Showroom Design Consultant- Vernon Hills

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Showroom Design Consultant

Company: JC LICHT

Location: Vernon Hills, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Sales & Customer Service Operations

Date Posted: July 30, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on driving sales and providing exceptional customer experiences within a retail showroom environment, specifically for home decor products like paint, wallcoverings, and window treatments.

• It involves consultative selling, understanding client design needs, and translating those needs into actionable product selections and sales.

• The position requires a blend of customer service excellence, sales acumen, and a passion for interior design, with an emphasis on building client relationships and achieving departmental sales targets.

• Collaboration with an In-Home Services division is a key aspect, requiring coordination and appointment cultivation to expand service reach and customer engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Showroom Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and required skills strongly align with a Sales and Customer Service Operations role within a retail context. The emphasis is on consultative sales and client relationship management rather than pure operational process design or system implementation. The "operations" aspect lies in managing the customer journey from initial contact to sale and follow-up, ensuring efficient processes within the showroom.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding customer service throughout the entire design selection and purchasing process for paint, wallcoverings, and window treatments.

• Proactively engage with showroom visitors, identifying their design needs and offering expert advice to help them realize their vision.

• Consistently meet and exceed established sales goals for the home fashions department and individual store performance.

• Actively cultivate appointments for the In-Home Services division, fostering collaboration and synergy between showroom sales and in-home consultations.

• Build and nurture strong rapport with clients, securing repeat business and referrals through demonstrated product knowledge and exceptional interpersonal skills.

• Develop and maintain a robust customer base through consistent networking efforts and diligent client follow-up, ensuring satisfaction pre- and post-sale.

• Proficiently utilize the Point of Sale (POS) system for accurate quoting, transaction processing, and managing sales of paint, sundries, and decorative products.

• Maintain availability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate customer needs and peak business periods.

• Perform light physical tasks as required, such as moving product samples or light lifting, to maintain showroom presentation and operational flow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize client interaction, sales targets, and service coordination. The "operations" component is inherent in managing the customer flow, sales transaction processing, and inter-departmental collaboration (showroom to in-home services). The role requires a proactive approach to sales and client management within a retail operations framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While formal education in interior design is not a strict requirement, a strong passion for interior design, color theory, and home decor is essential. The company provides extensive product training.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in customer-facing roles, with a preference for experience in retail sales, design, or customer service environments. Proven ability to meet sales targets is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional customer service skills with a client-centric approach.

• Proven ability to engage customers and uncover their needs effectively.

• Demonstrated sales aptitude and a drive to achieve and exceed sales goals.

• Strong interpersonal skills for building rapport and client relationships.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, for clear client interaction and internal collaboration.

• Familiarity with or ability to quickly learn POS systems for sales transactions and quoting.

• Basic understanding of color consultation, window treatments, and wallcovering principles.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with colleagues.

• Adaptability to work evenings and weekends as required by business needs. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience in interior design, home furnishings, or a related creative field.

• Proven track record of successful client follow-up and customer base development.

• Knowledge of specific window treatment types, installation considerations, and complementary products.

• Experience with CRM functionalities for customer management and follow-up.

• Basic understanding of paint and sundries product lines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a balance between soft skills (customer service, communication, sales drive) and specific product/industry knowledge. The "0-2" experience level suggests that on-the-job training will be comprehensive, focusing on developing practical skills in design consultation and retail sales operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• While a formal portfolio is not explicitly required, candidates are encouraged to showcase examples of their design sensibility, color palettes, or past customer interactions that demonstrate their consultative approach. This could include mood boards, design sketches, or descriptions of successful client projects.

• Evidence of client engagement strategies and follow-up methods that have led to successful outcomes or repeat business.

• Demonstrations of how you have used product knowledge to solve customer design challenges.

• Examples of how you've utilized sales techniques or customer service best practices to achieve objectives. Process Documentation:

• Understanding of the sales cycle from initial customer engagement to transaction completion and post-sale follow-up.

• Ability to document customer preferences and design requirements accurately for internal use and potential In-Home Services referrals.

• Familiarity with workflow management for managing multiple client consultations and sales simultaneously.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this level, the "portfolio" is more about demonstrating aptitude and passion through examples rather than formal project documentation. The focus is on showcasing how a candidate approaches client interactions, problem-solving, and sales within a retail design context. The company provides training, so the emphasis is on foundational skills and potential.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $20 - $25 per hour.

This hourly rate is based on the provided salary data and reflects an entry-level to mid-level position within the retail sales and design consulting sector in the Vernon Hills, IL area.

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching: A retirement savings plan with company contributions.

• Health insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage for employees.

• Vision insurance: Coverage for eye care and eyewear.

• Dental insurance: Dental care benefits for employees.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for personal and work-related challenges.

• Life insurance: Financial protection for beneficiaries.

• Paid time off (PTO): Accrued time for vacation, sick leave, or personal days.

• Referral program: Incentives for referring successful candidates.

• Short Term Disability: Income protection for temporary inability to work due to illness or injury.

Working Hours: Full-time employment, typically requiring 40 hours per week. This includes a commitment to working evenings and weekends as necessary to meet business demands and customer availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for an hourly, on-site retail design consultant role in the specified region. The benefits package is robust, offering a comprehensive suite of protections and savings opportunities that are attractive to full-time employees. The working hours indicate a standard full-time commitment with flexibility required for retail operations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Paint & Decorating), Home Furnishings, Interior Design Services. JC Licht operates within the highly competitive Chicagoland home improvement and decor market, known for its long-standing presence and customer-centric approach. The company positions itself as a trusted advisor and local expert.

Company Size: JC Licht operates 62 locations across the greater Chicago Land area, indicating a medium-to-large retail chain with a significant operational footprint. This size suggests established processes, a structured support system, and opportunities for growth within the organization.

Founded: Established in 1907, JC Licht has a rich history and deep roots in the Chicagoland community. This longevity points to a stable company culture that likely values tradition, customer loyalty, and deep product expertise.

Team Structure:

• The Showroom Design Consultant is part of the store's sales team, working closely with other sales associates and reporting to a Store Manager or Showroom Manager.

• They collaborate with the In-Home Services division, which likely comprises dedicated designers and consultants who conduct appointments outside the showroom.

• The team structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, with the showroom acting as a lead generator and support hub for in-home consultations. Methodology:

• Customer Consultation: A primary methodology involves deeply understanding customer needs through active listening and guided questioning, followed by expert recommendations tailored to their specific project and aesthetic preferences.

• Sales Process Optimization: The team focuses on maximizing sales conversion rates through effective product presentation, rapport building, and efficient transaction processing.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A key operational methodology is the seamless handoff and collaboration between showroom sales and in-home services to provide a comprehensive customer solution.

Company Website: https://www.jclicht.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a blend of historical legacy, community focus, and a modern approach to customer service and sales in the home decor sector. The size and history suggest a stable, well-established organization that invests in its employees and customer relationships. The operational emphasis is on driving sales through consultative expertise and integrated service offerings.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an entry-level to junior consultant level within the retail sales and customer experience operations. It's a client-facing position focused on direct sales and customer engagement within a showroom environment. The responsibilities are centered on individual sales performance and customer satisfaction rather than strategic operations management or process design.

Reporting Structure: The Showroom Design Consultant typically reports to a Store Manager or Showroom Manager. This manager oversees daily store operations, sales performance, staff management, and ensures adherence to company policies and customer service standards.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on direct revenue generation for the store and the home fashions department. By effectively consulting with clients and closing sales, the consultant directly contributes to the company's financial performance and market presence. Additionally, by cultivating leads for the In-Home Services division, they influence broader company growth strategies and customer acquisition.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design Consultant / Sales Specialist: Progress to handling more complex design projects, larger sales, or specializing in specific product categories (e.g., high-end window treatments).

• In-Home Services Designer/Consultant: Transition to a role that involves in-home client consultations, requiring a greater degree of autonomy and on-site problem-solving.

• Assistant Store Manager / Showroom Manager: Advance into leadership roles, overseeing store operations, managing staff, driving sales performance, and contributing to strategic decisions for a specific location.

• Training and Development: Opportunities to deepen product knowledge, attend industry workshops, and potentially mentor new team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role focused on system optimization or process engineering, this position offers a clear growth path within retail sales and customer service operations. The progression opportunities are geared towards increasing sales responsibility, leadership, and specialized design consultation, providing a solid foundation for a career in retail management or specialized sales.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The work environment is a retail showroom. This typically involves a well-designed, customer-facing space showcasing a wide range of paint colors, wallcovering samples, and window treatment displays. It's a dynamic space that requires constant attention to presentation and organization.

Office Location(s): The specific location is 700 N. Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL 60010. This is a suburban retail setting, likely in a shopping plaza or commercial area easily accessible to the local community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The Showroom Design Consultant works alongside other sales associates, managers, and potentially designers from the In-Home Services team. This fosters a collaborative atmosphere focused on achieving store-wide sales goals and providing a cohesive customer experience.

• Product & Technology: The workspace is equipped with product samples, color swatches, design books, and a POS system. Access to design software or digital tools for visualization might also be available.

• Customer Interaction Focus: The primary focus of the workspace is customer interaction, requiring professionals to be welcoming, knowledgeable, and presentable at all times. The environment is built to inspire and assist customers in their design decisions.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position requiring approximately 40 hours per week. The schedule will include a mix of weekdays, evenings, and weekends to ensure showroom coverage during peak customer traffic times. Flexibility in scheduling is a key requirement for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is a customer-centric retail showroom, demanding strong interpersonal skills and a polished presentation. The operational aspect involves maintaining showroom standards, managing customer flow efficiently, and utilizing available tools to drive sales and customer satisfaction. The schedule requires adaptability common in retail operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Phone/Video Interview: A conversation with an HR representative or hiring manager to discuss background, motivations, and general fit for the role. This stage will likely explore your passion for design and customer service philosophy.

• In-Person Interview: This will likely involve meeting with the Store Manager or a senior team member at the Vernon Hills location. Be prepared to discuss your approach to customer interactions, sales techniques, and how you handle design challenges. You may be asked to walk through a simulated design consultation.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: While not explicitly stated, a practical assessment might be included where you’re asked to present design ideas for a hypothetical client scenario, demonstrate product knowledge, or handle a customer service challenge.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final discussion with a district manager or senior leadership to confirm fit and discuss terms of employment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Passion: If you have any visual examples of your design work (even personal projects, mood boards, or color palettes), be ready to share them. Focus on demonstrating your aesthetic sensibility and understanding of design principles.

• Highlight Customer Service Successes: Prepare specific anecdotes about times you provided exceptional customer service, resolved a difficult customer issue, or went above and beyond to meet a client's needs. Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g., "increased customer satisfaction by X%").

• Demonstrate Sales Acumen: Be ready to discuss your approach to consultative selling, how you identify customer needs, and how you overcome objections. Share examples of meeting or exceeding sales targets.

• Explain Your Process: Articulate how you would approach a typical client consultation in the showroom, from initial greeting to closing the sale and follow-up. Emphasize your structured yet adaptable approach.

• Research JC Licht: Understand their brand, product offerings, and customer base. Tailor your examples and responses to align with their known values and market position.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: Practice visualizing design solutions for common home decor challenges (e.g., small spaces, specific color schemes, functional window needs).

• Sales Pitch: Develop a concise and compelling "pitch" for a featured product or service, highlighting its benefits and how it meets customer needs.

• Customer Objection Handling: Prepare responses for common customer hesitations or objections related to price, style, or practicality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes assessing customer service skills, sales potential, and passion for design. Candidates should prepare to showcase their interpersonal abilities and design sensibility, even if they lack formal experience. The "portfolio" is less about formal documentation and more about demonstrating practical application of skills and passion.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Point of Sale (POS) System: Essential for processing transactions, generating quotes, managing inventory, and customer data. Proficiency in a retail POS system is a must.

• Product Catalogs & Samples: Extensive use of physical and potentially digital catalogs, swatch books, and display models for paint, wallcoverings, and window treatments.

• Measuring Tools: Basic measuring tapes and potentially digital tools for accurate window treatment measurements.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Reports: Understanding and utilizing daily, weekly, and monthly sales reports generated by the POS system to track performance against goals.

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with CRM principles for client tracking, follow-up reminders, and database management is beneficial for developing a customer base.

CRM & Automation:

• Communication Tools: Email, phone, and potentially internal messaging systems for customer follow-up and team collaboration.

• Scheduling Software: Potentially used for managing appointments, both within the showroom and for In-Home Services referrals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is typical for a retail environment, with a strong emphasis on the POS system for core transactional operations. The role requires practical application of these tools to manage sales, customer interactions, and operational efficiency. While advanced analytics or automation tools aren't primary, an understanding of how data from these systems informs sales strategy is valuable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A paramount value, emphasizing putting the customer's needs and satisfaction at the forefront of all interactions and decisions. This translates to providing expert advice and personalized service.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality products and services, reflected in the expertise provided and the lasting results for clients' homes. JC Licht aims for "radically excellent" service.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: The company fosters a family-like atmosphere where team members support each other to achieve collective success. This includes seamless cooperation between showroom staff and in-home service providers.

• Integrity & Trust: Building long-term relationships with customers and the community through honest advice and reliable service, a value reinforced by the company's long history.

• Passion for Design: Encouraging enthusiasm and creativity in design, empowering employees to share their passion and inspire customers.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The Showroom Design Consultant is expected to work closely with the In-Home Services team, acting as a bridge to facilitate lead generation and customer handoffs. This requires clear communication and a shared understanding of customer needs.

• Feedback & Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages sharing insights from customer interactions to improve product offerings, sales processes, and service delivery.

• Knowledge Sharing: Team members are expected to share product knowledge and design insights to collectively enhance the expertise available to customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be deeply rooted in customer-centricity, quality, and a collaborative, family-like environment. These values are critical for success in a client-facing role where building trust and providing expert guidance are key. The emphasis on "audacious" and "radically excellent" suggests a culture that encourages ambition and high standards in service delivery.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Meeting Sales Targets: Consistently achieving or exceeding ambitious sales goals in a competitive retail market requires strong sales skills, product knowledge, and effective client management.

• Balancing Multiple Client Needs: Managing consultations, sales, and follow-ups for several clients simultaneously while maintaining high service quality can be demanding.

• Translating Vision to Reality: Effectively understanding a client's abstract design ideas and translating them into concrete product selections that meet their needs and budget.

• Staying Current with Trends: Keeping up-to-date with the latest interior design trends, color palettes, and product innovations in paint, wallcoverings, and window treatments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Product Training: Comprehensive and ongoing training on JC Licht's extensive product lines, including paint, wallcoverings, and custom window treatments.

• Sales & Customer Service Skills: Development through on-the-job coaching, workshops, and exposure to best practices in consultative selling and customer relationship management.

• Design Principles: Opportunities to learn and apply principles of color theory, space planning, and interior design through experience and potentially formal company-provided resources.

• Career Advancement: Clear paths for growth into senior sales roles, specialized design positions, or management opportunities within the JC Licht retail network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a retail sales role focused on design and customer service. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering a structured career path within the company, with a strong emphasis on developing practical skills and product expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Client Consultation Approach: "Describe your process for understanding a client's design needs and guiding them through product selection for a project like custom window treatments or a whole room repaint." Focus on active listening, questioning techniques, and problem-solving.

• Sales Goal Achievement: "How have you approached meeting or exceeding sales targets in previous roles? Can you provide an example of a time you successfully converted a hesitant customer or upsold a product?" Highlight your sales strategy and customer persuasion skills.

• Handling Design Challenges: "Imagine a client is unsure about color choices or has conflicting ideas for their space. How would you help them resolve this and make a confident decision?" Emphasize your ability to offer solutions and build confidence.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Passion for Design: "What is it about interior design and home decor that excites you? How do you stay inspired by design trends?" Connect your personal interest to the company's offerings.

• Customer Service Philosophy: "What does exceptional customer service mean to you, especially in a retail design setting like JC Licht?" Align your philosophy with the company's emphasis on "radically excellent" service.

• Teamwork Experience: "Describe a time you collaborated effectively with a team to achieve a common goal, perhaps in a sales or customer service context." Showcase your ability to work well with others.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Visual Aids: If you have created mood boards, color palettes, or sketches of design ideas, be prepared to share them. Focus on clarity and demonstrating your understanding of design principles.

• Storytelling: For customer service or sales examples, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Clearly articulate the context, your role, the steps you took, and the positive outcome.

• Product Knowledge Demonstration: Be ready to discuss your understanding of different types of window treatments, paint finishes, or wallcovering materials, and how you would explain their benefits to a customer.

• Enthusiasm & Fit: Convey your genuine excitement for interior design and your eagerness to contribute to the JC Licht team. Show how your personality and approach align with their company culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating passion for design, strong customer service skills, and a proactive sales approach. Candidates should be ready to provide concrete examples of their abilities and align their responses with JC Licht's brand values and operational focus on customer satisfaction and sales growth.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Showroom Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the JC Licht careers portal.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight any experience in customer service, sales, retail, or design. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Exceeded sales targets by 15%"). Emphasize strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Prepare your portfolio (if applicable): Gather any visual examples of design work, successful customer interactions, or sales achievements you can share. Even personal projects demonstrating design sensibility are valuable.

• Practice your interview responses: Prepare to discuss your passion for interior design, your customer service approach, how you handle sales, and your understanding of JC Licht's brand. Rehearse anecdotes using the STAR method.

• Research JC Licht: Familiarize yourself with their history, product lines, and customer testimonials to demonstrate your genuine interest and understanding of their business and values.

⚠️ 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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