E

Empire Marketing Strategies

Kroger-exclusive food brokerage and in-store execution

Retail Specialist

Full-Time
$17 - $18/hr
Entry
Nashville, TN, USA
In PersonRegular travel between work sites is required; additional travel may include overnight stays.
RetailMerchandising

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • A current driver's license and a clean Motor Vehicle Report are required.
  • The ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel regularly between work sites is required; additional travel may include overnight stays.
  • The role requires prolonged standing for 80% of the time and regularly changing positions among sitting, squatting, standing, and kneeling.
  • The role requires regularly lifting and moving 25–35 pounds and occasionally lifting and moving 40–60 pounds.
  • Regular use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms is required.
  • Close vision and the ability to see objects, computer-screen information, or written information from 20–40 feet are required.
  • Regular operation of a personal motor vehicle, manual pallet jacks, and hand trucks is required.
  • Knowledge or use of Microsoft Excel is required.
  • The role requires the ability to write clear and concise correspondence, accurately exchange information, present information individually or in groups, and read and comprehend instructions and correspondence.
  • The role requires the ability to work autonomously, drive results, solve practical problems with limited standardization, interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule instructions, and perform basic arithmetic.
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 in-store merchandising standards by building displays, packing out product, replenishing permanent secondary displays, and maintaining the salability of authorized items.
  • Rotate perishable merchandise as required by manufacturers and conduct freshness checks when required.
  • Check store shelf tags regularly to ensure continued distribution and assist with product reordering.
  • Meet and maintain retail objectives and shelf standards throughout the assigned territory.
  • Set sections to the customer's schematic or stocking plan when required or beneficial to manufacturers or clients.
  • Maintain distribution of manufacturer-client products approved by the Kroger family of companies or the Planogram team.
  • Sell and service principal accounts represented by Empire, ensuring authorized items are on shelves and properly priced and tagged.
  • Maintain and update territorial records, review sales reports, track progress toward assigned goals, and report competitive information through appropriate channels.
  • Submit complete and timely reports using supplied forms and requested frequencies, including use of PowerBI or Go Spot Check to report on goals and targets.
  • Set up manufacturer or client brand displays according to customer regulations and display objectives.
  • Coordinate with Operations to execute promotional programs, including reporting and future order requirements.
  • Place point-of-sale materials and Instant Redeemable Coupons in stores as required by manufacturers or clients and approved by the retailer.
  • Build and maintain rapport with store personnel in assigned territories and demonstrate proper product preparation or display to customer employees.
  • Communicate 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

E

Empire Marketing Strategies

View

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

Get referred to Empire Marketing Strategies

See people who can refer or advise you

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.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

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