Sales Design
Resume:
SARAH JEAN FRETWELL, ASID
Henderson NV 89002
*****@********.**
QUALIFICATIONS
Over twenty-five years diverse experience in upscale and luxury home
residential interior design and merchandising. Background includes high end
interior design, project management, specifying, pricing strategies,
purchasing, sales, marketing and design management positions in several
independent design firms, and a large model home merchandising company
servicing luxury homebuilders though out the country. Experienced in
merchandising and sales in design center "EXPO" type chains. ASID
Professional; NCIDQ certified since 1992.
Extensive background in 2020 CAD program, with heavy emphasis on kitchen
design, bathroom design, elevations, floor plans, space planning, lighting
and built-ins. Construction experience includes plan critique, reviewing
and modifying plans as needed, resourcing, and designing and coordinating
selections with the end buyer, preparing working drawings as needed,
creating finish schedules, preparing boards and documents as needed for
client presentations. Also working with contractors to provide
specifications, drawings and perform walk-throughs to verify construction
quality standards are implemented. Experienced in vendor negotiations,
purchasing and pricing products. Expert in tracking and managing projects
from start to completion. Instrumental in design and implementation of
innovative strategies to promote sales through advertising, home shows,
model homes, and consumer clinics.
Also experienced in buying, designing, selling, and project management of
both in-stock inventory and special order goods. Expertise in furniture,
accessories, window treatments, custom drapery, drapery hardware, flooring,
carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, case goods, decorative lighting, and
decorative finishes.
Strong analytical and computer skills integral to forecasting, budgeting,
and performance tracking. Proficient in Excel, Word. Proven record of
increasing sales revenues, and profit margins. Have maintained excellent
relationships with clients.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Blue Heron LLC, Las Vegas, NV 2012 to
February 2013
Designer
Designer for high end custom homebuilder. Handled multiple high end
projects in various stages of the design and construction process.
Responsibilities included design, client interaction, product selections,
specification, pricing and sales of upgraded product. Specified
furnishings for the New American 2013 Model Home.
SJF Interiors, LLC, Frederick, Maryland
2004 to 2012
Principal and Senior Designer
Owner of an independent, high end, full service, residential interior
design business. Experienced in all aspects of residential interior
design, including plan critique, assessing floor plans, space planning, CAD
drawings, perspectives, and elevations. Presentation and construction
documents are produced in CAD, and include fully colored 3D renderings
that enable a "no surprise design" best practice. Member of NKBA, with
over fifteen years' experience in full kitchen and bath design, custom
cabinetry and molding designs. Experienced in all finish selections,
furnishings selections, window treatment designs, lighting plans and color
schemes.
Responsible for interior design, sales, profits and day-to-day operations.
Instituted and set up all vendor accounts, procurement procedures and
accounting practices, and hired and managed staff to assist in design,
sales, office and project management. Company is currently inactive.
Builders' Design Gaithersburg, Maryland
2001-2004
Vice President of Design
Responsible for the Model Interiors Department for one of the largest, most
established interior merchandisers in the United States. Responsible for
leading a team of thirty direct report Senior and Associate Interior
Designers in the design, presentation and installation of over 400 model
homes annually. Clients included midscale and luxury homebuilders
throughout many US states and metropolitan areas. Projects types ranged
from in -fill custom lots in metro areas to large, full scale nationally
recognized developments. Properties included single family, town homes,
high rise condos, lofts, and resort communities. As VP responsibilities
included managing the design process to ensure the model was appropriately
designed for the target market, and that the end product was memorable,
exciting and sold homes, while coming in on budget and on time. +
Member of the Senior Management Team. Introduced many technological
updates, including computerizing the design process to include CAD drawings
done by designers instead of the drafting department, and created
electronic presentations. Managed the vendor selections and negotiations,
and increased company profits in this arena. Hired, trained and managed
design staff, developed in-house presentation training and trend
forecasting.
HOMEBASE / HOUSE2HOME Irvine, California
1997-2001
Design Center Manager - Store Operations Corporate
Responsible for $90M in special order custom products, sales, profits and
day-to-day operations of Design Centers in 89 stores across the western
United States. Analyzed existing special order policies, procedures,
training and merchandise and implemented changes to increase profits,
productivity and quality of design services offered. Effectively managed
700 dotted-line design, sales and administrative staff.
. Surpassed all previous % of store sales. Increased productivity by
15%, while reducing payroll expense. Produced record profit margins.
Increased customer satisfaction. Created specification and
organizational documents that implemented procedures to streamline
processes, maintain design integrity, and increase efficiency.
Responsible for coordination among merchandising, MIS, visual
presentation, and training departments to insure success of special
order programs and gift registries.
. Spearheaded program to offer discounts to certified design
professionals. Responsible for marketing and day-to-day operations,
including trade shows and designer-targeted events.
THE HOME DEPOT Fullerton, California 1995-1997
Decor Merchant - West Coast Division
Responsible for buying $135M in-stock and special order window treatments
and wall coverings in 130 stores. Exceeded sales, margin, turns, and
GIMROI budgets. Analyzed product mix and eliminated SKU duplication.
Negotiated vendor buying and marketing agreements. Performed vendor cost
analysis and established retail pricing. Merchandized d cor departments in
22 new stores. Negotiated special buys.
. Introduced showroom style merchandising by combining soft and hard window
treatments in 40 stores. Re-positioned higher-end, higher-profit
products to premier position, resulting in 60% increase in sales.
Introduced full-color lifestyle advertising for design products and
services.
HOME QUARTERS Virginia Beach, Virginia
1994-1995
Kitchen Field Merchandiser - Store Operations
Responsible for design and development of premier Kitchen and Bath
departments in 85 stores throughout the eastern United States with sales of
$90M. Worked closely with store planning, merchants and vendors to design
and specify products and displays. Worked with MIS department to transform
manual tracking system into computerized system. Designed and rolled out
training curriculum for store designers, emphasizing general design,
selling skills, product knowledge, and computer design.
Created commission program for designers, resulting in 135% increase in
sales
. Coordinated construction and merchandising of Kitchen and Bath
departments in 30 stores over twelve months, which evolved through six
generations of prototypes.
. Appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Kitchen & Bath
Association. Chairman-Elect of the Board of Governors of Multi-Branch
Retailers.
PAYLESS CASHWAYS Kansas City, Missouri 1990-
1993
Showroom Manager - Home and Room Design - Merchandising/Store Operations
Responsible for design concept and management of new, high-end showroom.
Coordinated with builders, remodelers, facilities management, designers,
and clients for layouts, selections, finish schedules, lighting, cabinets,
tiles, flooring and built-ins, and displays. Negotiated with vendors as to
product and pricing. Worked with Human Resources to define staffing needs,
recruit and train design staff. Developed marketing and image plan, ran
day-to-day operations, and directed sales and design functions.
. Attracted 80 new product lines to the showroom, assuring products met or
exceeded standards for the concept.
. Developed a model home and builder package program that resulted in 17
models developed for market in first year. Built relations with vendors,
builders, design companies, and customers.
Regional Kitchen Sales Coordinator - Merchandising
Hired for this newly created position, with responsibilities for sales
management, training, motivation and increased exposure for kitchen sales
in 44 stores. Developed and presented sales and design training seminars,
as well as quarterly sales meetings throughout the region. Handled vendor
negotiations and resolved related issues. Developed a successful Home Show
Program. Managed a $16 million sales budget.
CONSOLIDATED FLOORING SERVICES Reno, Nevada
1988-1990
Senior Designer
Hired to develop incremental sales and design services for large contract
flooring company, a division of Monroe Schneider. Performed retail sales of
designer products, furnishings and flooring to both retail and contract
accounts. Developed model home presentations, marketing and management of
key projects. Clients included residential tract developers, multi-family
developers and managers, commercial accounts, independent remodelers and
builders, medical offices, senior housing, government agencies, hospitality
and resort companies. Responsible for adding new vendors to resource
library, as well as installers, artisans, and workrooms, and for
negotiating pricing.
WENDELL NORRIS AND ASSOCIATES Reno, Nevada 1986-1988
Senior Designer
Project manager and designer/salesperson for high-end residential and
commercial accounts. Client mix 80% high-end residential, 20% light
commercial including retail, hospitality, resort, medical and model homes,
including award winning showcase homes. Maintained excellent relations with
contractors, installers, artisans, vendors and workrooms.
Previous to 1986: Owned and managed design company including all
operational, sales and design aspects. Opened and maintained accounts with
over 200 in-stock and special order vendors. Expertise included all aspects
of interior decoration, furniture, finishes and systems. Worked with
residential builders, medical offices, light industrial and retail clients.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION
NCIDQ Certified, Certificate Number 10247
3 years Liberal Arts, Western Baptist College, Salem, Oregon
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/EXPERIENCES
Professional Member, American Society of Interior Design
Board of Directors, National Kitchen and Bath Association
California Dept of Education Home Economics Careers and Technology
Standards Board
Executive Committee, Home Builders Association
Design Seminar Presenter at Smithsonian
Contact this candidate