Sales & Design Associate

Inside Sales & Design Associate – Decorative Plumbing, Lighting & Hardware

Location: Irmo, South Carolina

About the Opportunity

Join a thriving, privately owned showroom that's redefining the decorative plumbing, lighting, and hardware experience in Columbia, SC. We're experiencing exciting growth and looking for a sales professional who's passionate about high-end home design and exceptional customer service.

This is a ground-floor opportunity where you'll have the independence to build client relationships while enjoying the support and resources of an established, customer-focused company.

What You'll Do

Guide Customer Decisions

Help homeowners, designers, and contractors navigate our curated selection of plumbing fixtures, appliances, lighting, and hardware. Your product knowledge and consultative approach will turn browsers into buyers.

Build Lasting Relationships

Develop trust with clients by understanding their vision and delivering tailored solutions. Your ability to listen and advise will generate repeat business and referrals.

Manage the Sales Process

Handle quotes, invoicing, and order coordination with precision. You'll own each transaction from start to finish, ensuring a seamless customer experience.

Drive Results

Meet and exceed sales targets through proactive outreach, effective upselling, and strategic relationship building. Your success directly impacts your earning potential.

Stay Current

Keep pace with design trends and product innovations. Collaborate with suppliers and attend industry training to maintain your expertise.

What We're Looking For

Experience & Skills:

• Background in sales, preferably in home improvement, interior design, or related luxury retail
• Strong product knowledge or the ability to quickly master technical details about plumbing, lighting, appliances, and hardware
• Excellent communication skills with designers, contractors, and homeowners
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational abilities
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to customer engagement

Your Strengths:

• You're a natural problem-solver who handles challenges with grace and creativity
• You balance confidence with collaboration, working well with team members and industry partners
• You take pride in accuracy and follow-through
• You're genuinely interested in high-end home design and helping clients bring their vision to life

Why Join Us

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive base salary plus quarterly bonuses and performance incentives
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (employer-sponsored)
• Generous PTO
• Commission potential that rewards your success

Growth & Development:

• Ground-floor opportunity in an expanding company with plans for multiple showrooms
• Access to brand-sponsored training and industry events
• Career advancement opportunities as we grow

Culture & Environment:

• Flexible, family-friendly workplace with a high-trust culture
• Work with beautiful, high-end products daily
• Supportive team environment backed by a visionary owner
• Loyal customer base that values expertise and quality

Ready to Apply?

If you're excited about combining your sales talent with a passion for luxury home design, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now to explore this opportunity and take the next step in your career.

Experience & Technical Skills

• Proven experience in inside sales, retail sales, or customer-facing roles; experience in decorative plumbing, lighting, appliances, hardware, interior design, or luxury home retail is strongly preferred
• Ability to quickly learn and retain detailed product knowledge across multiple categories (fixtures, lighting, hardware, appliances)
• Strong understanding of design aesthetics, style coordination, and how products fit into broader home design concepts
• Comfortable reading and interpreting spec sheets, pricing sheets, vendor catalogs, and basic project plans
• Skilled in managing the full sales cycle: quoting, invoicing, special orders, coordinating deliveries, and resolving order discrepancies
• Proficiency with CRM systems, point-of-sale systems, and basic computer applications (Outlook, Excel, vendor portals, etc.)

Communication & Customer Service Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to speak confidently with homeowners, designers, contractors, and tradespeople
• Strong consultative selling skills — able to assess customer needs, present tailored solutions, and guide decision-making
• Ability to explain technical product features in a clear, helpful, and engaging way
• Professional and polished demeanor, representing the showroom with warmth, expertise, and product enthusiasm

Sales & Relationship-Building Strengths

• Proven ability to meet or exceed sales goals through proactive engagement, follow-up, and relationship development
• Comfortable reaching out to past clients, designers, and builders to generate repeat business and referrals
• Strong negotiation and upselling skills, balanced with client trust and transparency
• Accountable and organized, taking ownership of each sale from initial consultation through delivery

Personal Attributes

• Passion for home design, luxury products, and helping clients bring creative visions to life
• Highly detail-oriented with strong follow-through and impeccable accuracy when handling quotes and orders
• Self-driven, independent worker who thrives in a flexible, high-trust environment
• Positive, solution-oriented mindset — able to manage challenges with professionalism and creativity
• Team-oriented attitude with a willingness to collaborate and support showroom colleagues

Additional Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift or move product samples (typically 10–30 lbs.)
• Availability to work standard showroom hours, including occasional industry events or vendor trainings
• Valid driver’s license for potential local visits to design partners or job sites (if required)