High Level Purpose of the Role:
The Design Trainer is responsible for developing and delivering dynamic, relevant, and practical training programs that elevate the skills of dealer designers and internal team members. Partnering across Sales, Training, Marketing, and eTools, this role ensures designers are equipped to specify effectively, embrace evolving tools, and align with Kimball International’s product and digital strategies. The Design Trainer creates and leads both virtual and in-person learning experiences—including webinars, workshops, and live practicums—designed to strengthen product knowledge, improve CET proficiency, and drive specification accuracy.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Dealer Designer Training & Engagement focuses on equipping dealership designers with design and specification skills to enhance the customer experience through design applications or live design. It includes webinars and live practicums focused on design applications, CET specification knowledge, and customer-centric design. Engaging dealers in this way boosts their ability to create appealing spaces and accurate specifications, ultimately strengthening customer connections and driving sales.
- Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to create, host, or participate in in-market dealer designer trainings and workshops, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and regional needs.
- Work with the internal Training team to identify opportunities for improvement and new training initiatives based on the needs of designers. Create content for KIU, webinars, and unique training opportunities based on that feedback.
- Encourage Dealer Designer engagement by hosting Monthly Design Chats, product specification webinars, and live practicums as needed.
- Initiate the Dealer Designer onboarding by crafting a comprehensive program, ensuring seamless integration into using KII products and CET extension, and fostering a sense of belonging in our KII family.
- Lead the Dealer Designer live practicum training by creating immersive real-world exercises, providing mentorship, and evaluating performances to cultivate practical design and specification skills.
- Communicate Dealer Designer needs to ensure all eTools extensions take into consideration creature comforts that are critical to a positive CET experience for a Dealer Designer
- Specification Training for internal Design Strategists is essential for ensuring cohesive communication and understanding of new or enhanced product lines. Training equips them with the skills to interpret and convey design requirements accurately, resulting in streamlined collaboration, improved customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver projects that align with client expectations.
- Provide training to Design Strategist staff and our outsource partners on product specification and application, technical capabilities, and CET extension details.
Skills to Perform This Role:
- Training & Facilitation: Proven ability to design and deliver impactful training in both virtual and in-person settings. Brings confidence, clarity, and enthusiasm to showroom environments, dealer events, and live engagement sessions.
- Design & Technical Proficiency: Strong foundation in commercial furniture design with hands-on experience in CET Designer; familiarity with Revit, CAP2020, and presentation tools. Quick to learn new technologies and translate them into real-world applications.
- Communication & Collaboration: Clear, professional communicator who can simplify complex specification concepts and engage effectively across teams—including Sales, Marketing, eTools, and Design Strategy.
- Business-Driven Mindset: Able to identify training needs that align with evolving business priorities. Uses field feedback, data insights, and strategic initiatives to guide content development that supports growth and competitive advantage.
- Team Partnership: Works effectively across departments and with external partners to support shared goals. Builds strong working relationships and maintains alignment across key stakeholders.
- Maintains a polished and engaging presence in all face-to-face environments.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, related field, or equivalent professional experience
- 5+ years of experience in commercial furniture, dealership design or sales, or design-related roles
- This in-market role will require travel & In-Person Presence: Comfortable with regular travel (~50%) to lead showroom trainings, regional events, and dealer sessions
- Prior experience delivering training—either formally or informally—strongly preferred
- Background in interior design or furniture sales, with an understanding of specification and customer engagement
- Advanced proficiency in CET Designer; familiarity with Revit, ProjectMatrix, and other specification tools a plus
- Strong presentation, facilitation, and instructional design skills
- Confident delivering content in both remote and in-person formats, including showroom and event settings
- Highly organized, self-directed, and adaptable
What We Offer:
- A competitive salary range of $65,000 to $85,000, with the actual salary offer based off skills and experience.
- Benefits include:
- Health, Vision & Dental Insurance
- Employee Wellness Programs
- Access to the employee Health Center in Jasper, Indiana
- Retirement 401K Savings Plan with matching company contribution
- Paid Time Off
- Professional Growth & Development opportunities
