Market Leader - Smokies

Market Leader, Lodge Cast Iron

ABOUT LODGE CAST IRON We got our start over 125 years ago when Joseph Lodge founded the Blacklock Foundry in South Pittsburg, TN. His scrappy, hardworking spirit continues to lead us today. As a team, we believe cast iron is for everyone. We're dedicated to manufacturing American-made cookware that we're proud to use in our very own homes and excited to bring to kitchens, backyards, and campfires around the world. Day in and day out, we work together to stay safe, have fun, and be better than we were the day before.

WHAT FIRES US UP? By now, you may have caught on to the fact that we're serious about spreading the joys of cast iron. And while we're always on the lookout for ways to innovate, we believe in the adage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's why we stand by a simple recipe of just iron and oil (no forever chemicals, since forever!). It's also why we're passionate about keeping our campus in our hometown of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, providing great jobs to our community. As we bring our cookware to the next generation of cast iron chefs, we're looking for people to help us stay true to our roots every step of the way. Does that sound like something you can get behind?

A DAY IN THE LIFE This is not just any store manager role- this is Lodge in front of millions of visitors a year. As Market Leader of our Smokies market, you lead our Pigeon Forge store as your home base and hold full accountability for our Sevierville location as well. These are two of the most heavily trafficked doors in our fleet, sitting in the heart of one of the country's great tourism destinations, where most guests meet Lodge in person for the very first time. You are a hands-on leader who brings energy, authenticity, and strategic vision to both stores. You are driven to create memorable, guest-focused experiences and passionate about developing a team that embodies our heritage of craftsmanship and quality while managing the realities of a high-volume, highly seasonal market.

In this role, you'll cultivate a culture where every team member is equipped and empowered to welcome guests like family, share the rich stories behind our products, offer personalized recommendations, and serve as ambassadors for Lodge in the Smokies. You set high expectations for team performance, operational excellence, and the kind of heartfelt connection that reflects our commitment to treating every guest as if we've invited them into our own kitchen.

The Ideal Candidate Has:

• Proven multi-unit or high-volume retail management experience in a tourism, outlet, or destination environment where hospitality and guest connection are paramount.
• Experience leading through significant seasonal peaks flexing staffing, inventory, and service models to meet demand without compromising the guest experience.
• Demonstrated track record of community engagement, event programming, or partnership development that has meaningfully grown visitation and brand affinity.
• A demonstrated track record of developing talent with care and investment, consistently improving team performance while honoring individual strengths.
• Confidence in leading teams across more than one location through change, with steady guidance while raising performance expectations.
• Strong operational and organizational skills with a 'roll up your sleeves' attitude and meticulous attention to detail across a multi-store market.
• A genuine passion for cookware, food, storytelling, or cultural heritage that connects with our love for bringing people together around the kitchen table.

Responsibilities:

• Hold full accountability for the Smokies Market Pigeon Forge (home base) and Sevierville delivering sales, service, and operational standards consistently across both locations.
• Lead daily operations at Pigeon Forge with pride and attention to detail that reflects our commitment to excellence, ensuring the store is always guest-ready and welcoming.
• Spend a regular, predictable cadence of time in Sevierville to coach in the moment, audit standards, and ensure the location reflects the same guest experience and visual merchandising expectations as Pigeon Forge.
• Develop and support the store leader at Sevierville, building bench strength, aligning staffing and scheduling to traffic patterns, and sharing best practices across the market.
• Foster a team culture that embodies our values- being present, attentive, and engaging every guest as if welcoming them into our home kitchen.
• Hire, train, and develop teams that confidently carry forward our tradition of genuine hospitality, asking thoughtful questions and offering personalized recommendations rooted in generations of expertise.
• Coach team members to share our product stories with authenticity, using hands-on demonstrations and storytelling that connects guests to our heritage.
• Analyze performance metrics and sales data across both stores with an owner's mindset, making strategic decisions and creating action plans that uphold our standards while driving growth.
• Ensure proactive inventory stewardship and thoughtful merchandising at both locations, planning ahead for peak season demand and tourist traffic patterns.
• Uphold our commitment to safety, cleanliness, and operational integrity by maintaining compliance with all company standards and protocols in both stores.
• Partner with field leadership as a trusted business owner representative, implementing initiatives and sharing valuable market insights that strengthen our retail business.

Team Development & Culture:

• Provide real-time coaching and recognition that builds accountability while celebrating successes, nurturing each team member's growth across the market.
• Champion our values of inclusion, respect, and development through authentic leadership that honors our heritage while embracing the future.
• Build a seasonal hiring and onboarding approach that gets new team members guest-ready quickly without diluting our standards.
• Guide the teams in adapting their approach to honor each guest's journey whether they're discovering cast iron for the first time or are seasoned collectors adding to their Lodge family.

Destination & Tourism Experience:

• Deliver a store experience worthy of a destination market, where a first impression of Lodge is often made in a single visit.
• Build and evolve in-store programming (cooking demonstrations, cast iron care and seasoning workshops, and seasonal moments) that turns foot traffic into lasting brand affinity.
• Manage the guest journey through peak periods so that lines, staffing, and store flow never come at the cost of hospitality.
• Partner with regional tourism boards, attractions, lodging partners, and area businesses to position Lodge as a must-visit stop in the Smokies.
• Monitor guest feedback and traffic data to continuously improve the experience and identify new programming opportunities.

Community Outreach & Brand Presence:

• Champion Lodge's role in the Pigeon Forge and Sevierville communities by building and sustaining meaningful relationships with local organizations, businesses, schools, and other groups.
• Develop and execute a community outreach calendar that includes events, sponsorships, partnerships, and participatory moments that bring people together around the table.
• Identify and cultivate strategic relationships with regional tourism authorities, culinary influencers, travel media, and hospitality partners.
• Serve as a brand ambassador at community events, representing Lodge with warmth, professionalism, and a genuine connection to our heritage.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to amplify community events and market programming across channels.

Basic Requirements (Degree, Experience, Specific Experience Preferred):

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to climb, bend, push, kneel, and pull as needed
• Weekend, evening, and peak-season availability, as needed to support store operations
• Ability to travel regularly between the Pigeon Forge and Sevierville locations

Summary of Necessary Knowledge, Experience, and Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret operational documents with thoroughness that ensures our standards for safety, procedures, and quality are consistently maintained.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and modern point-of-sale systems that support efficient operations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cash handling, inventory management, and merchandising practices executed with integrity and accountability.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills reflecting a commitment to clear, respectful, and meaningful connections with team members and guests.
• Strong interpersonal abilities that foster a welcoming and inclusive environment in every interaction.
• Knowledge of HR practices including recruiting, hiring, development, and performance management, all conducted with fairness and legal compliance.
• Understanding of security, facility management, and safety protocols that safeguard our team, guests, and business.