Apprentice Kitchen Sales Designer HOWDEN JOINERY LIMITED

What you will do in your working day

As an apprentice kitchen sales designer, you will learn to undertake all the tasks and responsibilities of the kitchen sales designer role.

Design:

• To plan and design inspirational kitchens using the company’s range of products
• You will be required to visit sites to measure and evaluate the customer’s needs
• To effectively communicate with builders and the end user, amending plans as required
• An essential part of this role is using your product knowledge confidently, to ensure that you deal with customer enquiries before, during and after sales
• Ensure compliance with health & safety regulations whilst in the depot and while on-site visits

Sales:

• To provide the customer with enough choice, advice and after sales to leave a lasting impression of the depot
• To achieve and exceed individual and depot targets
• To negotiate prices, ensuring you are maintaining growth in your margin
• Manage and maintain your own lead bank, keeping it updated and staying in contact with the customer
• To provide potential and existing customers with the highest level of service
• To assist with any other reasonable request to fulfil the requirements of the business and smooth operation of the depot
• This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities but outlines the main points of the role

Key performance indicators:

• Timely progress with the off the job apprenticeship work
• Positive customer feedback and progress through 1-2-1 reviews
• Sales revenue generated from kitchen plans
• Targets met or exceeded
• Completion of the Apprenticeship Standard or Framework, supported by the training provider

Key challenges:

• To dedicate time to apprenticeship related to independent studies, development, and assignments
• Prioritisation and staying organised, particularly during busy periods, daily tasks, and additional responsibilities
• Build and maintain relationships with customers and fellow team members, while working towards your individual targets
• Constantly reviewing the new products and staying commercially aware, demonstrating credible product knowledge
• Manage your lead bank to reach its full potential, providing excellent customer service and staying in contact with the customer during the process
• Effectively influencing the customer and making persuasive recommendations on how to proceed with their kitchen design needs and closing the sale
• Maintaining a high calibre of work at all times, whilst staying organised and motivated in a positive manner

The training you will be getting

As part of the Level 3 Fitted Furniture Design Technician Apprenticeship Standard, you will learn how to:

• Working safely at all times, following relevant legislation and regulations and ensuring the safety of yourself and others
• Plan, organise and manage furniture design and/or installation projects from conception to completion
• Create suitable fitted furniture designs and concepts for furniture to be installed meeting customer requirements
• Present fitted furniture designs to customers in order to get buy-in and agree next stages
• Survey locations accurately in order to produce suitable designs for furniture to be installed
• Provide accurate quotes to customers, cost and prices of fitted furniture concept designs using quoting software systems in order to secure sales
• Maintain fitted furniture retail showrooms in good condition in order to gain customer interest in products and services
• Deliver on fitted furniture sales targets and enhance opportunities for further income growth
• Provide an effective fitted furniture after-sales service for customers to maintain and enhance their business reputation and secure repeat business
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers and other relevant stakeholders
• Deliver excellent customer service, realise and maintain customer expectations when working in a fitted furniture design environment
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment
• Level 3 Fitted Furniture Design Technician qualification
• Training and training location to be confirmed

What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship

• Progression options may be available within Howdens and the depot such as full-time employment