Associate Manager

ABOUT THE TEAM:

The Strategy and Policy Division (SPD) of the Quality Council of India (QCI) is a team of young professionals working to augment the capacity of government bodies in policy making and to formulate high-level strategies for projects that address national priorities. We function as a high-impact consulting group within QCI: a fast-paced, mission-driven unit whose work sits at the intersection of policy, research and project management.

Our work spans strategic transformation of service lines across QCI's boards and divisions, conceptualisation and launch of new projects and proposals aligned to national priorities, strategic research and advisory on current and emerging policies, quality assurance, and technology-led transformations, and comprehensive research and assessment studies for central and state government bodies.

ROLE SUMMARY:

As Retail Specialist within the Project Management Unit, you lead market analysis, competitor study, brand strategy, SKU rationalisation and consumer insights across a national retail network. You establish outlet-level profitability, determine the operating model appropriate to each location, and design a format architecture that supports premium positioning, so that the retail estate ceases to be a net drain and earns its place commercially. You bring a retail practitioner's command of formats, assortment and consumer behaviour to a national transformation.

The role blends retail strategy, consumer insight, and commercial design on a high-visibility national programme.

WHY THIS ROLE IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY:

You will be at the epicentre of policy and execution, translating the Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision into actionable, on-the-ground projects that affect millions of lives, rather than producing reports and opinion pieces alone.

We are looking for individuals who want to look back at their careers and point to a specific national programme and say, I helped build that. If you have intellectual rigour, a strong commitment to public service, and the resilience to navigate complex challenges, this is the place for you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The role carries clearly defined ownership across the following areas, applied to the engagements to which you are assigned:

• Market & Competitor Analysis: Lead market analysis, competitor study and consumer insight across the retail network to inform strategy and positioning.
• Brand & Assortment Strategy: Develop retail brand strategy, assortment plans and SKU rationalisation aligned to consumer demand and margin.
• Outlet Profitability: Establish profitability across the network reconciled to audited accounts, and develop disposition plans (retain-and-invest / reposition / convert / relocate / close) with financial effect stated.
• Format Architecture: Design a retail format architecture and assortment plan that supports premium positioning, and a franchise proposition with a model agreement.
• Operating Standards: Develop a retail operating standards manual and support channel diversification across offline, e-commerce and institutional channels.
• Implementation-Ready Design: Convert findings into implementation-ready retail strategy the client can adopt and operate.
• Quality Assurance & Delivery Governance: Own the quality of retail deliverables and compliance with confidentiality, data-ownership and Government of India data-governance requirements.
• Stakeholder Management: Engage with retail, marketing and operations counterparts, and present findings clearly and with calibrated confidence.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA & REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: Degree in Business, Marketing, Retail Management, Economics, or a related field is required.
• Experience: 4 to 8 years of professional experience in retail strategy, category/brand management, handicraft/e-commerce/retail brands, including outlet profitability and format/assortment design.
• Preferred: Prior experience with multi-outlet retail networks, franchise models, omni-channel retail and premium positioning.