CMO / Chief Merchandise Officer

As a Chief Merchandise Officer at Spread Design, your role is to turn students into believers, alumni into ambassadors, and a university into a brand. Spread Design is a studio in Bengaluru that focuses on creating fresh transdisciplinary systems by integrating new technologies like AI. Your work will involve pushing boundaries, creating systems at scale, and moving fluidly across disciplines.

Key Responsibilities: - Merchandise Strategy & Product Development - Develop and execute the university merchandise strategy aligned with the institution's brand and culture. - Identify merchandise opportunities across apparel, accessories, stationery, gifts, memorabilia, collectibles, and event-specific products.
- Create annual merchandise calendars linked to admissions, graduations, alumni events, sports, festivals, and institutional milestones.
- Ensure all products reflect the university's brand guidelines and values.

• Design & Creative Management - Lead the design and development of merchandise concepts and collections.

- Work with in-house designers, freelancers, agencies, and student creators to develop innovative products.
- Approve artwork, packaging, branding, and product specifications.
- Ensure consistency of visual identity across all merchandise categories.

• Production & Vendor Management - Identify, evaluate, and onboard manufacturing partners and suppliers.

- Negotiate pricing, quality standards, delivery schedules, and contracts.
- Monitor product quality, production timelines, and compliance with sustainability and ethical sourcing standards.
- Drive cost optimization without compromising quality.

• Retail & E-Commerce Operations - Manage campus merchandise stores, kiosks, pop-up outlets, and online sales channels.

- Develop pricing, promotions, and merchandising strategies.
- Enhance customer experience across physical and digital touchpoints.
- Coordinate merchandising during university events, convocations, sports meets, and alumni gatherings.

• Inventory & Supply Chain Management - Forecast demand and manage inventory levels.

- Minimize stock-outs and excess inventory.
- Implement inventory tracking and reporting systems.
- Monitor product performance and optimize product mix.

• Sales & Revenue Growth - Achieve annual sales and profitability targets.

- Develop initiatives to increase merchandise penetration among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors.
- Explore partnerships, licensing opportunities, and corporate gifting programs.
- Analyze sales data and customer insights to improve revenue growth.

If you are an organized, self-directed, design-obsessed individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and sees design as a force for progress, then this opportunity at Spread Design is for you. As a Chief Merchandise Officer at Spread Design, your role is to turn students into believers, alumni into ambassadors, and a university into a brand. Spread Design is a studio in Bengaluru that focuses on creating fresh transdisciplinary systems by integrating new technologies like AI. Your work will involve pushing boundaries, creating systems at scale, and moving fluidly across disciplines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Merchandise Strategy & Product Development - Develop and execute the university merchandise strategy aligned with the institution's brand and culture.

- Identify merchandise opportunities across apparel, accessories, stationery, gifts, memorabilia, collectibles, and event-specific products.
- Create annual merchandise calendars linked to admissions, graduations, alumni events, sports, festivals, and institutional milestones.
- Ensure all products reflect the university's brand guidelines and values.

• Design & Creative Management - Lead the design and development of merchandise concepts and collections.

- Work with in-house designers, freelancers, agencies, and student creators to develop innovative products.
- Approve artwork, packaging, branding, and product specifications.
- Ensure consistency of visual identity across all merchandise categories.

• Production & Vendor Management - Identify, evaluate, and onboard manufacturing partners and suppliers.

- Negotiate pricing, quality standards, delivery schedules, and contracts.
- Monitor product quality, production timelines, and compliance with sustainability and ethical sourcing standards.
- Drive cost optimization without compromising quality.

• Retail & E-Commerce Operations - Manage campus merchandise stores, kiosks, pop-up outlets, and online sales channels.

- Develop pricing, promotions, and merchandising strategies.
- Enhance customer experience across physical and digital touchpoints.
- Coordinate merchandising during university events, convocations, sports meets, and alumni gatherings.

• Inventory & Supply Chain Management

- Forecast demand and manage inventory levels.
- Minim