Retail Specialist - Bakery

Empire Marketing Strategies, Inc. • Milwaukee, WI

7d • $43,000 - $53,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Empire Marketing Strategies supports suppliers in Meat/Seafood, Deli/Bakery, Produce, and Grocery departments at Kroger stores. The Retail Specialist calls on all stores in an assigned territory at the established frequency and sells and delivers in-store merchandising, including building displays, packing out product, replenishing permanent secondary displays, and maintaining the salability of authorized items.

The role maintains product shelves and displays, reviews sales and competitive information, reports on territory performance, supports promotional programs, and builds relationships with store personnel. It also includes demonstrating proper product preparation or display to customer employees and completing administrative duties such as timely communications, maintaining territory files and company-owned office equipment, attending company meetings, and controlling expenses.

Work is typically performed in retail grocery stores, including refrigerated or freezer areas, and may also take place in customer warehouses, kitchens, and manufacturer-client facilities. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with overnight work required for bakery resets. Regular travel between work sites and additional travel, including overnight stays, may be 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 overnight stays.
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods, approximately 80% of the time.
• Ability to 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 use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Close vision and ability to see objects, computer-screen information, or written information from 20–40 feet.
• Ability to write clear, 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 involving a variety of concrete variables and limited standardization.
• Ability to 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 regular operation of manual pallet jacks and hand trucks at work sites.
• Ability to work in grocery retail environments, including refrigerated or freezer areas, and in outside facilities with additional safety precautions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Rotate perishable products and perform freshness checks as required by manufacturers.
• Check store shelf tags, support product reordering, and maintain retail objectives and shelf standards throughout the assigned territory.
• Keep sections aligned with customer schematics or stocking plans and maintain distribution of approved manufacturer-client products.
• Sell and service assigned principal accounts, ensuring authorized products are on shelves and correctly priced and tagged.
• Maintain and update territorial records; review sales reports and monitor progress toward goals.
• Monitor competitive activity and report relevant information through appropriate channels.
• Submit complete and timely reports using supplied forms and requested reporting frequencies, including use of PowerBI or Go Spot Check.
• Set up manufacturer or client displays in accordance with retailer regulations and display objectives.
• Coordinate with Operations on promotional programs, including execution reporting and future order requirements.
• Deliver point-of-sale materials and Instant Redeemable Coupons to stores as required and approved.
• Build and maintain rapport with store personnel in the assigned territory.
• Demonstrate proper product preparation or display to customer employees.
• Communicate promptly by email and telephone, maintain territory files and company-owned office equipment, and attend scheduled company meetings.
• Control expenses within established guidelines and perform other duties as required.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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