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Empire Marketing Strategies

Kroger-exclusive food brokerage and in-store execution

Retail Specialist

Full-Time
$45k - $50k/yr
Mid
Raleigh, NC, USA
In Person
RetailMerchandising

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • A current driver's license and clean Motor Vehicle Report are required.
  • Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel regularly between work sites, with additional travel as needed that may include overnight stays.
  • Ability to stand for prolonged periods, approximately 80% of the time, and regularly change positions among sitting, squatting, standing, and kneeling.
  • Ability to regularly lift and move 25–35 pounds and occasionally lift and move 40–60 pounds.
  • Ability to regularly use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
  • Close vision and the ability to see objects, computer-screen information, or written information from distances of 20–40 feet.
  • Regular operation of a personal motor vehicle to and from work sites, manual pallet jacks, and hand trucks.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
  • Ability to write clear and concise correspondence and accurately exchange information.
  • Ability to present information effectively in one-on-one or group situations.
  • Ability to read and comprehend simple to sometimes complex instructions, correspondence, and memos.
  • Ability to solve practical problems and handle concrete variables in situations with limited standardization.
  • Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions.
  • Ability to perform arithmetic operations using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Responsibilities
  • Call on all stores in the assigned territory at the established frequency to support Meat/Seafood, Deli/Bakery, Produce, and Grocery suppliers in Kroger stores.
  • Sell and ensure high-quality in-store merchandising, including building displays, packing out product, replenishing permanent secondary displays, and maintaining the salability of authorized items.
  • Rotate perishable merchandise as required by manufacturers and perform freshness checks where required.
  • Check store shelf tags regularly to ensure continued distribution and assist with product reordering.
  • Meet and maintain retail objectives and shelf standards in the assigned territory.
  • Set sections according to customer schematics or stocking plans where required or beneficial to manufacturers or clients.
  • Maintain distribution of manufacturer-client products approved by Kroger companies or the Planogram team.
  • Service principal accounts represented by Empire to ensure authorized items are on shelves and properly priced and tagged.
  • Maintain and update territorial records and review sales reports to track progress toward assigned goals.
  • Monitor competitive activity and report information through the appropriate channels.
  • Submit complete and timely reports using supplied forms and at the requested frequency.
  • Use reporting tools such as Power BI or Go Spot Check to report on goals and targets.
  • Set up manufacturer or client brand displays in accordance with customer regulations and display objectives.
  • Coordinate promotional program execution with Operations, including reporting and future order requirements.
  • Deliver point-of-sale materials and Instant Redeemable Coupons to stores as required by the manufacturer or client and approved by the retailer.
  • Establish and maintain rapport with store personnel in assigned territories.
  • Demonstrate and train customer employees in the proper preparation or display of products.
  • Communicate promptly by email and telephone, maintain territory files and company-owned office equipment, attend scheduled company meetings, and control expenses within guidelines.
  • Perform other duties as required.
Desired Qualifications
  • One to two years of experience related to the consumer packaged goods, grocery, or retail industry is preferred.

About the company

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Empire Marketing Strategies

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Empire Marketing Strategies provides in-store sales support and category management for The Kroger Co. across Kroger banners, deploying department-focused teams to manage shelf presence, planogram compliance, displays, and out-of-stock resolution in 2,500+ stores. The company integrates technology—proprietary out-of-stock alerts, AI shelf monitoring, GoSpotCheck, and Power BI dashboards—alongside data from 84.51° Stratum, Circana, and Kantar to drive category insights and execution. Its approach is grounded in long-standing Kroger partnerships and specialized store-level expertise to support brands in gaining shelf impact. The goal is to help consumer packaged goods brands grow their Kroger market share through hands-on retail execution and data-driven decisions.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

N/A

Founded

1980

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Empire posted 37 open roles on September 9, 2026, signaling expansion.
  • Kroger launched TikTok self-service ads in June 2026, creating more activation demand.
  • Empire’s August 1, 2026 website highlights 300-plus categories and 2026-ready digital operations.

What critics are saying

  • Kroger Precision Marketing centralized insights and self-service tools in 2025, compressing broker value.
  • Empire depends entirely on Kroger; any contract reset would cripple revenue within one renewal cycle.
  • Retail media automation and AI shelf monitoring replace manual brokerage work, threatening margins by 2026.

What makes Empire Marketing Strategies unique

  • Exclusive Kroger broker since 1980 across 2,500-plus stores anchors Empire’s distribution moat.
  • Empire deploys department specialists for meat, deli, produce, and center store execution.
  • Its 84.51° Stratum, Circana, and Kantar-certified insights team sells data-driven category decisions.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Mental Health Support
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Flexible Work Hours