Apprentice Kitchen Sales Designer

Summary

The successful candidate will develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours to plan, design and sell the full range of Howdens Joinery products, using computer aided design (CAD). The successful candidate should also keep in mind safety and practicality, with the objective of achieving and exceeding depot and company sales and growth targets.

Annual wage: £15,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Fitted furniture design technician (level 3)
Hours: Days and shifts are to be confirmed (TBC)
40 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 7 October
Duration: 1 Year 6 Months
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

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 and safety regulations whilst in the depot and during 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 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

Where you’ll work

Units 1, 2 & 3, Quarry Court Industrial Estate

Delta Court

Merlin Way

Ilkeston

DE7 4RA

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

DIDAC LIMITED

Your training course

Fitted furniture design technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Work safely at all times, completing health and safety records and reports

Plan, organise and manage furniture design and/or installation projects

Maintain fitted furniture sales, design and installation records required

Record any measurements of components, sub-assemblies, products, models, equipment, layouts or facilities for example kitchen units, wardrobes, desking

Create suitable fitted furniture designs and concepts for furniture to be installed at relevant domestic or commercial premises

Create fitted furniture designs using scale drawings or CAD (computer aided design)

Select appropriate material options, products and components for the fitted furniture designs to meet customer requirements

Present fitted furniture designs to customers for example kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms

Produce visuals that clearly demonstrate how fitted furniture designs meets the strength, aesthetics, cost and other relevant requirements of the customer brief

Survey locations accurately for fitted furniture installation and designs including taking measurements and other relevant data of locations

Produce representational images which records appropriate and accurate measurements of locations for the placement of furniture components

Determine and record site conditions for example location and identification of the existing utilities and services

Use quoting software systems to cost and price fitted furniture designs and provide and manage quotes to customers

Maintain the fitted furniture showrooms to acceptable standards and mirror relevant design trends

Deliver on sales targets and enhance opportunities for further growth for examples agree next stage by listening to the customer’s requirements and vision

Establish and maintain communications with relevant customers for example ongoing customer service and care provided

Check fitted furniture products and services are prepared, delivered and installed to customers satisfaction

Develop and maintain effective working relationships

Apply effective communication techniques at all levels including written and verbal communication skills

Deliver excellent customer service for example going beyond what the customer expects

Realise and maintain customer expectations

Your training plan

As part of the Level 3 Fitted Furniture Design Technician Apprenticeship Standard qualification, 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 on 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
Training schedule has yet to be agreed. Details will be made available at a later date

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade C/4 or above)
Maths (grade C/4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Creative
Initiative
full driving license desirable

Other requirements

All employees must not, without permission, disclose any information regarding staff. In instances where it is known that a member of staff has communicated information to unauthorised persons, those staff may be liable to disciplinary action up to and including summary dismissal.

About this company

Howdens Joinery is the UK's largest manufacturer and supplier of fitted kitchens, appliances and joinery products from local stock, with almost 700 Depots Nationwide.

After this apprenticeship

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

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DIDAC LIMITED

Annalise Morris

annalise.morris@didac.co.uk

+448007734230

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000273074.

Apply now

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