Design Sales Associate-Part Time |West Elm |Atherton Mill

About the position

The Design Studio Specialist role at West Elm focuses on driving sales and achieving sales goals by connecting customers with the brand and its design offerings. This role involves inspiring both associates and customers by sharing design trends, inspiration, and local resources that align with the brand's eclectic, creative, and modern spirit. The specialist will develop and manage relationships with clients, designers, developers, local businesses, and artisans. A key aspect of the role is prioritizing the customer experience and collaborating with the team to ensure adequate selling floor coverage for in-store or in-home appointments. The specialist will discover each customer's style through conversation, sharing inspiration, and consulting to understand their needs and bring their story to life. This includes sharing decorating expertise, developing thoughtful space plans, advising on external design resources, and sharing the stories behind the products. The role also involves creating vision boards, floor plans, and mood boards to help customers express their personal style at home.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales & achieve sales goals per hour, by connecting customers to you & West Elm
• Inspire associates & customers by connecting them to design trends, inspiration & local resources that reflect the eclectic, creative & modern spirit of the brand
• Develop & manage relationships with clients, designers, developers, local businesses & artisans
• Prioritize the customer & collaborate with your team to ensure adequate selling floor coverage during in-store or in-home appointments
• Discover each customers’ style by sparking conversation, sharing inspiration & consulting with them to learn how to bring their story to life
• Share decorating expertise & develop thoughtful space plans that fit the customers’ lifestyle
• Advise customers on where to access design resources for products & services that may be unavailable at west elm (wallpaper, appliances, re-upholsterer, etc)
• Share the stories, collaborations & craft behind our products to bring them to life for our customer
• Develop vision boards, floorplans & utilize mood boards to help customers express their personal style at home

Requirements

• 1-2 years of home furnishing, interior decorating experience and/or interior design education
• Excellent communication skills & passion for working with people
• Excitement for the brand & products we sell
• Must be able to spend ample time on the sales floor focusing on customer needs
• Willingness to travel for in-home consultations. (If driving your personal vehicle, proof of the state required auto liability insurance or proof of financial responsibility & a state issued driver’s license)
• Must be able to lift & mobilize medium to large items, up to 75 lbs., while utilizing appropriate equipment & safety techniques
• Part time associates must be available to work a minimum of two regularly scheduled shifts on the weekend (Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday) and two during the week (Monday to Thursday). Associates must be available for annual inventory and entire holiday season (November and December).
• Weekend availability cannot fall on the same day; an associate must be available on two separate days (Friday and Saturday, Friday and Sunday or Saturday and Sunday). If preferred, an associate can also choose to have all three shifts of availability on the weekend (Friday to Sunday) and none during the week (Monday to Thursday).

Nice-to-haves

• Love to sell, can articulate a proven ability to exceed selling goals & most importantly can close a sale
• Succeed in a team environment, while able to work independently & manage your own time
• Enjoy being hands-on with product & functions well both in-store & in the customers’ home
• Recognize that every customer has individualized needs & aesthetics & can cater your designs accordingly
• Thrive in an entrepreneurial environment & are constantly looking for ways to think outside-the-box
• Have an obsession for interior decorating, architecture, art, creativity, craft, artisans & neighborhood’s treasures
• Keep your finger on the pulse of design trends both globally & in your local community
• Know what questions to ask your customers in order to understand their personal style & needs

Benefits

• A generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
• Paid vacations and holidays (full-time)
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits (full-time)
• Individual development plans and career pathing conversations
• Annual performance appraisals
• Cross-brand and cross-functional career opportunities
• Online learning opportunities through brand specific resources and WSI University
• Leadership development opportunities