Sales and Design Associate

Job Title and Location Sales & Design Associate – Merridian Home Furnishings Location: Louisville, KY (Linn Station Road showroom) Employment Type: Full-Time (Weekends required) About Merridian Merridian Home Furnishings is a specialty home furnishings retailer known for curated furniture, custom upholstery, and layered, livable interiors, with showrooms in Louisville and Nashville. For nearly 30 years, we’ve helped clients create beautiful, comfortable homes with a personalized, design‑driven approach. Role Overview The Sales & Design Associate is a client‑facing role that blends retail sales with interior styling and basic space planning. You’ll guide customers through furniture and fabric selections, propose cohesive room schemes, and support the day‑to‑day operations of the showroom. Key Responsibilities Welcome clients, build rapport, and provide a warm, engaging in‑store experience that reflects Merridian’s brand. Listen to clients’ needs and translate them into thoughtful product and design recommendations (furniture, rugs, lighting, textiles, décor). Create simple space plans and room layouts, and assist with scale, proportion, and flow for living, dining, bedroom, and entry spaces. Guide customers through custom upholstery selections, including frames, fabrics, finishes, and trim, ensuring both style and function are addressed. Maintain an inspiring showroom by refreshing vignettes, styling accessories, and supporting merchandising changes as new product arrives. Handle retail basics: ringing sales, writing special orders, processing holds and returns, and accurately entering customer and product information in the POS. Communicate professionally with vendors and the operations team regarding lead times, product details, and order status when needed. Participate in inventory‑related tasks such as tagging, restocking the floor, and keeping the showroom tidy and organized. Support store events, designer outreach, and programs that connect Merridian with the local design community. Qualifications Background in interior design, interior architecture, or a related field (degree, coursework, or equivalent real‑world experience). 2+ years of experience in retail sales, showroom sales, or residential design, preferably in furniture, décor, or a related category. Strong eye for color, scale, and composition, with confidence pulling together fabrics, finishes, and furnishings into cohesive schemes. Comfortable reading room measurements and working with basic floor plans; experience with space planning software is a plus. Excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to educate clients in a friendly, approachable way. Organized and detail‑oriented, with the ability to manage multiple clients, follow up on orders, and track details accurately. Positive attitude and fun, team‑oriented personality; willing to jump in and help with whatever the showroom needs that day. Availability to work weekends and key retail periods, with some flexibility for events and seasonal needs. What We Offer Opportunity to work hands‑on with beautiful, design‑driven furniture and décor in a creative showroom environment. A collaborative team that values both sales performance and genuine, long‑term client relationships. Competitive hourly pay plus sales‑based incentives (structure tailored to store goals and designer program). Strong employee discount on Merridian merchandise. #J-18808-Ljbffr Merridian LLC