Lead Sales Representative

Salary: Competitive, based on Experience 

Position Overview: The Antique and Artisan Gallery is a premier destination for distinctive antiques, fine art, and decorative objects where exceptional design meets storied craftsmanship. We are seeking an articulate, dynamic, and retail-savvy Retail Sales Representative – Trade & Gallery Relations to join our team.

This is a hands-on, retail-forward role centered on the gallery sales floor, blending walk-in luxury retail customer service with active trade outreach. You will act as a primary host and brand ambassador, guiding retail shoppers, interior designers, architects, and private collectors through our curated collections. The ideal candidate pairs strong retail sales acumen and point-of-sale efficiency with an appreciation for antiques, craftsmanship, and interior design.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Sales & Gallery Experience

• Welcome walk-in retail shoppers, collectors, and design professionals with warmth, polished etiquette, and exceptional hospitality.
• Guide clients across the sales floor, sharing knowledgeable perspectives on provenance, period, craftsmanship, and how individual pieces can live in contemporary interiors.
• Actively drive retail sales to meet gallery goals while maintaining high service standards.
• Maintain an immaculate gallery floor presentation to support visual merchandising, inventory organization, and tag/signage accuracy.

Trade Relations & Account Cultivation

• Proactively identify and develop relationships with interior designers, decorators, architects, and hospitality trade professionals.
• Serve as a trusted sourcing partner for trade projects by understanding client briefs, aesthetics, dimensions, timelines, and budgets.
• Generate and present digital tear sheets, formal proposals, price quotes, and product reserves.
• Attend occasional design industry events, showroom exhibitions, and gallery gatherings to represent the brand and generate prospective trade leads.

Operations, POS & Client Care

• Manage point-of-sale (POS) operations (SOS or similar), processing in-store purchases, deposits, invoicing, and approvals with precision.
• Promptly manage inbound retail inquiries via phone, email, and web chat.
• Partner with the back-of-house team on inventory status, holds, outgoing delivery logistics, white-glove shipping, and receiving.
• Keep meticulous client notes and sales records to support proactive follow-ups and repeat retail business.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of successful sales experience in high-end retail, a luxury design showroom, decorative arts, fine furniture, or art gallery environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Art History, Interior Design, English, or History
• Hands-on familiarity with retail showroom operations, client-facing transactions, and visual merchandising.
• Knowledge of or genuine passion for antiques, decorative arts, furniture periods, and the interior design industry.
• Strong computer fluency with retail POS, inventory, and CRM platforms (SOS experience is a plus).
• Polished, gracious demeanor with natural communication skills and discretion suited to an international and high-net-worth clientele.
• Self-starter attitude capable of multitasking between active floor traffic, administrative follow-up, and inventory coordination.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred (Art History, Interior Design, Fine Arts, Communications, or related field).
• Schedule Requirement: Ability to work a retail schedule with rotating weekend shifts (Saturdays/Sundays) and flexibility for occasional evening gallery events.

Benefits

• Competitive base compensation plus sales incentives, commensurate with experience.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Immersion in an ever-evolving, museum-quality inventory of antiques and art.
• A collaborative, knowledgeable team with strong industry roots.

Job Details

• Job Type: Full-time
• Schedule: Full-time retail schedule, including rotating weekends and periodic evening events
• Location: Stamford, CT; 10-min walk from Metro-North Train Station; on-site (Gallery floor).