Merchandising Support Specialist in Cincinnati, Ohio at Empire Marketing Strategies, Inc.

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. We value dedication, talent, and a passion for excellence.

Why Join Us?

Flexible, M-F Work Schedule, 9 Holidays off

Earn a competitive salary plus 80% employer-covered benefits

Full-Time Associates: Eligible for medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability coverage, a retirement program, mental health support, paid time off, and 9 paid holidays annually.

Part-Time Associates: Eligible for our retirement program and access to mental health support resources

A dynamic work environment where you’ll make a real impact.

Job Summary:

The Merchandising Support Specialist role provides operational and field support for deli and bakery programs, partnering with internal teams and vendors to ensure accurate forecasting, strong execution, and successful in-store implementation. The position supports merchandising initiatives through training, communication, and hands-on field execution across divisions.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• Operational Administrative Support
• Merchandising Training & Support
• Field Execution

Core Functions:

Operational Administrative Support

• Partner with Corporate Sales Managers, Division teams, and vendors to improve forecasting, demand planning, inventory flow, and service levels.
• Use data to identify bottlenecks, improve accuracy, and mitigate operational disruptions.
• Support division teams and the field, which may include onsite visits to stores.
• Review compliance with program requirements and work with stakeholders to address performance gaps.
• Serve as a liaison for suppliers, divisions, Corporate Sales Managers, and external partners.

Merchandising Training & Support

• Train Kroger and Empire associates on assigned deli and bakery initiatives, using standard job aids and processes.
• Communicate expectations, timelines, operational requirements, and standards for all programs.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships across the company and with vendor partners to support program success.
• Act as a resource for divisions during implementations or issue resolution, including occasional onsite support.
• Conduct regular store and division visits to assess execution, troubleshoot issues, and build relationships.
• Provide hands-on support during product launches, resets, and seasonal initiatives.

Field Execution

• Auditing merchandising missions for completeness and accuracy
• Participate in store walks with Kroger leadership
• Merchandising display support for Kroger and customers

Education and Experience:

• College degree or equivalent experience required.
• Current Driver’s License and clean Motor Vehicle Report required.
• 5+ years of CPG/grocery/retail/food service industry related experience preferred.
• Project Management background or certification 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 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.
• Regular operation of sharp cutting objects, as needed
• MS Excel

Work Environment:

• Duties are typically performed in an office and 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.
• Infuse passion, creativity and enthusiasm with a positive winning attitude and a big friendly smile!
• Role model and demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety of others.
• Ability to be able 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.