Design Assistant Jobs in Novato, CA (NOW HIRING)

The Pro & Design (P&D) Sales role is a project-based retail sales position focused primarily on Kitchen & Bath and Millwork sales. Working from a showroom-style space on the retail sales floor, the P&D Sales Team Member delivers a consultative, sales-focused customer experience, guiding customers from idea to purchase by recommending solutions that best fit their project goals, budget, and timeline.  This role supports both Pro and retail customers, selling stock and special-order/configured products. The P&D Sales Team Member is responsible for driving sales through relationship-building, quoting, and closing, while managing projects from initial consultation through order fulfillment and delivery.  Success in this role requires building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with Friedman’s Pro customers, as well as collaborating closely with Inside and Outside Contractor Sales, Logistics, and other internal partners to ensure a seamless customer experience and successful project outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Sell and close sales on a project-oriented basis by utilizing expert level knowledge in Kitchen & Bath and/or Millwork products; through all sales avenues including, but not limited to, demonstrating products or related items to customers and presenting promotional sales, information and product facts/data
• Build and maintain relationships with customers by providing detailed information and updates on product availability, selection, order, and delivery status as well as general industry trends and knowledge
• Assist Pro customers in assigned area or phone inquiries in the most expeditious, accurate and courteous manner through our Core Values of Lead, Connect, Grow, Serve, Care, owning the lifecycle of the customer’s project from selection to delivery
• Utilize 3rd party configurator software to create quotes and place orders
• Seamlessly create, maintain management of open quotes, sales orders, and purchase orders to close out of orders in D365 and Backoffice for the Pro customer
• Be a subject matter expert in the Kitchen & Bath and/or Millwork products with the ability to identify and provide input on how to improve processes and procedures for these areas
• Identify current trends, products, area-related information and competitive prices through self-motivated research to be the expert within assigned area and ‘go to sales person’ for our Pro customers, giving feedback to Assistant Store Manager
• Qualify customers to determine the need for design services and act as the liaison that actively schedules initial meeting between the customer and a Kitchen & Bath Designer located in our Petaluma Design Center and Showroom
• Resolve  customer issues, including execution of solution, in partnership with Pro & Design Assistant Store Managers and Pro & Design Business Support Manager
• Train and develop Sales Techs I and II through teaching specialized product and program knowledge with the goal of developing Team Members’ Pro & Design Millwork and/or Kitchen & Bath knowledge
• Collaborate with store teams to ensure merchandise requested by customers is available, with the ability to obtain product from shelves, overheads or warehouse
• Maintain merchandising responsibilities such as re-facing, down stocking, cleaning and dusting to the expectation of ‘Grand Opening Ready’ on a daily basis in all assigned areas

• Collaborate with store leaders and Team Members to provide specialized Store Event support throughout scheduled yearly sales events
• Regular and predictable attendance
• All other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Accurately utilize the Company’s computer systems/programs such as D365 and 3rd Party configurators to perform functions, including, but not limited to:
  • Account/Order/Quote Lookup
  • Quote/Order entry
  • Returns
  • Quote Conversion
  • Price Recalculation/Configurators
  • Lookup functions in order to provide customer quotes
• Demonstrated ability to provide professional verbal and written communication with customers, Team Members, and the general public
• Utilize active listening skills to understand customer concerns, producing outcomes that solve complex issues through the alignment of Friedman’s Core Values
• Successfully manage multiple projects and work with Team Members and partners in a retail floor selling environment
• Consistently approach customers in a positive and professional manner while multi-tasking and working on a large volume of quotes and orders in all stages of the order lifecycle processes
• Work both independently and as part of a team, with a focus on taking initiative, and being proactive with all customers and sales
• Possess advanced knowledge of Friedman’s credit process, including types of accounts, account applications, prelims, farm tax exemption, resale, check guarantee, check/card approval, and what product is allowed to be purchased on a job account
• Possess general knowledge of Friedman’s delivery process and systems
• Work effectively with a variety of customers, including contractors, industry professionals, homeowners, within private and public-sector businesses

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED), training or education in construction management basic skills preferred.  Minimum 6 months’ experience working in a retail environment in a Sales Specialist or Sales Tech role.  Interest in advancing to a Kitchen & Bath Designer or Contractor Sales role in the future is preferred.

What’s in Friedman’s toolbox for Team Members:

• Employee discount on all merchandise
• Store bonus eligibility
• Team Member of the Quarter opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement to further career path
• 401(k)

This is a non-exempt position. Shifts are available in a multitude of full-time and part-time schedules according to a retail schedule of Sunday – Saturday, between 6:00am-9:00pm to meet business needs.  

Friedman’s Home Improvement is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Friedman’s Home Improvement will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal convictions in a manner consistent with AB 1008.