Entry Level Interior Design Assistant Jobs in Fort Wayne, IN

Named America's #1 Premium Furniture Retailer by Newsweek, Ethan Allen is a leading interior design destination combining state-of-the-art technology with personal service. After more than 90 profitable years in business, we still make about 75% of our custom-crafted products in our North American workshops and have an enduring reputation for quality and craftsmanship. In our global network of Design Centers, we offer complimentary interior design service and sell a full range of home furnishings, including custom furniture and artisan-crafted accents for every room in the home. We believe our associates are our greatest brand ambassadors, and we value talent, entrepreneurial drive, and the ability to build long-lasting relationships with our clients. We're glad you're exploring the possibility of designing your future with us.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES         

The Associate Design Consultant role is intended to be an entry level role that should transition to a Design Consultant role within 6 months of hire (“training period”). 

During this training period, the Associate Design Consultant will work closely with Design Consultant(s) to develop both selling and interior design skills, The focus of the role will be to learn (1) the technology utilized by Design Consultants; and (2) the products offered by Ethan Allen, while providing ongoing assistance as required to support sales activity within the Design Center.

Upon conclusion of the training period, Retail management will determine whether the Associate Design Consultant (1) will be promoted into the Design Consultant role; (2) will require a short extension of the training period (not to exceed 3 months); or (3) will be terminated due to inability to achieve the desired performance levels that would warrant a promotion to a Design Consultant.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• When a Design Consultant is unavailable, professionally greet customers to establish rapport, offer assistance including limited design-related consultation and sales transactions such as take-with and direct ship accent sales, including wrapping and packaging client purchases, as well as limited furniture sales under the direction of unit management.
• Assist Design Consultants (as assigned by management) with project development, including attending home calls, preparing space plans, product selection, preparing quotes, creating sketches and renderings, setting up and dismantling presentations, preparing custom soft goods quotes, offering assistance and hospitality during presentations, and assisting clients when their requested Design Consultant is unavailable.
• Educate customers about the complimentary design service Ethan Allen provides, offering as little or as much design service as a customer desires.
• Stay current on design and color trends to create fashionable design solutions.
• Utilizing the rotation system, introduce qualified prospects to Design Consultants via in-person introduction or “set up” by describing DC’s skills and referring customer to their online bio/portfolio; or by scheduling in-studio appointments and/or in-home consultations for Design Consultants (whether DC is present or not)
• Enter orders and quotes utilizing the retail point of sale system.
• Communicate with clients regarding appointments and order status via telephone & email.
• Participate as required in all corporate sponsored marketing and training programs.
• Educate customers on all the Ethan Allen sponsored finance options available to them.
• Utilize corporate systems and technology to maximize efficiency in designing projects, creating presentations, and providing professional service for customers.
• Operate the information desk including answering phones, providing customer service, and managing rotation system.
• Provide support to visual merchandiser in replenishing stock to the floor as well as receiving inventory to the design center. Bar-coding and tagging as needed.
• Assist in daily maintenance of floor displays. Work cooperatively in maintaining a neat and orderly Design Center projection.
• Assist Design Consultants with clerical needs. Maintain up-to-date files, filing, updating price page or follow-up correspondence.
• Provide exceptional service to customers, before and after the sale, by promptly keeping customers informed of their order status including any delays.
• Update master and design center price pages and product books and samples.
• Order memo fabric swatches for design consultant’s clients and distribute to Design Consultants when they arrive.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Must work overtime hours as needed.

Additional Responsibilities that may be required depending on location: 

• Ensure all cash transactions, including charge cards and bank deposits, are reconciled, properly deposited, and accurately recorded in the ledger. Process blind cash balancing and exceptions. Maintain Petty Cash. Perform clerical duties required for daily function of business. Run end of day reports, checks for signatures and other audit requirements.
• Follow-up on clerical orders, delayed orders as necessary to insure timely and appropriate service to staff members and clients.
• Perform cancelations, and merchandise returns, and any other duties as required.
• Follow-up service, etc. between the service center and the design center staff.
• Review and control open order reports and workroom logs. Communicate to design teams as needed.
• Manage incoming communication from customers. Research and resolve customer inquiries in accordance with company guidelines. Monitor customer problems and identify recurring issues and trends.
• Handle incoming customer service request and forward information to Customer Service Department and identify unrecorded delivered sales and implement procedures to prevent future Occurrences.
• Identify custom orders of soft goods and non-EA product, forward copies to an OA for processing.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Interior Design or related field from an accredited institution.

Experience:  Previous internship or experience with a professional design firm or design-retail organization. Minimum two (2) years’ experience in retail sales preferred.

Other Requirements:  Strong sales & organizational skills.  Ability to work with others. Positive attitude, stylish professional appearance, and high energy with a desire to learn the business. Position requires a valid driver’s license, except in limited circumstances in which the associate can establish to the Company’s satisfaction that they have available for use during all business hours an alternate means of transportation not requiring the operation of a motor vehicle which will enable them to perform the duties of their position.

Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays listed on the incentive plan.

Compensation

The hourly rate for this position ranges from $20.00 to $24.00, depending on experience.  In addition, the Associate Design Consultant can earn a monthly incentive.

Benefits

Benefits are an important part of the total compensation that is offered, providing peace of mind and financial well-being.  Ethan Allen is committed to offering a variety of benefits that allow associates to choose whether or not to participate based on personal and family needs.  Some of the benefits offered are 401(k) plan (with Employer contributions), multiple Medical Plans with Prescription Drug Coverage, Health Savings Account (including Employer contributions), Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Basic Group Term Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Supplemental Group Term Life & AD&D Insurance, Dependent Group Term Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability, Business Travel Accident Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Health Care & Dependent Care, Commuter Saving Plans – Public Transit & Parking, Voluntary Whole Life Insurance, Voluntary Critical Care Insurance, Voluntary Accident Insurance and Employee Assistance Program. Benefit availability varies based on full-time or part-time employee classification.