Culinary Lead; Sur La Table

With over 57 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, Sur La Table offers an unsurpassed selection of exclusive and premium‑quality goods for the kitchen and table – and the culinary expertise and inspiration to go along with it. Whether the job entails interacting with our customers, driving digital growth, or providing vital behind‑the‑scenes support, we’re all here for the same reason – to roll up our sleeves and create happiness through cooking and sharing good food.

As a Culinary Lead at Sur La Table, you play a key role in the success of the store by inspiring customers throughout every stage of their culinary experience by combining culinary expertise, business acumen, and teaching skills. This role supports the culinary program, drives sales, delivers a #bestincenter customer experience, a company‑wide standard for excellence in service, and helps build and manage a high‑performing culinary team.

• Supports recruitment, training, and ongoing development of a high‑performing team to meet culinary business needs.
• Leads, coaches, and inspires associates to exceed performance expectations and uphold a positive team culture.
• Provides in‑the‑moment coaching and feedback to elevate performance and team engagement. Communicates performance issues directly to the General Manager/Store Manager.

• Represents Sur La Table’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty.
• Maintains expertise by staying current on products, actively engaging in training, and independently seeking out additional resources.
• Ensures an outstanding cooking class experience in every session by following provided recipes and game plans while holding employees accountable for quality and execution.
• Works with store leadership to increase foot traffic and store engagement through cooking classes and private events.
• Ensures exceptional customer experience by leading a customer‑focused, Guest Obsessed culture in both the kitchen and retail sales floor.

• Assists with driving sales growth by implementing strategies to enhance the culinary and retail business.
• Analyzes key performance metrics daily and leverages insights to optimize store performance.
• Consistently meets or exceeds culinary program goals by delivering exceptional classes that drive customer engagement and sales. Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second‑class sign‑ups, retail culinary product sales, and guest feedback through Google reviews.

• Ensures compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations.
• Properly handles all tools, ingredients, and kitchen equipment to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
• Maintains accurate inventory levels, minimizes shrink, and controls supply and culinary expenses.
• May handle liquor, wine, and beer in compliance with state and location alcohol regulations, company policies, including enforcing age restrictions.
• Ensures store safety and cleanliness, addressing any maintenance needs promptly.
• Adheres to applicable wage and hour laws and accurately records time worked according to SLT Policy.
• Models and ensures all Sur La Table policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are communicated effectively to associates, maintained and consistently followed.

• Ability to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers.
• Ability to remain standing for up to 4 hours at a time.
• Ability to move about the store coaching and directing associates and/or class participants while selling to customers.
• Capability to accurately perceive and differentiate variations in intensity or quality of flavors or odors, or to identify specific tastes or scents using the tongue or nose.
• Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch to retrieve and replenish merchandise from stockroom or sales floor.
• Ability to use hands to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise chop, whisk, slice, stir, juice, and/or demonstrate other…