CR architecture + design, Seattle, WA, US, Technical Associate

As a Technical Associate, I worked for 2 years on the Kroger team before transitioning to the Starbucks team at CR. I work as part of the CR team, in conjunction with MEP and Structural consultants, to coordinate our drawings, go through the building permit process, and provide a quality construction drawing set for our clients. My responsibilities include:
Starbucks:
Completing site visits and due diligence reports, as part of the pre-design phases as well as for as-built verification
Project lead for construction document production and Revit modeling and on numerous projects
Coordinating with MEP consultants and Starbucks design standards. On a typical Starbucks project our primary coordination concerns are typically addressing HVAC needs in the variety of landlord-provided shell building types, and coordinating with electrical to maintain lighting design intent and preferred lighting levels.
Work with team members to establish and maintain CR Starbucks standards. This includes modeling best practices, Revit project template management, and creation of guides for typical tasks to use as part of the on-boarding/training process.
Help create and maintain internal detail library for use across Starbucks projects and regions. This includes tacking updates in the Starbucks-provided detail kits as well as establishing new details for recurring design conditions.
Creating cafe designs from scratch per Starbucks standards, in direct coordination with Starbucks store designers. This includes both new store designs, as well as 'elevated minor' renovations.
Creating multiple custom Revit families for use in Starbucks projects.
Kroger:
Project lead in producing construction documents for multiple projects. Also assist in general production for projects in other regions, as needed based on current schedules and staffing allocations.
Working with Kroger PMs and developers to obtain Jurisdictional approval for proposed project elevations. This is primarily about coordinating regional discrepancies from Kroger national prototypical standard stores, developer's specific requests, and responding to specific jurisdiction elevation requirements.
Point person on tracking and coordinating CA review for multiple ongoing projects. This includes some review of architectural submittals and RFIs, in addition to coordinating review timelines and responses with consultants
Developing, communicating, and maintaining program standards as part of the CR-internal Kroger Standards and Prototype committee

La-Z-Boy Galleries - Interior Design Department, Fredericksburg, VA, US, Interior Design Assistant

BASIC FUNCTION:
Working closely with the store's Interior Designer, create sales utilizing exceptional customer service and knowledge of La-Z-Boy products and services. Assist with clients in Design Center in-store as well as at the client’s home to create individualized design solutions. Coordinates with Designer for space planning, fabric coordination, and product selection. Assist the Interior Designer in designing and creating comfortable and functional environments that represent client’s lifestyle, taste and budget. Develops awareness of interior design through practical experience, observation and interaction with a La-Z-Boy Designer. Strive to create long-term customer relationships that will lead to increased sales and profitability

In-Home Design:
-Schedule professional home consultations to present customized room designs, including sample fabrics, furniture, tables and accessory recommendations as well as the benefits of a professional installation service
-Execute and champion the In-Home Design process per company guidelines
-Accurately complete order information, collect deposits and fees, keep orderly customer records, and research customer payments and deliveries
-Responsible to support design related functions in the store and maintain an up to date customized portfolio including before and after pictures of previous In-Home design projects

General Responsibilities:
-Contribute to store sales goals by selling furniture, accessories and services offered by La-Z-Boy
-Assist Interior Designer to achieve established In-Home program sales goals
-Develop and utilize sales skills and principals including approach, rapport building, needs discovery, customized portfolio presentations, answering objections, closing, follow-up, after sale service and continuing contact with all previous and potential customers
-Maintain strong knowledge of features and benefits of existing and new product line
-Assist with maintenance of the overall visual appearance of store, this includes but is not limited to assist to maintain floor and/or showroom displays, tagging of products and accessories, maintaining accessory catalogs and design center fabrics, and maintaining general store cleanliness