Retail Specialist - Bakery

Empire Marketing Strategies, Inc. • Appleton, WI

7d • $43,000 - $53,000

About The Position

Empire Marketing Strategies supports suppliers across Meat/Seafood, Deli/Bakery, Produce, and Grocery in Kroger stores. The Retail Specialist calls on stores throughout an assigned territory at the established frequency and sells and delivers best-in-class in-store merchandising. Work includes building displays, packing out and replenishing products, and maintaining the salability of authorized items. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with overnight work required for bakery resets.

The position maintains product distribution, shelf standards, promotional displays, territory records, and reporting. It also involves coordinating promotional programs, supporting and training store personnel, communicating with company and store contacts, and completing administrative duties. Work is typically performed in grocery retail settings, including refrigerated or freezer areas, and may also take place in warehouses, kitchens, or manufacturer-client facilities. Regular travel between work sites and occasional overnight travel are required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current driver's license and a clean Motor Vehicle Report.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel regularly between work sites, with additional travel as needed, including possible 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.
• Regular ability to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and to reach with hands and arms.
• Close vision and ability to view computer screens and written information from distances of 20–40 feet.
• Ability to write clear and concise correspondence and accurately exchange information.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work autonomously with a strong personal drive for results.
• 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 in situations with limited standardization and interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule-based instructions.
• Ability to perform arithmetic using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Regular operation of a personal motor vehicle and use of manual pallet jacks and hand trucks at work sites.
• Working knowledge or use of MS Excel.

Nice To Haves

• 1–2 years of experience related to the CPG, grocery, or retail industry.

Responsibilities

• Rotate perishable merchandise and merchandise requiring freshness checks according to manufacturer requirements.
• Check store shelf tags, support product reordering, and maintain retail objectives and shelf standards in the assigned territory.
• Keep sections aligned with customer schematics or stocking plans and maintain distribution of manufacturer-client products approved by Kroger or its Planogram team.
• Sell and service principal accounts to ensure authorized items are on shelves and correctly priced and tagged.
• Maintain territorial records, review sales reports, track progress toward goals, and report competitive information through appropriate channels.
• Submit complete and timely reports using required forms and reporting tools such as PowerBI or Go Spot Check.
• Set up manufacturer or client displays according to retailer 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 as required and retailer-approved.
• Build rapport with store personnel and provide training demonstrations on proper product preparation or display.
• Communicate promptly by email and telephone, maintain territory files and company-owned office equipment, attend scheduled meetings, and manage expenses within guidelines.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Employer covers 80% of benefits.
• Medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, and disability coverage for full-time associates.
• Retirement program.
• Mental health support.
• Paid time off.
• Nine paid holidays annually.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED