Retail Gearhead / Sales Associate
About the job
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills are required.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills are required.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment is required.
- Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and evenings, especially during the November through February seasonal period, is required.
- Basic computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office and point-of-sale systems are required.
- Passion for outdoor activities and knowledge of outdoor gear and apparel are required.
- Ability to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers is required.
- Ability to remain standing for up to 5 hours at a time is required.
- Ability to move about the store while coaching and directing associates, selling to customers, and retrieving merchandise from the stockroom or sales floor is required.
- Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch to retrieve and replenish merchandise from the stockroom or sales floor is required.
- Ability to lift and/or move merchandise weighing up to 50 pounds is required.
- Ability to ascend and descend ladders to retrieve and/or move merchandise is required.
- Ability to operate a computer, point-of-sale system, keyboards, merchandise scanners, and a mouse is required.
- A flexible schedule, including availability for nights, weekends, and holidays, is required.
- Regular and predictable attendance is required.
- Employment is contingent on a background check, including verification of prior employment dates.
- Greet and assist customers with their purchases.
- Provide product information, advice, and recommendations to customers.
- Process sales transactions accurately and efficiently.
- Maintain a clean and organized store environment.
- Manage inventory levels and restock merchandise.
- Participate in company-wide promotions and marketing campaigns.
- Collaborate with the marketing and buying teams to ensure product offerings align with customer needs.
- Work to improve customer satisfaction and exceed sales targets.
- Develop and maintain knowledge of products, industry trends, and competitors.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager.
- Some college coursework is preferred.
- Previous retail sales experience is preferred.
- Specialized knowledge in skiing, snowboarding, biking, climbing, fly fishing, or another outdoor sport is preferred.
- Outdoor industry and retail experience is nice to have.
About the company
CSC Generation acquires underperforming retail brands and grows them into profitable ventures by integrating them into its shared operating platform. It operates across retail, e-commerce, and wholesale, leveraging technology, skilled staff, efficient processes, and scalable operations to optimize product sourcing, marketing, fulfillment, and customer experience. Its portfolio includes brands like DirectBuy, One Kings Lane, Sur La Table, Touch of Modern, and Cherry Man Industries, collectively offering over 325,000 products and attracting about 10 million monthly page views. The company differentiates itself by targeting “unsexy” opportunities others overlook and by applying its centralized platform to turn around and scale these brands into sustainable revenue generators. Its goal is steady growth and profitability by transforming underperforming brands into thriving parts of its portfolio, serving a wide range of consumers and business clients.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series E
Total Funding
$107.6M
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
2016
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- CSC says 2026 revenue exceeded $1 billion across 13 brands.
- It added Backcountry in September 2024, expanding into outdoor recreation.
- Backcountry launched a 2026 brand incubator, showing acquisition-led growth momentum.
What critics are saying
- Indeed reviews in 2026 cite low pay, burnout, and constant layoffs.
- Headcount fell to 2,836 in March 2026, signaling continued operating pressure.
- Backcountry CEO Melanie Cox left in January 2025, exposing integration and retention risk.
What makes CSC Generation unique
- CSC Generation uses Genesis, a shared AI-enabled operating platform across 13 brands.
- It buys distressed retailers like Backcountry, Sur La Table, and One Kings Lane.
- It monetizes turnaround expertise, not standalone software, across home and outdoor verticals.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- 401(k) Company Match
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
- Life Insurance
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation
- Pet Insurance
- Employee Discounts