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5 Skills Luxury Home Brands Want in a Showroom Manager

Showroom managers have to be able to achieve top-tier performance metrics with the utmost attention to detail. As one of the keys to success in this role, they are responsible for providing critical support to ensure their team is equipped to meet expectations.

 

Showroom managers are responsible for several duties depending on which industry they work, and many skills and qualities differ when it comes to managing high-end furniture retailers.

Showroom managers typically handle daily tasks such as all aspects of operations and sales. Managing a showroom requires specific creative and business skills that can’t always be taught. Any manager knows that managing creatives is not for the faint of heart, but these managers are the heroes of any showroom.

Luxury brands need managers and producers that are able to balance their employees, the showrooms, suppliers, creativity and, most importantly, time.

Here are five skills we believe every showroom manager should have:

Advanced Verbal & Communication Skills 

Managers must be able to negotiate—and this requires advanced verbal and communication skills. Their entire day is spent negotiating with clients and owners about resources, timelines, budgets, supplies and deliverables.   In these times of supply-chain issues affecting manufacturing and delivery, this is more important than ever.

Luxury furniture brands want to see showroom managers who know how to compromise with a client and ask the right questions to understand everyone’s needs. In order to develop strong relations with clients, you’ll need excellent communication skills. 

Attention to Detail

Showroom managers have to be able to achieve top-tier performance metrics with the utmost attention to detail. As one of the keys to success in this role, they are responsible for providing critical support to ensure their team is equipped to meet expectations.

Many of your key responsibilities will also require you to track and report for all lines of business presented and to develop annual plans for sales, quotas and target markets. Those with top attention to detail skills often enhance their professionalism in the showroom and ensure it makes the best impression on clients.

Other key responsibilities that benefit from attention to detail are inventory control, flow management and other tracking systems that monitor store KPIs and point-of-sale (POS) rollout.

Stellar Organizational Skills

Luxury brands often require excellent sales, communication and customer service skills; they also expect these managers to be goal-oriented and able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Typically, they are responsible for daily operations. Stellar organization skills will help with many of their tasks such as overseeing recruitment and mentoring, managing and developing sales teams as well as overseeing order management by the sales and support teams.

 Advanced Creative Skills 

Along with leadership, you’ll have to provide the vision necessary to ensure that the showroom exceeds the expectations of stakeholders. Your responsibilities will likely include hiring a team that is not only passionate about the store’s mission but also able to apply fashion-forward trends within the showroom.

Typically, you’ll work closely with your creative team to support core assortments and displays. Having such innovative and creative skills demonstrates to luxury brands that you can curate a dynamic team that can drive performance and creates a memorable customer experience.

Passion for all elements of the customer experience

Luxury boutiques and showrooms need problem solvers with incredible interpersonal skills and knowledge of their high-end products and accessories.

The best kind of showroom manager will provide high-level customer service and exceptional hospitality, ensuring that the brand and culture are always present as they speak to clients. The customer’s experience is the top priority for any manager. Providing excellent customer service, from selling ceremony to delivery, creates a compelling experience that will lead to better client retention in the future. 


Are you interested in hiring a boutique or showroom manager, multi-unit leader or director with the right skills? The Bowerman Group specializes in premium and luxury talent staffing across all niches. Reach out today for a consultation or other available services.