Kitchen & Bath Designer

Position Summary

The Kitchen & Bath Designer is a client-facing design and sales professional who owns projects end-to-end, from initial consultation through final design presentation, sale, and handoff to installation. This role combines strong design and technical skill with sales discipline, process consistency, and a degree of team leadership - mentoring less experienced designers, helping refine department process, and contributing directly to trade partner relationships and the department's growth. While rooted in kitchen and bath, the scope of this role extends to any space where cabinetry and custom millwork are part of the solution - including closets, mudrooms, laundry rooms, home offices, wet bars, built-ins, and other cabinetry-driven spaces.

This role typically runs 40-45 hours per week. The responsibilities below capture the heart of the job, but they're likely to evolve as our department grows - the employer may adjust or add to these duties over time based on business needs.

Key Responsibilities

Client Consultation & Design Development

• Conduct in-showroom or in-home consultations to understand each client's needs, lifestyle, and budget.
• Develop functional, aesthetically compelling designs for kitchens, baths, and any other space within the department's cabinetry-driven scope of services.
• Prepare accurate specifications, material selections, and detailed drawings using industry-standard design software.
• Present design concepts and proposals in a polished, professional manner consistent with our standards.
• Develop sophisticated design solutions for challenging spaces, budgets, or client requirements.

Sales & Client Experience

• Guide clients through the department's standardized design-to-sell workflow, ensuring a consistent experience from first contact to close.
• Prepare accurate, timely quotes and proposals, and follow up promptly to maintain momentum toward a sale.
• Maintain accurate CRM records for leads, opportunities, and follow-ups so no client is missed.
• Meet or exceed individual sales targets established with the Department Manager.
• Model and apply effective sales technique, lead qualification, and follow-up discipline to reduce sales cycle length and improve conversion.

Project Coordination & Handoff

• Ensure a smooth, accurate handoff from sale to the project management and installation team through complete, organized documentation.
• Collaborate with project management and installation staff to resolve pre-installation questions and support field measurements as needed.
• Respond to client concerns quickly and professionally to protect satisfaction and long-term loyalty.
• Serve as an escalation point for design or client-experience issues that require additional expertise or judgment.

Mentorship & Quality Standards

• Mentor and coach less experienced designers on design solutions, sales approach, and adherence to department process.
• Review designs, specifications, and proposals produced by other designers for accuracy and quality before client presentation, as needed.
• Help onboard new designers into the department's tools, templates, and standard workflow.

Process, Product Knowledge & Trade Partners

• Follow, and help refine, department-standard processes, templates, and tools to ensure consistency across every client interaction.
• Maintain current knowledge of product lines, design trends, and vendor offerings across the full scope of cabinetry-driven spaces.
• Take an active role in cultivating and maintaining key trade partner relationships, supporting favorable pricing, consistent quality, and reliable supply.
• Identify recurring sources of error, miscommunication, or delay and recommend process improvements to the Department Manager.

Growth & Culture

• Identify opportunities to expand the department's product and service offerings and grow revenue from existing and new customers.
• Support lead generation through networking, referrals, and strategic partnerships, including representing the department at industry or community events.
• Contribute to a department culture that treats challenges as opportunities and celebrates achievements, and help set teammates up for success.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in kitchen and bath design, cabinetry/millwork design, or a related consultative design-sales role, with a demonstrated record of strong sales performance.
• NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) certification preferred.
• NCIDQ certification a bonus.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or informally leading other designers or junior staff.
• Deep product knowledge across multiple lines and categories; established trade partner relationships are a plus.
• Proficiency with design software such as 2020 Design, Chief Architect, or AutoCAD.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to think about department-wide growth, not only individual sales.
• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field preferred, or equivalent experience.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means clients consistently receive the same high-quality experience across every project type within our scope of services, sales targets are met or exceeded, projects transition smoothly to installation with minimal errors or rework, other designers are growing in skill and confidence under this person's mentorship, and this designer is actively contributing to the department's process, trade relationships, and overall growth alongside the Department Manager.