Design Specialist - Sarasota

Knoll Inc.; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance (Medical, dental, vision)

Paid vacation & parental leave

Commuter benefit

401(k) with company match

Employee discounts

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Design Within Reach in Florida seeks a Design Specialist to blend design sensibility with consultative selling, delivering memorable client experiences. You’ll work with legendary designers and brands while building lasting relationships with clients and the local design community.

You’ll report directly to the General Manager and contribute to the store’s success. Join a team that values design excellence, client care, and ongoing learning, with opportunities for growth and professional

Qualifications

• Design-savvy retail professional with a passion for modern interiors.
• Experience in retail sales, design consulting, or customer success preferred.
• Background in interior design or architecture is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales by delivering personalized design consultations and solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients and trade professionals.
• Meet and exceed sales performance goals and KPIs.
• Guide clients through product selection, space planning, and styling.
• Manage client lifecycle using CRM tools and outreach strategies.
• Maintain visual merchandising standards and store aesthetics.
• Stay updated on product knowledge and design trends.

Skills

Design-savvy

Retail sales

Client needs

Relationship building

Education

Interior design background

Architecture background

Tools

SketchUp

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

Why join us?

At Design Within Reach, home comes first. We believe in creating and sourcing pieces that move with you and are meant to be enjoyed over a lifetime – from home to home, generation to generation. For us, that means exceptionally crafted, built-to-last, and beautifully designed furnishings. Our purpose is design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of Design Within Reach means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows Design Within Reach to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

Store Hours: Open daily, Sunday through Saturday (weekend and holiday availability required).

About the Role: As a Design Specialist, you’ll blend your design sensibility with consultative selling skills to deliver exceptional client experiences. You’ll represent legendary designers like Charles and Ray Eames and brands such as Herman Miller and Knoll, while building lasting relationships with clients and the local design community. You’ll report directly to the General Manager and play a key role in driving the store’s success.

What We Offer

• $20 hourly base with uncapped commission on shipped items
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, holidays, and parental leave
• Commuter benefit up to $150/month
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Generous employee discounts
• Ongoing professional development opportunities

What You’ll Do

• Drive sales by delivering personalized design consultations and solutions that meet client needs
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, trade professionals, and the local design community
• Meet and exceed sales performance goals, consistently achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) including revenue targets, conversion rates, and client retention metrics
• Leverage your design expertise to guide clients through product selection, space planning, and styling
• Manage the full client lifecycle using CRM tools and outreach strategies to exceed sales goals
• Maintain visual merchandising standards and contribute to the overall aesthetic of the store
• Stay current on product knowledge, design trends, and industry developments through training and self-study
• Conduct in-home consultations and attend off-site meetings with trade clients as needed

What We’re Looking for

• A design-savvy sales professional with a passion for modern interiors
• Experienced in retail sales, design consulting, or customer success (preferred)
• Background in interior design, architecture, or related field (preferred)
• Skilled in client needs assessment, problem-solving, and relationship buildingProficient with Microsoft Office, and design tools (e.g., SketchUp, AutoCAD, or similar)
• Able to lift over 40 lbs and work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

Who We Hire?

Simply put, we hire qualified applicants representing a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. Design Within Reach is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We’re committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

MillerKnoll is a collective of design brands coming together to remake modern for the 21st century.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

MillerKnoll positions are closed within 45 days and are open for applications for a minimum of 5 days.