Produce Merchandising Specialist
About the job
- No prior produce or merchandising experience is required.
- Basic technology skills using mobile devices for email, photos, and text messaging are required.
- Ability to lift 30 pounds to shoulder height unassisted is required.
- Ability to work with refrigerated and frozen food items in cooler and freezer cases is required.
- A flexible work schedule, including some evening and weekend work, is required.
- Reliable transportation for daily visits to store and venue locations is required.
- Strong communication, influence, and problem-solving skills are required.
- Represent Affinity Group in an ethical and professional manner.
- Travel daily to retail locations.
- Sell and merchandise brand products effectively.
- Develop, support, train, and implement merchandising directives as directed.
- Develop and maintain relationships with department staff and store managers.
- Provide ongoing feedback on store-level performance.
- Handle store complaints and challenges as they arise.
- Monitor and report competitor activity at the store level.
- Manage the effective integration and utilization of Affinity technology systems and platforms.
- Inspect and move product in cooler, freezer, and storage areas.
- Rotate floor stock of refrigerated and frozen food items in cooler and freezer cases.
About the company
Affinity Group is a North American food sales and marketing agency that works as a broker to help brands grow in both foodservice and retail channels. It provides sales strategy, culinary support, store-level merchandising and planning, plus category management and consumer-trend insights. The company leverages data and analytics to guide decision-making and deliver real-time results for clients, with divisions for foodservice and retail offering tailored solutions such as menu development, marketing insights, and perishables brokerage. It differentiates itself through its dual-channel focus, a track record of acquisitions to broaden reach (Matrix Sales & Marketing and Jon Morris & Co.), and ongoing data integration and AI enhancements through a partnership with Mascari NXT. Its goal is to drive sales growth and stronger brand performance for client brands across the North American market by turning data and market insights into practical sales and merchandising plans.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Charlotte, North Carolina
Founded
2014
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- PR Newswire said the Mascari NXT deal expands customer reach by 50%.
- Datassential's May 2026 case study validates Affinity's pitch-to-win execution with measurable placements.
- Leadiq noted December 2025 produce leadership hiring, signaling continued channel-specific investment.
What critics are saying
- Mascari NXT integration in 2026 risks distraction and culture clash across sales teams.
- Small-company profile and 51-200 employees create client-concentration risk if one account leaves.
- AI selling is becoming table stakes; competitors can copy it within twelve months.
What makes Affinity Group unique
- January 2026 Mascari NXT acquisition adds AI-driven selling to food brokerage.
- Affinity Group combines foodservice, retail, and fresh-channel coverage under one sales agency.
- Datassential's May 2026 case study showed 2 LTO wins and one permanent menu placement.
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Benefits
Phone/Internet Stipend
Flexible Work Hours
Company News
Affinity Group, a leading North American sales and marketing agency, today announced the acquisition of Mascari NXT, an AI and data integration company. As a subsidiary of Affinity Group, the company will operate as Mascari NXT, An Affinity Group Company. This acquisition marks a major step in Affinity Group’s long-term strategy to advance food industry […]