Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kitchen Salesperson Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Kitchen Salesperson Assistant supports the kitchen sales team and showroom operations by assisting customers, preparing accurate quotes and measures, coordinating with suppliers and installers, and maintaining order and product data. This role blends retail sales support, light kitchen design assistance, administrative order processing, and post-sale customer care to ensure a smooth end-to-end buying and installation experience for residential kitchen projects. Ideal candidates combine product knowledge (cabinetry, countertops, appliances), basic drafting/measuring skills, CRM competency, and excellent customer-facing communication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Retail Sales Associate (home improvement, furniture, appliance)
Delivery or Installation Technician with customer-contact experience
Administrative or Customer Service roles in construction or home renovation

Advancement To:

Kitchen Salesperson / Junior Kitchen Designer
Senior Sales Consultant / Kitchen Designer
Showroom Manager or Sales Manager
Account Manager or Project Coordinator for residential projects

Lateral Moves:

Project Coordinator (installation scheduling, vendor liaison)
Customer Experience Specialist / Warranty Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Greet showroom visitors promptly, build rapport, and qualify buying intent by asking targeted questions about project scope, budget, timeline, and style preferences to ensure high-quality lead handoffs to senior sales consultants.
Assist senior kitchen salespeople in creating complete, professionally formatted quotes that include cabinetry, countertops, appliances, sinks, taps, accessories, and installation fees; ensure quotes are accurate, itemized, and delivered within agreed SLA.
Take precise on-site measurements and digital photos of kitchens using measuring tools and mobile devices; document existing conditions, plumbing/electrical locations, and any constraints that impact design or installation.
Enter and maintain accurate product selections, pricing, lead details, and notes in the CRM and/or POS systems (e.g., Salesforce, Lightspeed, or proprietary systems) to support sales pipeline and reporting integrity.
Prepare preliminary layout sketches or mood boards using basic design tools or templates (e.g., 2020 Design, AutoCAD Lite, or manufacturer planning tools) to help customers visualize options before handoff to the lead designer.
Present standard product specifications and material options (cabinet styles, door finishes, countertop materials, hardware, appliance choices) in plain language and explain trade-offs in cost, durability, and lead times.
Support cross-selling and upselling by recommending complementary products (backsplashes, under-cabinet lighting, faucets) and guiding customers through upgrade pathways that match their budget and style goals.
Manage sample inventory and showroom displays—rotate samples, ensure labels are current, and maintain a clean, on-brand presentation that supports customer decision-making.
Coordinate with suppliers and third-party fabricators to confirm product availability, lead times, and special-order requirements; escalate potential delays to the lead salesperson and customer promptly.
Process sales orders and collect required deposits, following company policies for payment collection, invoicing, and credit approvals; ensure all necessary documentation (measurements, final selections, deposit receipts) is attached to the order.
Track order status from commitment to delivery—monitor production updates, arrange delivery windows, and communicate progress proactively to customers and installation teams.
Assist with basic change orders and modifications: document requested changes, update pricing and lead times, and secure written approvals before rescheduling or reordering.
Support showroom appointment scheduling, follow up on inbound leads (phone, email, website, walk-ins), and set appointments for senior sales staff or designers, ensuring a high conversion rate of qualified visits.
Facilitate pre-installation coordination: confirm permit requirements, verify installer scope, and ensure site readiness (site access, clear floor space, utilities available) to reduce installation-day issues.
Log and manage customer feedback, warranty claims, and post-installation issues; initiate service tickets and follow through until resolution, liaising with service teams and suppliers as needed.
Assist with sample ordering and returns—track sample costs, manage the showroom sample budget, and reconcile returned or damaged items against supplier credits.
Maintain product knowledge by attending manufacturer training sessions, reading spec sheets, and participating in weekly sales meetings to stay current on new SKUs, promotions, and technical installation considerations.
Create, proof, and distribute customer-facing documentation—proposal packs, installation instructions, care guides, and warranty materials—ensuring clarity and brand consistency.
Support marketing initiatives by providing product content, photographing completed projects, collecting customer testimonials, and occasionally coordinating social media posts or showroom events.
Protect customer data and commercial confidentiality by following company policies for data entry, storage, and sharing; comply with GDPR or local privacy rules where applicable.
Assist with returns, cancellations, and refunds: verify return authorizations, coordinate pick-ups, and update inventory and financial records per company policy.
Perform light warehouse duties when needed—picking orders for showroom delivery, checking received shipments against purchase orders, and reporting discrepancies to purchasing.
Participate in weekly pipeline reviews, contribute to forecasting accuracy by reporting lead status and anticipated close dates, and identify opportunities to shorten sales cycles or reduce friction.
Support new-product rollouts by preparing sample kits, stocking displays, and creating quick-reference spec sheets for the sales team.

Secondary Functions

Maintain showroom merchandising standards and visual displays to maximize conversion and reflect current promotions and seasonal trends.
Support ad-hoc administrative requests: prepare sales reports, compile customer lists for email marketing, and update shared calendars and appointment logs.
Assist in onboarding and mentoring new showroom staff on order entry, measurement protocols, and product basics.
Help coordinate delivery and installation logistics with third-party carriers and in-house installers to ensure timely project completion.
Participate in local community outreach and trade-show setup to generate leads and raise brand visibility.
Contribute to continuous improvement by documenting recurring customer questions or product issues and suggesting process or product changes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Showroom sales and retail POS proficiency (order entry, payment processing, returns).
Basic kitchen measuring and site-assessment skills (tape measure, laser measure, photo documentation).
Familiarity with kitchen planning/design tools (2020 Design, AutoCAD, SketchUp, or manufacturer planning portals).
CRM experience for lead tracking and pipeline management (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, Lightspeed).
Quoting and estimation skills including pricing cabinets, countertops, appliances, and installation labor.
Understanding of cabinetry construction, door styles, finishes, countertops (quartz, granite, laminate), and common appliances.
Ability to read and annotate floor plans, elevations, and basic technical drawings.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel for simple spreadsheets, Word for proposals) and digital file management.
Order management and vendor coordination: placing purchase orders, tracking production, and confirming ship dates.
Basic knowledge of installation constraints (plumbing, electrical, wall construction) to flag potential site issues.
Inventory/sample management and SKU tracking.
Photography and documentation skills for project records and marketing use.
Familiarity with warranty processes and post-sale service ticketing systems.
Basic numeracy for margin calculations, discounts, and deposit handling.
Experience with appointment scheduling systems and calendar management.

Soft Skills

Customer-focused communication: clear, patient, and empathetic with homeowners and contractors.
Active listening and consultative selling to identify needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
Problem-solving mindset and proactive escalation when issues threaten timelines or customer satisfaction.
Attention to detail—accurate measurements, error-free order entry, and careful follow-through.
Time management and the ability to prioritize competing tasks in a busy showroom environment.
Team collaboration and willingness to support designers, installers, and administrative teams.
Persuasive yet ethical sales approach—ability to close and upsell without high-pressure tactics.
Resilience and adaptability—handling schedule changes, backorders, and customer anxieties calmly.
Professional presentation and showroom demeanor that reflects brand values.
Conflict resolution skills for managing post-sale issues with tact and escalation judgment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Interior Design, Construction Technology, Business, Retail Management, or a related field.
Manufacturer or vendor certification in kitchen planning or product training preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Interior Design
Construction Technology / Building Trades
Business or Retail Management
Hospitality or Customer Service

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years in retail sales, showroom assistant, or customer-facing roles; 1–2 years preferred in kitchen/cabinetry/appliance retail.

Preferred:

1–3 years of direct experience supporting kitchen or bathroom sales teams, familiarity with cabinetry and countertop terminology, demonstrated competence with measurement and order processing, and exposure to a CRM or kitchen design software.