Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kitchen Sales Manager Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Kitchen Sales Manager Assistant supports the showroom sales manager and design team by driving sales growth, ensuring exceptional customer experiences, coordinating projects from estimate to installation, and maintaining accurate records. This role blends showroom selling, technical estimating, vendor coordination, and operational execution to help the showroom meet revenue and service KPIs. SEO keywords: kitchen sales assistant, showroom sales, kitchen design assistant, sales coordination, project management, estimating, CRM.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Showroom Sales Associate / Retail Sales Representative
Kitchen or Bath Design Consultant
Customer Service Representative in Home Improvement / Appliances

Advancement To:

Kitchen Sales Manager / Showroom Manager
Senior Kitchen Design Consultant
Regional Sales Manager / Territory Manager

Lateral Moves:

Project Coordinator / Installation Coordinator
Key Account Manager / B2B Sales Specialist
Product Specialist / Merchandising Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage inbound showroom leads and appointment scheduling, qualifying prospects through discovery calls and pre-visit questionnaires to maximize conversion rates and showroom efficiency.
Conduct in-showroom consultations and needs analyses alongside senior designers to recommend kitchen cabinetry, countertops, appliances and fixtures tailored to customer budgets, lifestyle, and design preferences.
Prepare detailed, professional quotes and proposals using estimating tools and price books; include line-item pricing for cabinets, countertops, hardware, appliances and installation labor.
Create and update CAD/3D design mockups and space plans (using Chief Architect, 2020 Design, AutoCAD or equivalent) to visually communicate layouts and material options to customers.
Maintain and manage CRM records (Salesforce, HubSpot, Dealerpath or similar), logging lead activity, follow-ups, proposals, change orders and installation schedules to ensure visibility and pipeline accuracy.
Track and follow up on outstanding proposals and change orders; proactively re-engage stalled leads and negotiate terms to close sales while protecting margin.
Coordinate with vendors, fabricators and contractors to confirm product availability, lead times, and shipping windows; escalate supply issues and propose alternatives to meet client timelines.
Oversee sample library and product displays—rotate vignettes, manage sample stock levels, and ensure merchandising aligns with promotional campaigns and seasonal assortments.
Support the showroom manager in hitting monthly and quarterly sales targets by actively upselling, cross-selling and promoting value-added services (e.g., upgrades, design packages, warranty/maintenance plans).
Assist in preparing weekly and monthly sales reports, KPI dashboards and forecasting—analyze conversion rates, average sale size, and lead sources to improve sales processes.
Facilitate measurement appointments by coordinating field measurers or contractor visits, verifying site conditions, and documenting critical dimensions and obstructions for accurate ordering.
Manage the order entry process: verify dimensions, confirm specifications, obtain customer sign-offs, and submit accurate purchase orders to vendors and manufacturers.
Monitor project timelines from deposit to installation—prepare installation schedules, track milestones and communicate status updates to customers and internal teams to ensure smooth delivery.
Handle customer escalations and service inquiries with empathy and resolution-first mindset; coordinate repairs, warranty claims and post-installation follow-ups to secure customer satisfaction.
Train and mentor junior sales associates and showroom staff on product knowledge, sales techniques, quoting procedures and CRM best practices to build a high-performing sales floor.
Participate in local marketing and lead generation activities, including events, open houses, social media campaigns, and referral programs to increase showroom traffic and brand awareness.
Manage inventory reconciliation for displays, samples and demo items; place replenishment orders and handle returns or warranty exchanges with suppliers.
Implement and enforce showroom operational standards—maintain clean, safe, and welcoming sales floor, signage, pricing accuracy and compliance with company policies.
Prepare and administer sales paperwork, deposit invoices and contract documentation; ensure legal and financial requirements (deposits, payment schedules) are met before ordering.
Support cross-functional teams (warehouse, installation crews, finance, marketing) to streamline handoffs and minimize delays between sale and installation.

Secondary Functions

Assist in vendor and product selection decisions by providing on-the-ground feedback about customer preferences, competitive offerings and market trends.
Run periodic competitor and market research to identify pricing adjustments, promotional opportunities and product assortment gaps.
Support showroom events and in-store promotions: coordinate logistics, prepare materials, brief staff, and follow-up on leads generated.
Maintain digital and physical filing systems for contracts, warranties, permits and product spec sheets to ensure audit readiness and fast retrieval.
Help design and maintain training materials and playbooks for onboarding new sales hires and seasonal staff.
Facilitate basic accounting tasks related to sales—process refunds, exchange authorizations and coordinate with finance for invoicing discrepancies.
Contribute product content and SEO-optimized descriptions for online catalogs and listing portals to improve discoverability and lead quality.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to refine quoting templates, workflow automation and customer communications.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient with kitchen design and CAD/3D software such as Chief Architect, 2020 Design, AutoCAD, or equivalent, producing clear layouts and renderings.
Strong estimating and quoting skills: ability to create accurate, line-item proposals using price books and margin rules.
CRM proficiency (Salesforce, HubSpot, Dealerpath or similar) for pipeline management, follow-ups and reporting.
Familiarity with POS and order-entry systems, purchase order creation and vendor portals.
Product knowledge across cabinetry systems, countertops (quartz, granite, solid surface), appliances, hardware and installation requirements.
Basic understanding of construction, site measurement practices and trade coordination (plumbers, electricians, installers).
Intermediate Excel or Google Sheets skills: VLOOKUPs, pivot tables and basic formulas for reporting and inventory tracking.
Experience with inventory management and sample libraries, including SKU tracking and replenishment.
Familiarity with warranty processes, service ticketing systems and vendor claims procedures.
Strong written communication skills for professional proposals, contracts, and customer correspondence.
Knowledge of retail merchandising and visual display best practices for showrooms.
Ability to read technical drawings, product specifications and installation manuals.

Soft Skills

Customer-first attitude with empathy and active listening—able to de-escalate issues and drive positive outcomes.
Consultative selling approach: uncover needs, educate clients, and recommend solutions that align with budgets and goals.
Strong organizational skills with attention to detail for accurate orders, timelines and documentation.
Time management and prioritization—able to juggle multiple projects, appointments, and follow-ups without missing deadlines.
Collaborative team player who partners with designers, operations, marketing and external trades.
Problem-solving mindset—anticipates obstacles and proposes practical alternatives to keep projects on track.
Professional presence and polished communication for interfacing with homeowners, contractors and senior stakeholders.
Adaptability to changes in inventory, pricing, and project scope while maintaining service levels.
Coaching and mentoring ability to train junior staff in sales techniques and systems.
Results-driven focus on achieving sales targets while protecting margin and maintaining service quality.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; equivalent trade or retail experience accepted.

Preferred Education:

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Interior Design, Architecture, Construction Management, Sales/Marketing or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Interior Design / Architectural Technology
Business Administration / Sales & Marketing
Construction Management / Building Science
Hospitality / Customer Service Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years of retail sales or showroom experience with at least 1 year supporting design consultations or project coordination in kitchen, bath, cabinetry, appliances, or home improvement sectors.

Preferred:

3–7 years experience with demonstrated success in meeting sales targets, producing estimates, managing installation projects, and using CRM/design software. Prior supervisory or assistant management experience is a plus.