Culinary Lead
About the job
- The candidate must be at least 21 years old at the time of employment.
- The candidate must have 1-2 years of progressively responsible kitchen management experience.
- The candidate must hold a valid Food Manager Certification.
- 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 4 hours at a time.
- The candidate must be able to move throughout the store while coaching and directing associates or class participants and selling to customers.
- The candidate must be able to 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.
- 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 work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- The candidate must maintain regular and predictable attendance and adjust class assignments based on demand, teaching 3-4 classes per week.
- The candidate must be able to work in a variable kitchen environment involving open flames, hot surfaces, temperature variations, and physical or airborne food allergens.
- The Culinary Lead supports recruitment, training, and ongoing development of a high-performing team to meet culinary business needs.
- The Culinary Lead leads, coaches, and inspires associates to exceed performance expectations and uphold a positive team culture.
- The Culinary Lead provides in-the-moment coaching and feedback and communicates performance issues to the General Manager or Store Manager.
- The Culinary Lead represents the brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that encourage repeat visits and customer loyalty.
- The Culinary Lead maintains product expertise through training and independent research.
- The Culinary Lead ensures an outstanding cooking class experience by following provided recipes and game plans and holding employees accountable for quality and execution.
- The Culinary Lead works with store leadership to increase foot traffic and store engagement through cooking classes and private events.
- The Culinary Lead leads a customer-focused culture in the kitchen and retail sales floor.
- The Culinary Lead assists with sales growth by implementing strategies that enhance the culinary and retail business.
- The Culinary Lead analyzes daily key performance metrics and uses insights to optimize store performance.
- The Culinary Lead delivers classes that drive customer engagement and sales and meets culinary program goals measured by second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales, and guest feedback through Google reviews.
- The Culinary Lead ensures compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations.
- The Culinary Lead handles tools, ingredients, and kitchen equipment properly to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
- The Culinary Lead maintains accurate inventory, minimizes shrink, and controls supply and culinary expenses.
- The Culinary Lead may handle liquor, wine, and beer in compliance with state and location alcohol regulations and company policies, including age restrictions.
- The Culinary Lead ensures store safety and cleanliness and promptly addresses maintenance needs.
- The Culinary Lead adheres to wage and hour laws and accurately records time worked according to company policy.
- The Culinary Lead communicates, maintains, and ensures consistent adherence to company policies and standard operating procedures among associates.
- A degree in culinary arts is preferred, although extensive culinary experience and demonstrated technical proficiency may substitute for formal education.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and retail systems is preferred.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities are desired.
- Passion for community engagement and exceptional customer experiences is desired.
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
6 month growth
13%1 year growth
13%2 year growth
12%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.
CSC Generation Enterprise acquires Backcountry, expanding its portfolio of consumer-centric brands.
CSC acquired the company from TSG Consumer Partners, which acquired the business in July 2015.
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.
CSC Generation had purchased the intellectual property through The Bon-Ton Stores Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings.