CSSI would be highly successful if it wasn't for the poor choices and extreme behaviors of a leading member of the senior management team.
Rash and uneducated decisions are constantly made, tempers flair at a moments notice and staff members are often treated unfairly, unless of course they fit a particular type. Rumors are spread, employees are pit against each other and a toxic and unprofessional work environment has slowly developed. Instead of securing new business or strategically thinking for the future, office gossip and who is next to be fired has taken precedence.
The other members of the leadership team at CSSI are equally as clueless or stressed, it's difficult to tell at times. No training is made available to any employee and managers often throw their employees under the bus to cover up their clear lack of knowledge or ability to handle the positions they are in.
HR representation is nonexistent. If you think you have someone to confide in or talk to, think again as even HR cannot control the unprofessional antics, offensive comments or harassing behaviors of the senior member mentioned above.
As far as interdepartmental treatment is concerned, being apart of the culinary team has its clear advantages as the department will get recognition before the account management, creative or support teams (if the other teams ever get recognized). It shows in the bonus/incentive structure, the promotion rate and really in all aspects within CSSI. If you want to get paid well and receive a bonus, join the chef team. If you want below industry starting wages, subpar yearly raises (if given) and little to no recognition for your work, join any of the other departments.
The client facing upstairs space of the CSSI office is quite nice. It's open, inviting and very relaxed. However, the employees aren't as lucky. The staff works in a basement that often has foul odors and particles that fall from the ceiling onto desks and employees as they work.
Although CSSI is a company that is built on a solid idea, has a young group of hard workers and a business model that really could succeed, employees are unfortunately not given career paths that are clearly defined or any sense of expectations or a timetable for advancement.
Overall, CSSI is by far not the worst company you could work for as you can gain some relevant Foodservice experience in a short amount of time. However, don't expect the company or the Leadership team to be winning awards for employee satisfaction or strategic vision anytime soon.