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Designer + Customer Service

Wichtermans is part of a collaborative group of companies committed to delivering high-quality products and services across a broad range of custom upholstery design, repair and restoration services. For over 40 years, we’ve been leaders in the custom upholstery industry, applying our skills to custom aircraft, automotive, marine, residential, and commercial furniture restoration, as well as unique items like motorcycle seats. We’re seeking self-motivated individuals with a strong work ethic who can work independently and maintain our standard of excellence. This is a unique opportunity to join a family-owned business that deeply values its employees, offering an expansive career path in a collaborative and professional environment. We want to enjoy our time at work restoring beautiful interiors, and experience the satisfaction when you see that “WOW” in our customer’s eyes.

The Designer + Customer Service position will combine both skills into one position to provide the best customer experience.

In the Customer Service role you will answer phones, responding to text and email inquiries, and help walk-in customers with all aspects of customer communication. The customer service roll also requires the ability to estimate (using the Wichterman’s estimating process), taking in customer information, taking down payments and final payments, working with customers to establish needs/expectations, working with the Wichterman’s team to confirm ability to complete the work as expected.

When applying your skills and talents in the Designer role of this position, you will continue to work closely with customers to help them through the challenge of making appropriate decisions on material types, colors, and overall design detail decisions. You will also coordinate with our technicians on similar design related questions and answers – ensuring the final design is practical, efficient, and stylish. The main difference in the Designer role is in the use of computer technology to generate beautiful renderings of design concepts, and technically accurate models that can be used to cut material with a CNC pattern cutter.  You will use tools like our 3D Scanner, CAD software like 3D Studio Max, Blender, SolidWorks and Revit to design in 3D CAD, and render beautiful designs for customers to aid in the custom design process, and to provide detailed information for our Upholstery Technicians to complete the project to meet the specific plans generated by the Designer in coordination with the customer.

Key Attributes:

Team Player

  • Identifies tasks that need to be accomplished & collaborates with others to get things done
  • Clear communication – verbal and written
  • Enjoys working with others & works well in a team at all levels when needed

Process Improvement

  • Participate in all business processes, & can work with the team to improve processes
  • Enjoys continuous learning and improvement of design, fabrication and maintenance practices, resulting in a safe work environment, and high-quality product

Maintain Compliance

  • Ensure all Regulations are complied with (e.g. OSHA, DOT, FAA, etc.)
  • Ensure all Company Processes are complied with.

What we Require:

Education/Experience Required:

  • The applicant should be confident and have 3+ years’ experience working in a Customer-focused Design role in the automotive, marine, aviation or related industry, or equivalent Technical School training.
  • Training and experience with 3D CAD tools such as 3D Studio Max (3DS Max), Blender, SolidWorks, Revit, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Rhino CAD, Fusion, ProEngineer, or other 3D CAD modeling tools.
  • Must be reliable and seeking a long-term career within the company. (Note: Experience requirement could be reduced based on Portfolio)
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Formal training or significant experience with custom auto, aircraft and/or marine upholstery a plus

Design Skills Required:

  • Ability to actively listen to customers to fully understand the scope and detail of the desired outcome.
  • Proficient with all forms of communication, and willingness to adapt the method that works best for our customer, and also clearly communicates the requirements for the upholstery shop manager and technicians.
  • Excellent administrative skills and written/verbal communication.
  • Willingness to learn and utilize company processes to setup customer contact info, provide detailed information about a given project, add materials to a work order, follow-up on projects to ensure the design requirements are understood being maintained.
  • Training and experience with 3D CAD tools such as 3D Studio Max (3DS Max), Blender, SolidWorks, Revit, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Rhino CAD, Fusion, ProEngineer, or other 3D CAD modeling tools.
  • Ability to develop designs using all types of materials including leathers, vinyl, cloth, carpet and other materials.
  • Color and detail pattern matching

General Requirements:

  • Work well individually and as a member of a team
  • Maintain flexible work schedule (may need to work overtime to meet delivery commitments)
  • Excellent communication skills, written & spoken
  • Punctual
  • Self-motivated
  • Career oriented
  • Detail oriented
  • Bidding/ estimating upcoming jobs, planning the work, advising on fabrics
  • Drug free
  • Clean criminal background

What We Offer:

  • Competitive pay-based on experience and skill set
  • Medical Beneifits (Insurance or HSS qualified Medical Cost Sharing plan)**
  • Retirement benefits (with matching)*
  • Holiday Pay*
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)*
  • Flexible work schedule
  • Excellent, professional work atmosphere
  • Variety of tasks, projects and network of opportunities within the same family of companies across a range of industries
  • Continuous Training; Opportunities to continually improving your skill set
  • Office support hours: Monday – Friday 8am-5pm

* After 90 day probationary period for permanent/full-time employees.

** After 60 day waiting period for permanent/full-time employees.

Wichterman’s reserves the right to conduct a criminal background check and drug test prior to employment, and per ongoing drug test program requirements per DOT requirements.