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Empire Marketing Strategies

Kroger-exclusive food brokerage and in-store execution

Retail Specialist

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$16 - $18/hr
Entry
Katy, TX, USA
In PersonTerritory includes Katy, Cypress, and Richmond, Texas; regular travel between work sites and occasional overnight travel may be required.
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, change positions regularly, lift and move 25–35 pounds regularly and 40–60 pounds occasionally, and use hands and arms to handle objects and reach.
  • Close vision and ability to view information on computer screens and written materials from 20–40 feet are required.
  • Regular operation of a personal motor vehicle, manual pallet jacks, and hand trucks is required.
  • Proficiency with MS Excel is required.
  • Ability to write clear and concise correspondence, accurately exchange information, present information one-on-one or in groups, comprehend instructions and correspondence, solve practical problems, interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule instructions, and perform basic arithmetic is required.
Responsibilities
  • Call on all stores in the assigned territory at the established call frequency to support Meat/Seafood, Deli/Bakery, Produce, and Grocery suppliers in Kroger stores.
  • Sell and ensure in-store merchandising, including building displays, packing out product, replenishing permanent secondary displays, and maintaining salability of authorized items.
  • Rotate perishable product as required by manufacturers and conduct freshness checks where needed.
  • Check store shelf tags to ensure continued distribution and assist with product reordering.
  • Meet and maintain retail objectives and shelf standards in the assigned territory.
  • Arrange sections according to the customer's schematic or stocking plan when required or beneficial to manufacturers or clients.
  • Maintain full distribution of manufacturer-client products approved by Kroger or its Planogram team.
  • Sell and service represented principal accounts to ensure authorized products are on shelves and properly priced and tagged.
  • Maintain and update territorial records; review sales reports and monitor progress toward assigned goals.
  • Monitor competitors and promptly report relevant information through proper channels; submit complete and timely reports using the required forms and frequency.
  • Use PowerBI or Go Spot Check reporting tools to report on specific goals and targets.
  • Set up manufacturer or client brand displays in accordance with customer regulations and display objectives.
  • Coordinate with Operations on promotional programs, including reporting and future order requirements.
  • Deliver point-of-sale materials and Instant Redeemable Coupons to stores as required by manufacturers or clients and approved by the retailer.
  • Build and maintain rapport with store personnel in assigned territories.
  • Demonstrate proper product preparation or display to customer employees.
  • Communicate in a timely manner by email and telephone; maintain territory files and company-owned office equipment; attend scheduled company meetings; and control expenses within guidelines.
Desired Qualifications
  • One to two years of experience in the CPG, 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