Retail Specialist

Empire Marketing Strategies; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 41,600 - 45,760; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

80% employer-covered benefits

Full benefits (medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

9 paid holidays annually

Job summary

Empire Marketing Strategies seeks a Retail Specialist to cover Kroger stores within an assigned territory. You will drive in-store merchandising, build displays, and ensure product salability while supporting the sales team.

Responsibilities include promoting displays, replenishing stock, and training store personnel. A valid driver’s license and 1–2 years in CPG/retail are preferred; strong customer service and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• Current driver’s license and clean motor vehicle report (required).
• 1–2 years of CPG/grocery/retail industry related experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Sell and service all principal accounts in assigned territory to keep items on shelf with correct pricing and tagging.
• Maintain territory records and review sales reports to track progress toward goals.
• Set up and maintain promotional displays within customer guidelines.
• Provide customer support and training to store personnel in assigned territory.
• Communicate regularly via email/phone and report data using approved forms.

Skills

CPG knowledge

Retail sales

Customer service

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Description

Job Type: Full-time

About Us

Empire Marketing Strategies has been a leader in delivering exceptional in‑store execution for over 40 years, enhancing the customer experience in grocery retail. Operating in all 18 Kroger divisions across the U.S., we partner with some of the world's top brands to optimize their presence in over 2,500 store locations. Our team thrives on tackling diverse challenges in the fast‑paced retail industry and values dedication, talent, and a passion for excellence.

Why Join Us

• Flexible Monday–Friday work schedule with 9 holidays off
• Competitive salary plus 80% employer‑covered benefits
• Full‑time associates eligible for medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D insurance, disability coverage, a retirement program, mental health support, paid time off, and 9 paid holidays annually
• Part‑time associates eligible for retirement program and mental health support resources
• A dynamic work environment where you’ll make a real impact

Job Summary

Empire supports Meat/Seafood, Deli/Bakery, Produce, and Grocery suppliers in the Kroger stores, which includes calling on all the stores in an assigned territory within the established call frequency. The Retail Specialist will sell and ensure best‑in‑class in‑store merchandising, build displays, pack out product, replenish permanent secondary displays, and maintain the salability of all authorized items.

Essential Functions

• Shelf Maintenance
• Product Analysis & Reporting
• Promotional Display Maintenance
• Customer Support and Training
• Other Administrative Duties
• Physical Requirements

Core Functions

• Shelf Maintenance
• Rotate product as required by manufacturer for perishable merchandise and for merchandise requiring freshness checks
• Conduct regular checks of store shelf tags to ensure continued distribution and assist with reordering of product
• Ensure that all retail objectives and shelf standards are met and maintained in assigned territory
• Keep sections set to customer’s schematic or stocking plan as required or beneficial to manufacturer or clients
• Maintain 100% distribution of all manufacturer‑client products approved by the Kroger family of companies or Planogram (POG) team
• Sell and service all principal accounts represented by Empire to ensure all authorized items are on shelf and priced and tagged properly
• Product Analysis & Reporting
• Maintain and update all territorial records
• Carefully review all sales reports to maintain awareness of progress toward assigned goals
• Maintain competitive awareness and promptly report all information through proper channels
• Report completely and on time using forms supplied and with the frequency requested
• Utilize reporting tools such as PowerBI or Go Spot Check to report on specific goals and targets
• Promotional Display Maintenance
• Set up displays of manufacturer or client brands while working within the guidelines of customer regulations and manufacturer/client display objectives
• Coordinate activities and cooperate with Operations regarding the execution of promotional programs, including reporting and future order requirements
• Execute point‑of‑sale material and instant redeemable coupons to stores as required by the manufacturer or client and approved by the retailer
• Customer Support and Training
• Establish and maintain rapport with all store personnel in assigned territories
• Perform training demonstrations for customer employees regarding proper preparation and/or display of product
• Other Administrative Duties
• Timely communication requirements including email and telephone
• Maintain territory files and company‑owned office equipment
• Attend and participate in all scheduled company meetings
• Exercise expense control within guidelines
• Other duties as required

Requirements

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Current driver’s license and clean motor vehicle report (required)
• 1–2 years of CPG/grocery/retail industry related experience (preferred)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel regularly between work sites
• Additional travel as needed, which may include overnight stays
• Prolonged periods of standing – 80% of the time
• Ability to change positions between sitting, squatting, standing, and kneeling on a regular basis
• Regular lifting and moving up to 25–35 pounds from one location to another, sometimes several feet away from each other
• Occasional lifting and moving up to 40–60 pounds from one location to another, sometimes several feet away from each other
• Regular use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to see objects, information on computer screens, and/or view written information from distances of 20–40 feet

Tools And Equipment

• Regular operation of a personal motor vehicle to and from work sites
• Regular operation of manual pallet jacks and hand trucks on work sites
• MS Excel

Work Environment

• Duties are typically performed in a retail grocery store setting, which could include refrigerated or freezer environments
• Also required to be in outside facilities, including but not limited to, customer warehouses, kitchens, and manufacturer‑client facilities, all of which require more safety precautions than a normal office environment
• Noise levels – typically moderate

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ability to write clear and concise correspondence
• Ability to accurately exchange information
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to operate autonomously, with strong personal drive for results
• Ability to effectively present information 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 deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals

Salary Description

$41,600 to $45,760