The posting
POSITION SUMMARY The Operations Administrator/Visual Merchandiser (OA/VM) position combines the roles of the OA and VM. Overall responsibilities will include performing daily and monthly operational tasks in a timely manner to support the Design Center’s fiscal goals, providing administrative support for inventory control, customer service inquiries and accounts reconciliation, and implementing and maintaining appropriate floor displays in accordance with the Visual Merchandising Guidelines and the current Ethan Allen branded projection. Incumbent may be assigned to one or more Design Centers in order to provide optimal support of visual merchandising activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations Administrator
Coordinate with the Design and Management Team to provide exceptional service to customers, before and after the sale. Assist in procurement of supplies for the Design Center and coordinate efforts with the Design Center Manager to ensure the Design Center is operating and safe in accordance with company policy. Work cooperatively in maintaining a neat and orderly Design Center projection. Work closely with Visual team tagging merchandise. Partner with delivery schedulers and delivery team to manage the flow of information regarding status of customer orders and deliveries, follow-up service, etc. between the service center and the design center staff. Work with manufacturing plants on cancellations, dye lot matches and order status. Prepare and ensure Daily Folders are completed and balanced in accordance with company policy. Assist with bank reconciliation and charge backs. Ensure all cash transactions, including charge cards and bank deposits, are reconciled, properly deposited and accurately recorded in the ledger. Process blind cash balancing and exceptions. Review and control open order reports and workroom logs. Communicate with Design Consultants as needed, to inquire on the status of orders, schedule deliveries/pick-ups, prepare Installation Verification Worksheets, and invoice out orders that need to be completed. Handle incoming communication from customers. Research and resolve customer inquiries in accordance with company guidelines. Monitor customer problems and identify recurring issues and trends. Collaborate with Design Center Manager on customer service concerns. Monitor daily delivered business, including scheduling regular and fly-by deliveries. Maintain Customer Pick-Up file to ensure accurate invoicing of product from the Design Center. Oversee and/or assist with custom Softgoods orders to ensure materials are properly received and transferred to fabricators, and track progress through to completion and delivery/installation. Identify unrecorded delivered sales and implement procedures to prevent future occurrences. Maintain petty cash fund ensuring appropriate approval on all petty cash expenditures. Maintain accurate inventory reporting for the Design Center. Prepare for and assist with Quarterly Cycle count preparation, scanning and reconciliation. Review all transfers for the Design Center, and oversee and/or assist with receiving inventory into the Design Center. Assist customers, front desk, and design consultants as needed. Participate and comply with all EHS/EFEC programs and procedures related to environmental sustainability, stewardship and recycling efforts.
Visual Merchandiser
Oversee and maintain the interior and exterior environment of assigned Design Centers per the Visual Merchandising Guidelines. Assist and work with design staff at assigned Design Centers to ensure visual merchandising objectives are met based on corporate guidelines. Train design center staff on design and product knowledge to ensure optimal sales. Assist Design Centers with managing obsolete and overstock inventory and maintaining inventory levels within established Ethan Allen benchmarks including assistance with the Discontinued Product Report, Available-to-Sell Report and the Rate of-Sale Report. Assist design team with preparation of accents for presentation to clients. May assist design consultants in home calls and presentation requested. Participate with training of design consultants to build accent sales. Participate in all Visual Exchange Web Casts. Participation in all Ethan Allen events, as required. Assist with cycle counts and tagging of merchandise.
QUALIFICATIONS Education/Experience: Associates Degree in Fine Arts, Merchandising, Interior Design or equivalency with a minimum of two years experience in operations and visual merchandising in a high-end hard line retail environment. Business and Furniture experience desirable. Other Requirements: Strong organizational and communication skills. Strong computer skills and accounting knowledge. Strong attention to detail, with both numbers and space planning. Ability to analyze inventory data and implement floor moves. Knowledge of design, fashion trends and products. Ability to work with others in a team setting. Self-motivated with a positive attitude and high energy. Position requires a valid driver’s license, except in limited circumstances in which the associate can establish to the Company’s satisfaction that they have available for use during all business hours an alternate means of transportation not requiring the operation of a motor vehicle which will enable them to conduct company business off-site as requested. Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings. Compensation The hourly rate for this Full-Time position ranges from $21 to $24, depending on experience. Benefits Benefits are an important part of Ethan Allen compensation and is based upon weekly hours. Ethan Allen is committed to offering a variety of benefits that allow associates to choose whether or not to participate based on personal and family needs. Some of the benefits offered are 401(k) plan (with Employer contributions), multiple Medical Plans with Prescription Drug Coverage, Health Savings Account (including Employer contributions), Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Basic Group Term Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Supplemental Group Term Life & AD&D Insurance, Dependent Group Term Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability, Business Travel Accident Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Health Care & Dependent Care, Commuter Saving Plans – Public Transit & Parking, Voluntary Whole Life Insurance, Voluntary Critical Care Insurance, Voluntary Accident Insurance and Employee Assistance Program. Benefit availability varies based on full-time or part-time employee classification.
