Retail Specialist, Handmade@Anant

About Anant National University

Anant National University, India's first DesignX university,is dedicated to training students to devise solutions for global problems. The X in Design X is the symbol drawn from mathematics, representing enhancement. This new learning approach multiplies traditional design pedagogy with liberal arts disciplines, emerging technologies and knowledge drawn from hands-on community experiences to help understand our world better and to devise impactful solutions.

Our multidisciplinary undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in design, architecture, climate action and visual arts harness knowledge from various disciplines and traditional practices to integrate it with cutting-edge technology to address diverse challenges. We train our designers to become solutionaries — revolutionary thinkers with a solution-oriented mindset.

About (Department)

Handmade@Anant, a pop-up store, showcases the artefacts developed by Anant students, staff, faculty and artisans in residence. Through this store, Anant seeks to instil appreciation for artisanal skills and techniques and encourage students and artisans to craft wonders together. It ensures that the tapestry of Indian heritage remains vibrantly alive. The pop-up store also brings together ideas, masterful craftsmanship and cultural influences that mirror the heritage of India’s vibrant art and design tradition.

Job Type

Fulltime, On campus

Reporting to

Head, Aarambh Incubation Center

Required Education Qualification

College degree/advanced qualification in retail management, merchandising, marketing or a related field.

Years of Experience

5–7 years’ experience in retail operations, ideally in high-volume lifestyle, or craft-based stores

Role Summary

We are looking for a motivated and responsible Retail Specialist for Handmade@Anant to manage daily operations of the Handmade Store. The ideal candidate should not only have basic retail and customer service skills but also an understanding of entrepreneurship to support student-led and handmade product initiatives.

Key Responsibility Areas (KRAs)

• Lead all aspects of day-to-day store operations, including staff supervision, cleanliness, and timely opening/closing.
• Ensure stock accuracy, timely replenishment, and effective stock display and rotation.
• Monitor daily, weekly, and monthly sales performance and optimize operations accordingly.
• Maintain high standards of visual merchandising aligned with brand identity.
• Handle customer interactions and sales transactions with professionalism and accuracy.
• Oversee pricing, tagging, and product presentation in coordination with the creative team.
• Maintain records of sales, stock, and supplier/vendor interactions.
• Liaise with student designers, artisans, and vendor partners to onboard new collections and products.
• Support and execute in-store events, seasonal campaigns, and pop-ups to boost sales and visibility.
• Provide feedback on product performance and customer preferences.

Key Skills

• Proven success in delivering on revenue targets, managing store operations independently, and maintaining high visual merchandising standards.
• Strong understanding of day-to-day retail operations, including stock control, cashiering, and customer service.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex messages clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to engage effectively with student designers, artisans, and vendor partners, ensuring inclusive and supportive communication.
• Hands-on experience with billing, stock keeping, POS systems, and inventory reconciliation.
• Exposure to student/startup products or ecosystem is a plus.
• Comfort with digital tools for sales tracking, data entry, and online listings.