Retail Design Specialist

Location: 3232 Lake Ave Suite 1, Wilmette, IL 60091

Overview:
As a Retail Design Specialist, you’ll play a key role in bringing Wayfair’s home design vision to life, helping customers create spaces they love. Combining your interior design expertise with strong sales acumen, you’ll provide tailored design solutions—whether assisting with furniture selections, fabric and finish choices, or complete room layouts. Through in-store, virtual, and in-home appointments, you will guide customers through their design journey, offering expert recommendations that align with their style, budget, and functional needs.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced retail environment, leveraging design software, product knowledge, and trend awareness to create compelling presentations and drive store growth. You’ll be expected to build strong relationships with customers and collaborate closely with your team to enhance the overall shopping experience. If you’re passionate about design, customer service, and exceeding sales goals, this is the perfect opportunity to be part of an innovative and growing retail brand.

What Does A Retail Design Specialist Do?

• Engage and Inspire Customers: Provide an authentic, friendly customer experience that exemplifies our Wayfair commitment to relentless customer focus by conducting virtual, in-store, and in-home appointments.
• Use Design Expertise: Leverage your interior design and sales expertise to guide customers through their shopping journey, offering expert recommendations tailored to style, budget, and functionality.
• Embody a Curious Design Mindset: Actively engage customers by asking thoughtful questions about their style preferences, inspiration sources, and functional needs—exploring elements like mood boards, lifestyle considerations, favorite colors, and past design influences to create a personalized and inspiring experience.
• Educate on Renovation Solutions: Educate customers on fabric and finish characteristics, highlighting durability, texture, and market trends using both digital and physical swatches.
• Utilize Design and Sales Tools: Leverage design software, sales analytics, and industry knowledge to create 2D/3D room views and compelling presentations that drive store growth.
• Time Management: Efficiently manage time between design appointments and sales floor interactions, prioritizing customer experience while maintaining open communication with leadership.
• Adapt to Dynamic Environments: Thrive in a fast-paced setting with rapidly changing products, promotions, and customer needs, maintaining a high level of focus and energy.
• Always Be Selling (ABS): You will pro-actively see each customer interaction as an opportunity to generate new design leads, build customer rapport, and generate new sales to ensure we are meeting or exceeding sales goals.
• Contribute to Team Success: Support store operations through floor sets, replenishments, and substitutions while sharing innovative ideas to enhance team performance.

What are the Requirements?

• Sales Experience: 2+ years of sales experience, including high price-point products, preferably in a design-related retail setting. Experience in interior, architectural, or graphic design with a strong understanding of design principles such as spatial planning, fabric selection, and style trends
• Design Experience: 1+ year of experience in interior, architectural, or graphic design with a strong understanding of design principles such as spatial planning, fabric selection, and style trends.
• Open Availability: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to meet customer and business needs.
• Technical Proficiency: Ability to learn and leverage design software, sales tools, and CRM/POS systems such as Salesforce. Prior experience using AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, DesignFiles, or similar design software is a plus.
• Collaboration and Adaptability: Proven success in a team-based sales environment, with a strong ability to build relationships and work cross-functionally.
• Strong Ability to Communicate and Adapt: Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills with a previous track record of thriving in a fast-paced, ever-evolving retail setting.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or college diploma equivalent preferred.

Additional Physical and Environmental