are described as standard for a full-time direct-hire role, with a focus on stability and growth within the company. For this specific role, flexibility in working hours to accommodate client needs is a common expectation in showroom environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Building Materials & Home Improvement / Interior Design. Skilled Trades Partners operates within a sector that bridges construction, retail, and design services, serving both professional trades and individual homeowners. This industry demands a blend of technical knowledge, aesthetic sensibility, and strong client relationship management.

Company Size: As a direct hire opportunity facilitated by Skilled Trades Partners, the client company is described as "well-established" and "established and growing." This suggests a company size that is likely mid-sized, large enough to have dedicated departments for sales, operations, and purchasing, but potentially agile enough to foster close-knit team collaboration.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the description implies a mature organization with established processes and a solid market presence. This longevity suggests stability and a commitment to quality service and products.

Team Structure:

• The design consultant will be part of a sales and design team, likely working closely with sales managers, other designers, and potentially project coordinators.

• Close collaboration with estimating, purchasing, and operations departments is explicitly mentioned, indicating a matrixed or integrated team structure where seamless handoffs are critical.

• The role also involves interaction with external stakeholders, including builders, remodelers, and contractors, requiring a strong external-facing presence. Methodology:

• Data-driven client needs assessment to inform design solutions.

• Customer-centric approach to sales and service, prioritizing client satisfaction and project success.

• Process-oriented execution for order accuracy and project management, ensuring efficient workflow from consultation to delivery.

• Collaborative problem-solving, leveraging internal expertise and external partnerships to overcome design and project challenges.

Company Website: https://skilled-trades-partners.breezy.hr

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely to be customer-focused, emphasizing collaboration between design, sales, and operational support teams. The "established and growing" nature suggests a dynamic environment where process improvement and client relationship management are key to success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Consultant, requiring 2-5 years of relevant experience. It involves independent work on client projects but also requires significant collaboration with internal operational departments. The role is a key contributor to revenue generation through design and sales expertise.

Reporting Structure: The consultant will likely report to a Sales Manager or Showroom Manager, with direct dotted-line accountability to project completion and accuracy metrics managed by operations or purchasing leads.

Operations Impact: The consultant directly impacts revenue through sales conversions and influences customer satisfaction and repeat business through effective design and project management. Accurate order fulfillment and efficient project coordination, facilitated by operational collaboration, are critical to profitability and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Senior Kitchen & Design Consultant roles, taking on more complex projects or mentoring junior staff.

• Transition into Sales Management or Showroom Management positions.

• Specialization in specific product categories or design styles.

• Potential to move into roles with more direct operational oversight or project management responsibilities within the building materials sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential in this role leans towards both advanced sales/design expertise and operational efficiency roles. The ability to manage projects from concept to completion, with an understanding of purchasing and operations, provides a strong foundation for career progression in customer-facing or process-oriented roles within the building materials and design industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a customer-facing showroom or design center environment. This setting is designed to be welcoming, organized, and inspiring, showcasing a wide range of building materials and design elements.

Office Location(s): Exeter, New Hampshire. This location serves the local community and surrounding areas for design consultations and product selection.

Workspace Context:

• The primary workspace will be the showroom, requiring an organized and aesthetically pleasing presentation of products.

• Dedicated design stations equipped with computers, specialized design software, and material samples will be available.

• Opportunities for collaboration will exist with sales, estimating, and purchasing teams, potentially in shared office spaces or through regular team meetings.

• The environment necessitates a balance between client-facing interactions and focused design work.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time, on-site position, typically involving a 40-hour work week. Flexibility may be required to accommodate client appointments outside of standard business hours, which is common in retail and design showroom environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the hands-on nature of the role, involving direct client interaction and showroom management. The workspace is designed to be both a functional design studio and a sales presentation area.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• First Interview: Typically with a hiring manager (e.g., Todd) or a senior sales/design lead. This interview will focus on your background, design philosophy, sales approach, and understanding of the building materials industry. Be prepared to discuss your experience with specific design software and client interaction scenarios.

• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a portfolio of your work. This is a critical step to showcase your design capabilities, project management skills, and ability to articulate your design process and rationale. Prepare to walk through 2-3 key projects.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: A practical exercise or case study may be administered to assess your ability to interpret floor plans, create a design concept, or prepare a client proposal under timed conditions.

• Final Interview: Potentially with higher-level management to assess cultural fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent your skills in kitchen design, space planning, material selection, and client collaboration. Include a mix of project types if possible.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly outline the client's initial needs, your design approach, the tools used (especially design software), challenges faced, and the final outcome. Emphasize how you translated client requirements into a functional and attractive design.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics. This could be client satisfaction feedback, successful project completion within budget, or the efficiency gained through your design choices.

• Showcase Software Proficiency: Include examples that demonstrate your skill with 20/20 Design, ProKitchen, or similar software, perhaps through renderings or detailed layouts.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Software Practice: Refresh your skills on common kitchen design software. Be ready to demonstrate your workflow for creating a layout from scratch.

• Reading Plans: Practice interpreting architectural floor plans and construction drawings, identifying key dimensions, room layouts, and structural elements.

• Sales Scenarios: Prepare to role-play client interactions, from initial consultation to handling objections and presenting proposals.

• Product Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with common building materials like cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and hardware, understanding their characteristics and applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily relies on demonstrating practical design skills and sales acumen. A robust portfolio that highlights both creative talent and operational understanding of project delivery is essential for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Kitchen Design Software: Proficiency in 20/20 Design, ProKitchen, Chief Architect, or similar professional-grade kitchen and bath design software is a core requirement. Candidates should be adept at creating layouts, 3D renderings, and generating material lists.

• CRM System: While not explicitly mentioned, a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is likely used for managing client interactions, tracking leads, proposals, and sales pipelines. Familiarity with CRM principles and common platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) would be beneficial.

• Microsoft Office Suite/Google Workspace: Standard productivity tools including Word/Docs for proposals and communication, Excel/Sheets for basic calculations and data organization, and PowerPoint/Slides for presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Performance Dashboards: May be used to track individual sales performance, lead conversion rates, and project pipeline status.

• Project Management Tools: Potentially used for tracking project timelines, task assignments, and inter-departmental coordination.

CRM & Automation:

• Sales Automation Tools: May be employed for lead nurturing, email follow-ups, and proposal distribution.

• Design Software Integrations: Understanding how design software integrates with order management or ERP systems could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack revolves around specialized design software. Candidates should highlight their proficiency in these tools and any experience with sales enablement or project coordination software that supports the end-to-end client and project lifecycle.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A primary focus on understanding and exceeding client expectations through exceptional design and service.

• Accuracy & Detail: A commitment to precision in design specifications, measurements, and order fulfillment to ensure project success and minimize errors.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork and effective communication across sales, design, purchasing, and operations departments to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency: A drive to optimize workflows, streamline processes, and deliver projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.

• Innovation: An openness to new design trends, product advancements, and technological tools that enhance client solutions and operational effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role necessitates seamless collaboration with internal teams, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of project objectives and timelines.

• Proactive Communication: A culture that encourages proactive updates, feedback, and problem-solving across departments to ensure smooth project progression.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment where team members share insights on design trends, product knowledge, and best practices to collectively elevate the team's expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely values a blend of creative expertise and operational discipline. Success in this role hinges on the ability to collaborate effectively across different functional areas, ensuring that creative design translates into smoothly executed projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Effectively merging client aesthetic desires with practical design limitations, budget restrictions, and structural requirements.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling numerous client engagements simultaneously, each with unique needs, timelines, and stakeholders, requiring strong organizational and time management skills.

• Interdepartmental Coordination: Navigating potential communication gaps or differing priorities between design, sales, and operations teams to ensure seamless project flow.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design trends, new product introductions, and technological advancements in design software.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in current design tools or learn new software applications.

• Product Knowledge Expansion: Continuous learning about new materials, finishes, and building products from vendors and through industry events.

• Sales & Negotiation Skills Development: Training to enhance closing techniques, client objection handling, and proposal negotiation.

• Project Management Fundamentals: Exposure to project management methodologies that can streamline workflow and improve project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of roles that bridge creative and operational functions. Growth opportunities focus on both deepening specialized skills and broadening expertise into project management and sales leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your typical process for designing a kitchen, from the initial client consultation to the final design presentation." (Prepare to detail client needs assessment, space analysis, material selection, software usage, and presentation methods).

• Software Proficiency: "Describe your experience with [mention specific software like 20/20 Design]. How have you used it to solve design challenges or present solutions to clients?" (Be ready to share specific examples and demonstrate technical skills).

• Sales & Client Management: "How do you handle a situation where a client's design vision conflicts with their budget or the space's limitations?" (Focus on your ability to negotiate, offer alternatives, and manage client expectations professionally).

• Collaboration: "Describe a time you had to work closely with an operations or purchasing team to ensure a project was executed correctly. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight your communication and problem-solving skills in a cross-functional context).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Skilled Trades Partners and this specific role?" (Research the company's mission, values, and market position. Connect your skills and aspirations to their needs).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest kitchen design trends and building materials?" (Showcase your proactive approach to continuous learning and industry awareness).

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you contribute to a collaborative team culture." (Emphasize your ability to work independently while also being a strong team player). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative. Start with the client's problem or goal, explain your solution and process, and conclude with the successful outcome.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality images and clear graphics. Ensure any technical drawings or software renderings are easy to understand.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to demonstrate impact (e.g., "increased client satisfaction by X%", "completed project Y% under budget," "reduced order errors by Z%").

• Focus on Process and Operations: While design is key, also highlight how you managed project timelines, coordinated with suppliers, and ensured accuracy in specifications – demonstrating your operational awareness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application of design skills, sales effectiveness, and operational collaboration. A well-prepared portfolio that showcases these aspects is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Kitchen and Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Skilled Trades Partners Breezy HR portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experience directly relevant to kitchen design, cabinetry sales, interior design, and proficiency with design software (e.g., 20/20 Design, ProKitchen). Quantify achievements whenever possible, focusing on sales figures, project completion success, and client satisfaction metrics.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a digital or physical portfolio that showcases 2-3 of your strongest kitchen design projects. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your design process, software skills, problem-solving abilities, and any instances of successful cross-functional collaboration or project coordination.

• Prepare for Design Software Demonstration: Be ready to discuss and potentially demonstrate your skills with common kitchen design software. Practice navigating the software and creating a basic layout or rendering.

• Research the Company: Visit the Skilled Trades Partners website and any associated client websites to understand their market, product offerings, and company culture. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the team, the role, and company growth.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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