Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kitchen Sales Consultant Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Kitchen Sales Consultant Assistant supports showroom sales and kitchen design consultants by managing client intake, preparing estimates and 3D visuals, coordinating orders and installations, and delivering exceptional customer service. This role combines hands-on showroom support, technical assistance (measurement, CAD/eDesign, specification), and administrative duties (CRM updates, invoicing, supplier liaison) to drive conversion, increase average order value, and ensure on-time, on-budget project delivery.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Retail Sales Associate (home improvement, appliances, cabinetry)
Interior Design Assistant or Junior Designer
Customer Service Representative in home furnishings

Advancement To:

Kitchen Sales Consultant / Designer
Senior Sales Consultant or Lead Designer
Showroom Manager or Sales Manager
Project Manager for residential renovations

Lateral Moves:

Estimator / Quoting Specialist
Procurement / Supply Chain Coordinator
After-Sales / Warranty Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Greet showroom visitors, qualify leads, and conduct first-touch consultations to understand customer goals, budget ranges, timelines, and style preferences for kitchen projects.
Assist senior kitchen consultants by creating and updating client files in the CRM, documenting measurements, preferences, budget constraints, and follow-up actions to ensure a seamless sales funnel.
Take accurate field measurements or coordinate professional measurement services; verify plumbing, electrical, and elevation details to inform design feasibility and avoid installation issues.
Produce initial space plans and 2D/3D layouts using CAD, 2020 Design, SketchUp, Chief Architect, eDesign, or proprietary design tools to visualize cabinet layouts, appliance placement, and traffic flow.
Prepare detailed itemized estimates and professional written quotes (cabinets, countertops, hardware, appliances, labor, taxes, and ancillary items) that align with client budgets and company pricing policies.
Create photorealistic renderings, mood boards, and sample boards to present design concepts; tailor presentations for in-showroom and virtual consultations.
Present product options, finishes, cabinet construction types, countertop materials, and hardware to clients; demonstrate samples and explain trade-offs in durability, maintenance, and cost.
Proactively cross-sell and upsell complementary products and services (backsplashes, lighting, custom storage solutions, competitive appliance packages, extended warranties) to increase average order value.
Coordinate vendor quotes and specifications (countertop fabricators, appliance suppliers, subcontractor trades) and obtain competitive pricing to ensure margin targets and accurate lead times.
Manage order entry and documentation: submit purchase orders, verify specifications, confirm lead times with suppliers, and track production milestones through to delivery.
Schedule and coordinate delivery and installation with internal teams and third-party contractors; confirm scope of work, access requirements, and on-site protection measures prior to install.
Monitor project timelines, conduct pre-installation checklists, and perform post-install inspections to ensure installations meet design intent and quality standards.
Handle client communications and follow-ups: confirm appointments, respond to inbound inquiries, provide status updates, and escalate issues to senior consultants or project managers as needed.
Maintain inventory of showroom samples, color swatches, and product literature; reorder demo items and replace worn displays to keep the showroom presentation-ready.
Enter and maintain accurate lead, opportunity, and sales pipeline data in CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics) and generate weekly status reports for sales management.
Prepare contracts, collect deposits and final payments, process change orders, and assist with invoicing and basic bookkeeping tasks in collaboration with finance.
Facilitate warranty and service claims: gather documentation, coordinate with suppliers, and schedule remedial work while keeping clients informed until resolution.
Assist with merchandising and visual merchandising initiatives: layout displays, update sample vignettes, and collaborate with marketing on seasonal campaigns and in-store promotions.
Participate in trade shows, community events, and local partner engagements to generate leads, distribute marketing materials, and represent the brand professionally.
Provide showroom sales support during peak periods: greet walk-ins, run timed consultations, prepare quick estimates, and hand off warm leads to design consultants.
Train and onboard new showroom staff on product basics, CRM processes, sample handling, and appointment workflows to sustain consistent customer experiences.
Analyze customer feedback and sales data to recommend product assortment improvements, pricing adjustments, or promotional strategies to sales leadership.

Secondary Functions

Compile and analyze sales metrics and conversion data to support management reporting and ongoing process improvement.
Support marketing efforts by supplying product content, client testimonials, and project photos for website, social media, and email campaigns.
Maintain compliance with company policies, safety standards, and local codes during measurement and installation coordination.
Assist with vendor account reconciliation, resolution of invoice discrepancies, and tracking of supplier warranties.
Coordinate secondary trades (electrical, plumbing, tiling) scheduling and on-site communication for large-scale renovation projects.
Perform ad-hoc administrative tasks such as filing project documentation, scanning permits, and preparing client welcome packets.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient with kitchen design software: 2020 Design, SketchUp, Chief Architect, AutoCAD, or equivalent eDesign tools for producing layouts and client-ready renderings.
Strong estimating and quoting skills: ability to create itemized proposals, calculate material and labor costs, and apply markups and discounts.
Familiarity with cabinet construction types, door styles, finishes, hardware, and common countertop materials (quartz, granite, laminate, solid surface).
Experience using CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics) to manage leads, opportunities, and sales pipelines.
Knowledge of order entry systems, ERP basics, and purchase order management.
Competence in scheduling and coordinating installations with contractors and suppliers; understanding of delivery logistics.
Basic understanding of building trades: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and how they affect kitchen layout and installation.
Proficient with standard office software: Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) or Google Workspace for reporting, quoting, and client communications.
Experience preparing contracts, processing deposits, and handling invoicing and payment transactions.
Ability to produce and present mood boards, material sample boards, and client-facing presentations both in-person and digitally.
Familiarity with warranty processes, service ticketing, and post-installation follow-up procedures.

Soft Skills

Customer-focused with strong consultative selling skills and a proven ability to build rapport quickly with homeowners and trade clients.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; clear, professional, and persuasive in presentations and follow-up.
Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in measurements, specifications, and order documentation.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced showroom environment.
Problem-solving mindset; capable of anticipating installation issues and proposing practical, cost-effective solutions.
Team player who collaborates well with designers, project managers, fabricators, and installers.
Adaptable and coachable; open to feedback and continuous improvement through training.
Time management and prioritization skills to handle walk-ins, scheduled appointments, and administrative tasks efficiently.
Resilient under pressure with the ability to stay calm and professional during client escalations or scheduling conflicts.
Sales-driven with a results orientation and motivation to meet or exceed conversion and revenue targets.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or certificate in Interior Design, Construction Technology, Business, or related field.
Coursework or certifications in kitchen design, CAD, or project management (e.g., NKBA fundamentals preferred).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Interior Design / Residential Design
Construction Technology / Building Science
Business Administration / Sales
Visual Merchandising / Retail Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–3 years of retail/home improvement sales, interior design support, or kitchen/bath industry experience. Experience in a showroom environment or with direct client consultations is strongly preferred.

Preferred:

2–5 years of experience supporting kitchen designers or sales consultants, with demonstrated competency in CAD/eDesign tools, quoting, and installation coordination.
Proven track record of supporting sales activities that resulted in measurable increases in lead conversion and average order value.