MICHAEL KARCHER
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
INTERIOR DESIGN, HOME STAGING, VISUAL MERCHANDISING, CUSTOMER SERVICE Highly accomplished, accredited and published Interior Designer, Sales Consultant Over 18 years of industry experience in sales, textiles, upholstery, tile, plumbing, new home design centers and trade showrooms and administration Effective project and vendor management from concept/blueprint to installation Designs featured in LUXE Interiors + Design and Phoenix Home & Garden
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Visual Merchandiser
Bassett Furniture
Scottsdale, AZ
09.2020 - Current
- Ensure that all furniture and accessories are placed on showroom floor in accordance with merchandising standards
- Coordinate all merchandise floor moves, while partnering with Store Manager
- Analyze sales of furniture and accessories on floor and execute a strategy for exiting unproductive SKU’s
- Order furniture and accessory inventory for showroom floor, as necessary, based on sales analysis
- Coordinate disposition of discontinued products and integration of new furniture and accessory products on showroom floor
- Monitor, maintain and update product collateral, paint, props, lighting replacement and direction
Interior Design Purchasing Assistant
Troon Golf
Scottsdale, AZ
02.2020 - 04.2020
- Maintained and organized project files (Budgets, pay applications, cash flow and schedules)
- Assisted team with mailings, report preparation & other correspondence required for projects
- Updated and maintained vendor contacts for Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) purchases
- Created processed, & tracked Clubhouse FF&E Purchases with vendors, property managers, owners, & corporate accounting,coordinated deliveries and installations as needed
- Handled communication with clients by answering telephone calls and responding to emails and official letters.
- Ordered samples from vendors to handle presentation creation activities.
Design Consultant
Bassett Furniture
Chandler, AZ
04.2019 - 01.2020
- Built meaningful and long-term customer relationships
- Obtained comprehensive knowledge ranging from furniture construction to design trends
- Used relationship selling techniques through interior design consultations and home visits to maximize selling opportunities
- Engaged with customers to determine their needs according to taste, lifestyle, and investment range
- Creating, presenting, and selling product and design solutions
- Listened and translated customers wants into design choices
Designer
Interior Logic Group/Shea Homes, Vistancia
Peoria, AZ
06.2017 - 07.2018
- Worked with new homebuyers in selecting interior finishes for new homes including color selections, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, plumbing, lighting, appliances and other product upgrades
- Facilitated entry of options, drawings, and relevant communications into Salesforce for continued project management
- Collaborated with sales, marketing, operations, construction management, and other studio employees to ensure high consumer satisfaction scores
- Work with clients to determine design preferences, purpose, budget and function materials to be installed
- Render design ideas in form of drawings, material types, requirements and costs, and presents design and costs to client for approval
- Production design experience with intimate knowledge of electrical options
Design Consultant
KB Home
Phoenix, AZ
09.2014 - 05.2017
- Assisted homebuyers in making creative choices necessary to help create their dream home, including selection of colors, textures, finishes, and styles for all options including cabinets, flooring, countertops, appliances, window treatments
- Prepared original and relevant options for clients suitable to individual requirements
- Provides exceptional customer service at all times to internal and external customers
- Accurately and efficiently enters buyer’s option choices into Blue Fish and JD Edwards during appointment and completes all necessary paperwork via DocuSign
- Responds to homebuyers, operations, trade partners, and sales teams phone calls, e-mails, and correspondence in a timely manner
- Designed and managed 200 homes in 2016, average of $25k in upgrades and 95% CSI score
Design Consultant/Inside Sales
Facings of America
Phoenix, AZ
09.2012 - 09.2014
- Explored design project scope with customers to advise on most suitable products
- Provides samples and quotes for multiple projects with strict deadlines
- Managed merchandising showroom inventory, displays upgrades and enhancements
- Increase business by developing new relationships and maintaining existing relationships
- Generating quotations and other pertinent paperwork both for clients and staff
- Maintained showroom in a professional, organized and aesthetically pleasing fashion
Inside Sales Support
Ann Sacks Tile and Stone
Scottsdale, AZ
12.2010 - 09.2012
- Provide high quality customer service to scheduled appointments and walk-in traffic
- Develop and execute marketing plans to current and potential customer base
- Created strategic sales plan and detailed tracking of customer interactions, quotes and opportunities
- Conduct outside sales calls, with focus on targeted top-selling and high-potential accounts, marketing new and featured products
- Network with the professional trade through involvement in associations, meetings and events
- Follow up on all sales to ensure customer satisfaction and service
Design Consultant
JCPenney
Tempe, AZ
06.2008 - 12.2010
- Conducted in-home design consultations for window treatment product sales
- Managed delivery and installation to ensure customer satisfaction
- Provided a decorators recommendation on In-Home Custom Window Treatments, including hard window coverings, soft window coverings (curtains/draperies), bedding, and other home treatments to achieve maximum sales volume
- Coverings products and services, using this knowledge to build sales and customer base
- Built customer base, through lead generation, prospecting, networking, presentations, exceptional customer service, building relationships with existing customer, referrals, and communicating effectively
- Demonstrated enthusiastic and positive attitude while paying close attention to detail, design, and esthetic.
Interior Designer
Interior Connection Associates
Mesa, AZ
09.2004 - 05.2008
- Conducted in-home consultations for full-service residential design firm
- Designed customized portfolios for clients to include drafting, space planning and renderings
- Selected all case pieces, soft goods, flooring, fabrics, window and wall treatment and accessories
- Developed key client relationships by providing design solutions that met needs and budgets without compromising quality or design intent.
- Consulted with clients to determine architectural preference to meet overall design goals.
- Interfaced effectively with contractors and vendors to resolve issues and discuss ideas.
Education
Associates of Applied Science - Interior Design
2003
Certification in Interior Design - undefined
2001
Skills
- Technical Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Mac iOS
- Salesforce
- CAD
- JD Edwards
- Storis
- REVIT
Timeline
Visual Merchandiser - Bassett Furniture
09.2020 - Current
Interior Design Purchasing Assistant - Troon Golf
02.2020 - 04.2020
Design Consultant - Bassett Furniture
04.2019 - 01.2020
Designer - Interior Logic Group/Shea Homes, Vistancia
06.2017 - 07.2018
Design Consultant - KB Home
09.2014 - 05.2017
Design Consultant/Inside Sales - Facings of America
09.2012 - 09.2014
Inside Sales Support - Ann Sacks Tile and Stone
12.2010 - 09.2012
Design Consultant - JCPenney
06.2008 - 12.2010
Interior Designer - Interior Connection Associates
09.2004 - 05.2008
Scottsdale Community College - Associates of Applied Science, Interior Design
American Institute of Interior Design - Certification in Interior Design,
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