Furniture Designer/ Installer and Sales Representative

Full Job Description

Job Title: Furniture Design, Sales & Installation Specialist

Department: Design & Client Solutions

Reports To: Sales & Design Manager

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and versatile individual to join our dynamic team as a Furniture Design, Sales & Installation Specialist. This multi-faceted role requires a unique blend of creative design expertise, strong sales acumen, and practical installation skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for guiding clients through the entire furniture lifecycle, from initial concept and design to successful sales conversion and flawless installation. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about furniture, dedicated to client satisfaction, and eager to contribute to a growing business.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

1. Innovative Furniture Design & Visualization:

• Conceptualization & Customization: Proactively engage with clients to thoroughly understand their unique furniture requirements, design preferences, spatial constraints, and budgetary considerations. Translate these insights into innovative and highly functional furniture designs that meet both aesthetic and practical needs.
• Technical Design & Drafting: Produce detailed and accurate design drawings, including floor plans, elevations, and sections, utilizing industry-standard CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MicroStation) and 3D visualization tools (e.g., SketchUp, 3ds Max, Blender, Revit). Ensure all technical specifications are clearly documented.
• Material & Finish Selection: Leverage extensive knowledge of furniture materials (e.g., various wood species, metals, laminates, upholstery fabrics, glass), finishes (e.g., stains, paints, veneers, powder coatings), and color palettes to recommend suitable options that align with client aesthetics, durability requirements, and budget. Provide samples and explain the pros and cons of different choices.
• Prototyping & Mock-ups (where applicable): Collaborate with the production team on potential prototyping or mock-ups to validate designs and material choices before full-scale production, ensuring client satisfaction with the final product.

2. Sales & Client Engagement Excellence:

• Consultative Sales Approach: Actively engage with prospective and existing customers, both within our showroom environment and through professional site visits, to understand their specific furniture needs, lifestyle, and design aspirations. Offer tailored and comprehensive furniture solutions that address these requirements.
• Quotation & Proposal Development: Prepare detailed, transparent, and competitive quotations and proposals, clearly outlining design specifications, material choices, pricing, lead times, and terms and conditions.
• Presentation & Persuasion: Develop and deliver compelling presentations to clients, effectively showcasing design concepts, material options, and the value proposition of our furniture solutions. Articulate design rationale and benefits with confidence and clarity.
• Sales Target Achievement: Consistently strive to meet or exceed established sales targets through effective communication, persuasive negotiation techniques, proactive lead generation, and diligent relationship building with clients.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all client interactions, sales opportunities, and project statuses within the company’s CRM system to ensure seamless follow-up and personalized service.

3. Furniture Installation & On-Site Expertise:

• Professional Delivery & Installation: Oversee and personally execute the professional delivery and installation of furniture at client locations. This includes careful handling of products, precise assembly, and meticulous placement to ensure proper fit, alignment, and optimal functionality.
• Site Measurement & Adjustment: Accurately measure site dimensions and critical spaces prior to installation. Be prepared to make necessary on-site adjustments, modifications, or problem-solving to ensure a perfect fit and seamless integration of furniture into the client’s environment.
• Quality & Safety Assurance: Ensure all installations strictly adhere to our company’s high-quality standards, safety protocols, and aesthetic guidelines. Conduct thorough post-installation checks to confirm client satisfaction and product integrity.
• Coordination & Logistics: Effectively coordinate with internal logistics teams, the production department, and client schedules to ensure timely delivery, efficient installation, and minimal disruption to the client. Proactively communicate any potential delays or issues.

4. Post-Sales Support & Market Awareness:

• After-Sales Service & Follow-up: Provide exceptional after-sales service, addressing any client inquiries, concerns, or issues promptly and professionally. Conduct follow-up calls or visits to ensure long-term client satisfaction and foster repeat business.
• Market Intelligence: Continuously research and maintain up-to-date knowledge of current furniture trends, emerging designs, new product innovations, material advancements, and competitor offerings within the industry. Share insights with the design and sales teams.
• Sales & Order Management: Maintain meticulous records of all sales transactions, customer orders, project statuses, and valuable customer feedback to inform future strategies and product development.

5. Collaborative & Strategic Contributions:

• Production Liaison: Act as a crucial link between design and production, ensuring that all design specifications are accurately translated and communicated to the manufacturing team for flawless execution.
• Marketing Support: Actively support marketing initiatives, including assisting with showroom displays, participating in product demonstrations, contributing to promotional events, and providing content for marketing materials.
• Reporting & Feedback: Regularly report on project progress, communicate client concerns, and provide detailed sales performance analysis to management, offering insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Educational Background: A Diploma or Degree in a relevant field such as Furniture Design, Interior Design, Industrial Design, Carpentry, Cabinet Making, Architecture, Marketing, or a closely related discipline.
• Proven Experience: Demonstrated professional experience (minimum 2-3 years preferred) in one or more of the following areas:
  • Furniture design and technical drafting.
  • Furniture installation, assembly, and on-site modifications.
  • Direct furniture sales and client relationship management.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MicroStation) and 3D visualization/rendering software (e.g., SketchUp, 3ds Max, Blender, Revit). Experience with rendering engines (e.g., V-Ray, Corona) is a plus.
• Design Acumen: Strong understanding of design principles, aesthetics, ergonomics, material properties, and construction methods relevant to furniture.
• Sales & Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, and presentation skills. Ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with diverse clients.
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Excellent problem-solving abilities, particularly in on-site situations requiring quick thinking and practical solutions. Ability to adapt to changing client needs and project requirements.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in design, sales proposals, and installation execution.
• Physical Demands: Ability to perform physical tasks associated with furniture installation, including lifting, carrying, assembling, and working with tools.
• Driver’s License: A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record are often required for site visits and deliveries.
• Team Player: Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Customer-Centric Mindset: A genuine passion for delivering exceptional customer service and exceeding client expectations.

Essential Qualifications and Core Competencies:

The ideal candidate for this multifaceted role will possess a comprehensive understanding of various facets of interior design and fabrication. This includes in-depth knowledge of diverse materials, ranging from natural hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry, to more exotic veneers, laminates, and composite materials. A keen awareness of their properties, applications, and aesthetic contributions is crucial. Furthermore, a strong grasp of different finishes – such as stains, varnishes, lacquers, paints, and protective coatings – and their impact on durability, appearance, and maintenance, is expected. This extends to an understanding of specialized techniques like distressing, glazing, and antiquing to achieve specific design aesthetics. Finally, a thorough familiarity with furniture production processes is paramount, encompassing everything from initial conceptualization and material selection to joinery techniques, assembly, and quality control. This includes understanding the lifecycle of a piece, from raw material to finished product, and identifying potential efficiencies or challenges in the manufacturing pipeline.

Technical Acumen and Design Prowess:

Proficiency in industry-standard design and visualization software is non-negotiable. This includes expert-level command of programs such as AutoCAD for precise technical drawings and architectural layouts, SketchUp for rapid 3D modeling and conceptualization, and SolidWorks or similar parametric modeling software for detailed mechanical design and rendering. The ability to translate client visions into tangible, accurate digital representations, complete with material textures, lighting, and spatial context, is a core requirement. Experience with rendering engines and presentation tools to create compelling visual proposals will also be highly valued.

Interpersonal and Client-Centric Skills:

Exceptional communication, negotiation, and customer service skills are vital for success in this client-facing position. This encompasses the ability to actively listen to client needs, articulate design concepts clearly and persuasively, and manage expectations effectively throughout the project lifecycle. Strong negotiation skills are essential for managing budgets, addressing changes, and ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes. A customer-centric approach, characterized by responsiveness, professionalism, and a commitment to exceeding client satisfaction, is paramount to building lasting relationships and fostering repeat business.

Practical Application and Hands-On Capability:

A critical aspect of this role involves a hands-on ability to perform on-site installations and measurements. This requires a practical understanding of construction principles, spatial awareness, and the dexterity to accurately measure spaces, identify potential obstacles, and precisely fit custom pieces. The candidate should be comfortable using hand and power tools, ensuring installations are completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality. This includes the ability to troubleshoot minor issues that may arise during the installation process and make on-the-spot adjustments.

Personal Attributes and Professional Ethos:

A meticulous attention to detail is absolutely essential, as even the smallest oversight can impact the functionality or aesthetics of a design. This extends to precision in measurements, material selection, finish application, and final installation. Coupled with this, a strong sense of creativity is expected, allowing for innovative design solutions and the ability to think outside the box to meet unique client demands. Finally, a results-driven attitude is crucial, demonstrating a commitment to meeting deadlines, achieving project goals, and consistently delivering high-quality outcomes.

Logistical Requirements:

A valid driver’s license is preferred, as the role frequently involves travel to client sites, workshops, and potentially trade shows. This ensures the ability to transport tools, materials, and personal equipment as needed.

Dynamic Work Environment:

This role operates within a dynamic and varied work environment. It will involve time spent in a professional office or showroom setting, where design conceptualization, client consultations, and administrative tasks are performed. Simultaneously, a significant portion of time will be dedicated to a workshop environment, overseeing or participating in the fabrication process, ensuring quality control, and collaborating with production teams. Crucially, the role also demands frequent presence at client sites, conducting measurements, managing installations, and presenting design proposals. This blend requires both desk work, focused on design, sales, and project management, and significant physical installation work, which can be demanding and requires a level of stamina and practical skill. Furthermore, the role may include occasional travel to client locations or trade shows, both locally and potentially out of town, to foster client relationships, source new materials, and stay abreast of industry trends. This varied environment necessitates adaptability, strong organizational skills, and the ability to seamlessly transition between different tasks and locations.

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