At Early Settler, we’re passionate about helping people create homes they truly love living in. Since 1985, we’ve been known for stylish, affordable, and built-to-last furniture and homewares that bring comfort, personality, and warmth into everyday living.
We’re more than just a furniture retailer - we’re a creative, customer-focused business powered by people who genuinely love what they do. From inspiring room solutions to exceptional customer experiences, our teams are passionate about making every customer feel at home.
Why Join Us?
Here at Early Settler, we’re looking for people who share our passion for beautiful living and exceptional customer experiences. We love what we do and we love to support each other to hit our goals.
This is how we get the best of we with the best of me.
To support our most important asset, YOU, we provide you with:
Amazing team member discounts on our fabulous products
Holistic wellbeing programs to support you to be your best self
Career development opportunities across ANZ
A fun, supportive and collaborative team environment
The opportunity to work in a creative, inspiring retail environment every day
Job Description
What is the role?
We’re looking for a creative, customer-focused and commercially minded Visual Merchandiser & Interior Design Retail Consultant to join our Hawke’s Bay team.
This is a unique hybrid role combining interior styling, consultative retail selling, and hands-on visual merchandising. You’ll work closely with customers to help them create beautiful spaces they love, while also ensuring our stores are presented to an exceptional visual standard.
You’ll bring customer spaces to life through personalised styling advice, whole-home solutions, and inspiring product presentation - while also supporting strong sales outcomes and creating memorable in-store experiences.
This is the perfect opportunity for someone who loves interiors, enjoys connecting with people, and thrives in a fast-paced retail environment where no two days are the same.
Our team members know how to Keep It Real and Be Experts to ensure our teams are engaged and committed to Adding Value and Making the customer journey Personal by creating an inspirational customer experience. We love what we do, and we are looking for people who share in our vision and goals.
Desired Skills and Experience
Key Responsibilities
Interior Design & Customer Experience
Deliver personalised in-store interior styling consultations to guide and support our customers in creating coordinated room and whole-home solutions
Provide customers with layout planning, colour palettes, materials and styling advice
Build strong customer relationships that encourage repeat business and referrals
Partner with the wider sales team to support conversion opportunities across the store
Sales Performance
Drive sales through consultative selling and proactive follow-up
Achieve individual sales targets and KPI’s
Upsell and cross-sell across furniture and homewares categories
Promote Home Club membership and current promotional activity
Accurately manage POS processes, quotes, ETAs and customer follow-up
Visual Merchandising
Implement visual merchandising direction and seasonal campaigns
Maintain high presentation standards across the showrooms
Execute VM launches, ticketing and styling updates
Identify opportunities to improve customer inspiration and conversion through presentation
Who are we looking for?
You’re someone who genuinely loves interiors, styling and customer connection. You’re commercially aware, highly organised, and know how to create an exceptional in-store experience that feels personal and inspiring.
You’ll also bring:
Previous retail sales experience with a strong track record of achieving targets
Visual merchandising experience within furniture, homewares or lifestyle retail
A passion for interior styling and creating whole-home solutions
Strong customer engagement and relationship-building skills
Confidence using digital tools and retail systems
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
A positive, hands-on attitude and willingness to roll up your sleeves
The ability to work independently while contributing positively to the wider team
A valid driver’s licence and flexibility to travel between local stores when required
As we are a furniture retailer, this role involves regular manual handling including lifting, carrying and moving products of varying sizes. Applicants must be physically capable of safely performing these tasks as part of their daily duties.
Why you’ll love this role
This is more than a retail role - it’s an opportunity to combine creativity, styling, sales and customer experience in a role where you can genuinely make an impact.
You’ll help customers create homes they love while working in a beautiful environment alongside a passionate and supportive team.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now!
*Applicants must be a NZ citizen, resident, or hold a valid visa with the right to work in New Zealand.
*Roster - 40 hours per week - Wednesday - Sunday
*Due to the volume of applications received, only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.
