MILL END SHOPS, INC.
Job Description: Window Treatment & Upholstery Sales Specialist
Employer: Mill End Shops, Inc.
Company Website: www.millendshop.com
Position Title: Window Treatment & Upholstery Sales Specialist
Experience Level: Intermediate
Minimum Experience Required: Two years
Employment Type: Full-Time or Part-Time, based on company needs
Reports To: Store Manager or General Manager
Commission: 6% of sales in addition to base pay
Position Summary
Mill End Shops, Inc. is seeking an experienced and customer-focused Window Treatment & Upholstery Sales Specialist. The successful candidate will assist residential and commercial customers in selecting custom shades, blinds, drapery, upholstery fabrics, and related interior design products.
This position requires strong sales ability, product knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to guide customers through the complete sales process—from identifying their needs and selecting products to preparing estimates, processing orders, and coordinating measurements, fabrication, delivery, and installation.
The ideal candidate should have at least two years of experience in window treatments, upholstery, fabrics, interior furnishings, home décor, or a related sales environment.
Primary Responsibilities:
Customer Service and Sales:
- Welcome customers and provide professional, friendly, and knowledgeable assistance.
- Identify customers’ needs, preferences, budgets, room conditions, and design goals.
- Recommend appropriate shades, blinds, drapery, curtains, upholstery fabrics, hardware, and related products.
- Explain product features, materials, operating systems, care requirements, warranties, and pricing.
- Provide customers with fabric, color, texture, pattern, and style recommendations.
- Present practical design solutions that balance appearance, function, privacy, light control, durability, and budget.
- Build strong customer relationships and provide timely follow-up throughout the sales process.
- Meet or exceed assigned individual and store sales goals.
- Promote complementary products and services when appropriate.
Window Treatment and Upholstery Consultation
- Assist customers in selecting custom and ready-made window treatment products.
- Recommend suitable products for residential, commercial, hospitality, and office settings.
- Help customers select upholstery fabrics based on durability, pattern, color, texture, cleaning requirements, and intended use.
- Explain differences among blinds, shades, shutters, drapery, curtains, valances, cornices, and other window-covering options.
- Advise customers on fabric yardage, lining, hardware, trims, and coordinating materials.
- Review customer measurements and project requirements for accuracy.
- Coordinate professional in-home measurements when necessary.
- Participate in customer consultations at the showroom or customer location when assigned.
Estimates, Orders, and Documentation
- Prepare accurate estimates, proposals, invoices, and sales orders.
- Calculate product quantities, fabric yardage, dimensions, labor, installation charges, and other project costs.
- Verify measurements, product specifications, colors, fabrics, hardware, and operating systems before submitting orders.
- Collect customer deposits and process payments according to company procedures.
- Enter and maintain customer, product, and order information in company systems.
- Keep complete and organized records of customer communications, measurements, approvals, payments, and order changes.
- Review order confirmations and promptly resolve discrepancies.
- Inform customers about estimated production, delivery, and installation timelines.
Project and Installation Coordination
- Communicate with vendors, workrooms, installers, delivery personnel, and management regarding customer orders.
- Monitor the status of orders from initial sale through final delivery or installation.
- Schedule measurements, deliveries, and installations in coordination with customers and installers.
- Notify management immediately about delays, damaged products, measurement concerns, or customer complaints.
- Follow up with customers after installation or delivery to confirm satisfaction.
- Support the resolution of service issues, warranty claims, returns, repairs, and order corrections.
Showroom and Product Maintenance
- Maintain clean, attractive, and organized showroom displays.
- Keep fabric samples, catalogs, binders, product books, and pricing materials current and properly arranged.
- Assist with receiving, organizing, labeling, and displaying merchandise.
- Stay informed about new products, styles, fabrics, manufacturers, promotions, and design trends.
- Participate in vendor training and company sales meetings.
- Help maintain a professional and welcoming showroom environment.
Required Skills:
- Strong sales, consultation, and customer-service skills.
- Knowledge of shades, blinds, drapery, upholstery fabrics, and related products.
- Ability to understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
- Good understanding of colors, patterns, textures, fabric types, and interior design coordination.
- Ability to read and review window measurements and product specifications.
- Ability to calculate dimensions, quantities, fabric yardage, pricing, discounts, taxes, and deposits accurately.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Good negotiation, presentation, and closing skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage several customer projects and orders at the same time.
- Good organizational, recordkeeping, and follow-up skills.
- Ability to resolve customer concerns professionally and calmly.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a sales and installation team.
- Basic computer skills, including email, internet use, data entry, and point-of-sale or customer-management software.
- Ability to learn manufacturer ordering systems and company procedures.
- Professional appearance and dependable attendance.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Associate degree, sales training, interior design education, or related certification preferred.
- Minimum of two years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Window-treatment sales
- Blinds and shades
- Drapery and curtains
- Upholstery fabrics
- Interior design
- Home furnishings
- Furniture or home décor sales
- Custom product sales
- Demonstrated experience assisting customers, preparing estimates, and closing sales.
- Experience working with custom orders, measurements, or installation coordination is preferred.
- Experience using sales, point-of-sale, order-management, or customer-relationship-management software is preferred.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation may be required for customer consultations, measurements, or visits to project locations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience selling custom blinds, shades, shutters, drapery, or upholstery materials.
- Familiarity with motorized or automated window treatments.
- Knowledge of fabric composition, durability ratings, repeat patterns, lining, trims, and yardage calculations.
- Experience working with homeowners, interior designers, decorators, contractors, property managers, or commercial clients.
- Existing relationships with local designers, contractors, builders, or property professionals.
- Ability to develop new customer leads and generate repeat and referral business.
- Bilingual communication skills are an advantage but are not required.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mill End Shops, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, performance, and business needs without unlawful discrimination based on any protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Pay: $23.00 - $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Fuel reimbursement
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Referral program
Work Location: In person
