C

CSC Generation

Acquires and revitalizes retail brands

Resident Chef

Full-Time
No salary listed
Mid, Senior
Bachelor's
McLean, VA, USA
In Person
Food Service & HospitalityFood & Beverage Operations Management

About the job

Requirements
  • The candidate must be at least 21 years of age at the time of employment.
  • The candidate must have 1-2 years of experience as a culinary instructor.
  • The candidate must have 3-4 years of progressively responsible kitchen management experience.
  • The candidate must hold a valid Food Manager Certification.
  • The candidate must have a proven track record of achieving sales, motivating high-performing sales teams, and meeting operational goals.
  • The candidate must have strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire, develop, and retain a high-performing team.
  • The candidate must have excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
  • The candidate must have passion for community engagement and providing exceptional customer experiences.
  • The candidate must be able to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers.
  • The candidate must be able to remain standing for up to 5 hours at a time.
  • The candidate must be able to move about the store while coaching and directing associates or class participants and selling to customers.
  • The candidate must be able to accurately perceive and differentiate variations in the intensity or quality of flavors and odors and identify specific tastes or scents using the tongue or nose.
  • The candidate must be able to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch to retrieve and replenish merchandise from the stockroom or sales floor.
  • The candidate must be able to use their hands to seize, hold, grasp, turn, chop, whisk, slice, stir, juice, and demonstrate other techniques.
  • The candidate must be able to lift or move merchandise weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • The candidate must be able to ascend and descend ladders to retrieve or move merchandise.
  • The candidate must be able to operate a computer, point-of-sale system, keyboard, merchandise scanners, and mouse.
  • The candidate must have regular and predictable attendance and flexibility to work a schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • The candidate must be able to work in a variable kitchen environment, including open flames, hot surfaces, temperature variations, and various physical and airborne food allergens.
Responsibilities
  • Recruit, mentor, and retain a high-performing team to meet the business needs of culinary and retail operations.
  • Lead, coach, and inspire associates to exceed performance expectations and uphold a positive team culture.
  • Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide feedback, and create development plans to support individual and team growth.
  • Represent the brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty.
  • Lead cooking classes and ensure an outstanding experience in every session by following provided recipes and game plans while holding employees accountable for quality and execution.
  • Work with store leadership to increase foot traffic and store engagement through cooking classes and private events.
  • Maintain expertise by staying current on products, participating in available training, and independently seeking additional resources.
  • Lead a customer-focused culture in both the kitchen and retail sales floor.
  • Oversee and take responsibility for customer feedback related to the culinary program to maintain satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Drive sales growth by developing and implementing strategies to enhance the culinary and retail business.
  • Analyze key performance metrics daily and use insights to optimize store performance.
  • Meet or exceed culinary and retail goals through classes and customer experiences that drive engagement and sales.
  • Manage daily store operations while ensuring compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations.
  • Maintain accurate inventory levels, minimize shrink, and control supply and culinary expenses.
  • Handle liquor, wine, and beer in compliance with state and location alcohol regulations and company policies, including enforcing age restrictions, when applicable.
  • Ensure store safety and cleanliness and address maintenance needs promptly.
  • Maintain the accuracy and integrity of employee records, including time and attendance data, food safety certifications, and personal information.
  • Adhere to applicable wage and hour laws and accurately record time worked according to company policy.
  • Communicate, maintain, and consistently enforce company policies and standard operating procedures.
  • Adjust class assignments based on demand and teach 6-8 classes per week.
Desired Qualifications
  • A culinary degree is strongly preferred; equivalent experience will be considered only in exceptional cases.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and retail systems is preferred.

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

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

13%

1 year growth

13%

2 year growth

12%
The Salt Lake Tribune
Sep 10th, 2024
Backcountry.com, once the outdoor industry's 'cool brand,' sells to investment firm

Backcountry.com, the Utah outdoor brand known for its goat logo and semi-annual sales at its West Valley City warehouse, has sold to investment firm CSG Generation, according to a report from Pulse Ratings, Inc.

PR Newswire
Sep 10th, 2024
CSC Generation Enterprise Acquires Backcountry, Expanding Its Portfolio of Consumer-Centric Brands

CSC Generation Enterprise acquires Backcountry, expanding its portfolio of consumer-centric brands.

SGB Media
Sep 10th, 2024
EXEC: Backcountry Sold as TSG Closes Deal with CSC Generation Enterprise

CSC acquired the company from TSG Consumer Partners, which acquired the business in July 2015.

BGM
Dec 6th, 2023
Is your business underestimating the value of older workers?

In October, global employment nonprofit Generation, in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), released a report entitled The Midcareer Opportunity: Meeting the Challenges of an Ageing Workforce.

The Business Journals
Jan 25th, 2023
BrandX, owner of Boston Store name, brings back BonTon brand online

CSC Generation had purchased the intellectual property through The Bon-Ton Stores Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings.