Retail Development Specialist

Who we are:   Visual Comfort & Co. is the premier resource for decorative and architectural lighting, ceiling fans, system controls and automated shading solutions from the most influential designers in the world. We are proud to offer a market-leading range of premium products across categories, styles and price points, remaining committed to beautiful design and, above all, a world-class customer experience.   As our organization continues its global expansion, we are seeking driven professionals with a proven track record of delivering exceptional client service and consistently meeting sales objectives across both lighting and systems product categories. This position combines showroom sales with technical project design responsibilities. The successful candidate will collaborate with trade and consumer clients to provide comprehensive lighting and shading solutions, supporting projects from inception through to completion.   Visual Comfort Offers:   * Work-Life Balance: Showrooms operate Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed on Sundays. Team Members follow a five-day rotating schedule, including two Saturdays per month.  * Training & Development: A comprehensive and structured training program, complemented by ongoing education and opportunities for career advancement. * Paid Time Off: Generous vacation accrual and paid time off policies. * Holidays: 7 paid holidays per year, in addition to 2 floating holidays. * Compensation: Competitive base salary plus monthly variable * Health Benefits: Visual Comfort covers the majority of employee medical premiums, and offers competitive vision and dental coverage available starting the first day of the month following your start date. * Insurance: Company-provided life insurance and short-term disability coverage. * Retirement: 401(k) plan with company matching up to 4%, available beginning the first of the month following   How success is defined:   Sales and Client Experience * Achieve and consistently surpass both individual and showroom sales objectives. * Oversee all phases of the sales process from opportunity to invoice, prioritizing exceptional customer service. * Effectively manage sales pipeline to maximize success by ensuring consistent follow-up and follow-through utilizing order entry software and various communication methods. * Deliver expert design consultation and product recommendations to trade and retail clients. * Provide guidance on lighting selections that foster enduring client relationships. * Present compelling sales demonstrations featuring lighting, controls, and shading solutions. * Utilize collaborative, design-driven sales strategies to secure client commitment. New business development and account management: * Independently and through collaboration with the Business Development Specialist, develop and sustain relationships with architects, builders, interior designers, and homeowners. * Identify client objectives and explain how our systems support their design goals. * Work with project management to align deliverables with approved designs. Project Design & Technical Support * Collaborate with Visual Comfort & Co Design Studio in the preparation of comprehensive documentation for design and engineering teams to facilitate the creation of construction documents and bills of materials (BOMs). * Respond to client inquiries, ensuring thorough understanding of proposed lighting and shading solutions. * Maintain up-to-date knowledge of advancements in lighting technologies, control systems, and automated shading. Showroom Operations: * Ensure the showroom consistently meets brand standards by being clean, well-presented, and organized to support sales objectives. * Develop proficiency in utilizing the company’s order entry and operating systems. * Independently manage showroom opening and closing procedures, including participation in a rotating Saturday schedule. The showroom remains closed on Sundays. * Works effectively with others in a team environment to accomplish organizational goals and to identify and resolve problems. * Exhibits and adheres to the established Visual Comfort Company Values. * Must demonstrate commitment, dependability, punctuality, and adherence to agreed-upon schedule, while maintaining a consistent presence in the workplace to effectively collaborate and communicate with coworkers and teams.   What you will bring: * 3+ years of retail or showroom sales experience required, ideally in luxury home furnishings, lighting, or building materials. * Prior experience within the design or building products industry required, including interior design, custom home construction, luxury furnishings, or lighting. * Lighting experience is a plus. * Bachelor’s degree preferred; High School diploma required. * Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; D365 knowledge preferred. * Experienced with CRM/ERP systems for client management and project tracking. * Project management skills, able to manage client expectations and timelines efficiently. * Strong knowledge of product design, including interpreting floor plans and lighting layouts. * Technical understanding of lighting specs (color temperature, CRI, lumens, dimming) and control systems (e.g., Lutron, Control4). * Able to build relationships with architects, builders, and designers; represent the brand at industry events. * Proficient in preparing proposals, BOMs, and technical documentation. * Excellent communication, emotional intelligence, and professionalism in client interactions. * Organized, detail-oriented, able to handle multiple projects simultaneously. * Stays up to date on lighting technologies and participates in ongoing training. * Consistently represents Visual Comfort’s brand values and commitment to service.     Compensation Range: $65,000 - $70,000 plus monthly bonus opportunity   Compensation is based on individual factors, including skill set, relevant experience, and work location   #LI-Onsite

ROLAND STORE ASSISTANT MANAGER JOB OUTLINE: Based: Roland Showroom on Denmark Street, London Reports to: Roland London Store Manager Hours: Full Time (including weekend work) THE COMPANY: Roland Europe Group Ltd Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of electronic musical instruments including; keyboards & synthesisers, guitar products, electronic percussion kits, digital recording equipment, amplifiers and audio processing devices. You'll be part of a dynamic team, where we believe in kindness, support, acceptance, and hard work and try to provide room for personal development for everyone. At Roland, you will find a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere. You'll work for a company with global activities, but it doesn't feel corporate. We are always looking for colleagues who have an enthusiastic, positive and driven personality. People who are eager to further develop and challenge themselves. If you also have a passion for Roland, our products or music in general, you might just be our perfect match. THE POSITION: The Roland Store is entirely about creating an exceptional customer experience, maximising sales opportunities and to nurture loyalty and advocacy. * To assist the London Store Manager in maximising the success of the Roland Store in London and the Product Specialists within the store, by assisting in all operational aspects, driving sales, ensuring the Roland Store Customer Journey is being followed with all customers, whilst minimizing costs. * To collaborate with the London Store Manager, European Retail Manager, and the Retail Area Manager, to maximise retail sales within the London Store, from the website as well as from other B2B and B2C channels, in line with agreed plans and growth targets. * To work closely with the London Store manager and REG marketing team, identifying opportunities for new and engaging on-line content that is ‘On Brand’ with Roland. * To assist in the development and manage the database of existing, new, and potential customers, whilst recognising the critical importance of maintaining regular contact with existing customers to provide post sales service such as how they are getting on with recent purchases via Active Campaign and Backstage. * To ensure that the store maintains adequate display and back up stock at all times, to monitor stock levels across all store and third-party warehouse locations, * To oversee the order fulfilment and delivery processes to meet customers’ and the store’s expectations and ensures that shrinkage of stock is avoided at all costs. * To lead by example, manage, motivate, train, develop and measure the performance of all Roland London Store Product Specialists through tailored induction and continuous development training programmes. * Self-motivated to advance personal product knowledge, sales skills and demonstration expertise across all Roland, Boss and DW product categories to build the brand awareness in line with market trends. * To assist the London Store Manager to train and develop each Product Specialist to exceed all retail and operational targets as well as business and personal objectives. * Ensure the London Store and our Retail Product Specialists deliver exceptional standards of store presentation, product knowledge, customer service and organisation to build the Roland brand. * To undertake quality research, business analysis and then construct training and development plans with each of the product specialists within the London Store. * Fully integrated within the culture of the Roland, passionate about the overall Roland, Boss and DW sales across the business, constantly thinking of new ways to innovate and drive traffic to all the London Store. ACCOUNTABILITIES: * Support the Store Manager in driving sales growth, profitability and exceptional customer service standards across the store and online channels. * Lead, coach and motivate the store team to achieve sales targets, deliver outstanding product demonstrations and provide expert product knowledge. * Monitor sales performance, stock levels and store KPIs, taking action to improve results and maximise commercial opportunities. * Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training and ongoing development of Product Specialists through regular coaching, feedback and performance reviews. * Ensure the store is visually merchandised to a high standard, with promotional activity, pricing and product displays maintained in line with company guidelines. * Oversee stock management processes, including deliveries, transfers, stock checks and inventory accuracy, ensuring efficient operational performance. * Build strong working relationships with internal departments and external partners to support business objectives and customer satisfaction. * Handle customer queries and complaints professionally, using feedback to continuously improve the customer experience. * Maintain high standards of communication, organisation, reporting, health & safety and compliance across all store operations. * Act as a role model for company values, operational excellence and continuous improvement within the retail team. EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. * Experience in leading a team. * Excellent organisational and time management skills to handle multiple priorities and to meet deadlines. * Strong attention to detail and accuracy in preforming stock counts, reconciliations and data entry tasks. * Ability to work well under pressure and adapt to changes as they present themselves. * The post includes regular manual handling activities, including moving and repositioning items of varying weights. * Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Outlook. * The communication skills to comfortably converse, build relationships and interact appropriately with individuals, customers, and the wider Roland/BOSS team team—at all levels. * An interest and knowledge in music and musical equipment, would be a bonus, but is not essential, as we can teach what is required in this role. THE PACKAGE: * Competitive benefits package