Kimberly Young, CPC
Executive Recruiter
Division: Restaurant
Location: North Carolina
Kimberly “Kimber” Young
Executive Recruiter, Gecko Hospitality
Restaurant Division | Western North Carolina
Phone: 704-780-1045 | Email: kimber@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-young-741a94219/
Credentials: CPC, Certified Sommelier
About Kimber
Kimber Young is a restaurant recruiter with Gecko Hospitality serving the Western North Carolina market. Kimber’s focus: Restaurant and wine-focused recruiting (North Carolina); Certified Sommelier; executive and management placement. Accomplished in the restaurant industry as both an independent owner and with well-known corporate brands. Having worked as both an independent owner and with established corporate restaurant brands, Kimber understands this industry from the operational side, not solely from a recruiting perspective, and that experience is a major part of how she evaluates candidates and works with clients today.
Background & Experience
Accomplished in the restaurant industry as both an independent owner and with well-known corporate brands; a Certified Sommelier with a passion for food, wine, and travel; has delivered professional talks on the industry and focuses on developing talent in local markets.
Areas of Focus
Positions: Executive; Management positions
Markets served: Western North Carolina.
How Kimber Evaluates Talent
I look beyond the title on a resume and dig into what a candidate has actually been responsible for and accomplished. I want to understand the size and complexity of the operation they have led, sales volume, P&L responsibility, team size, turnover and retention, leadership development, and whether they have successfully improved or turned around an operation. I also pay close attention to career progression, reasons for making moves, leadership style, and how they perform when an operation is under pressure. Just as important is concept and culture fit: someone can be a very strong operator and still not be the right person for a particular company, team, or stage of growth.
Kimber’s Market Perspective
The restaurant leadership market continues to be competitive, particularly for proven operators who can lead people, manage the financial side of the business, and build strong teams at the same time. Across North Carolina and the broader markets I serve, the strongest candidates tend to have options, so employers need to be clear about their opportunity and prepared to move when they find the right person. Compensation matters, but I’m seeing candidates evaluate the entire opportunity: company culture, quality of leadership, schedule and expectations, growth potential, benefits, and whether the company can offer them a meaningful next step. My role is to understand both sides well enough to recognize where there is a genuine long-term match rather than simply filling an opening.
Advice
For employers: Know what success in the role truly looks like, beyond the job description, and be prepared to communicate why a strong candidate should choose your company.
For candidates: Be ready to demonstrate your results with specifics: what you led, what you improved, how you developed your people, and the measurable impact you had on the business.
In Kimber’s Words
“I’m not interested in simply matching a resume to a job description. I want to understand the person, the operation, and what both sides need for the relationship to be successful long term.”
Testimonials
“You guys were the best. Kimberly is a wizard and I would recommend no one else. I am very grateful for her and I’ll be sending everyone I know to her. Thanks again.”
Jackson P. (Successfully placed candidate, Google review, November 19, 2025)
“Kimber Young was amazing helping me out in my job search! Every interview she set up, she sent me info sheets to have me prepared, and helped me find a job within 3 weeks!”
Greg M. (Successfully placed candidate, Google review, May 11, 2026)
“Kimber was great to work with. She was easy to talk to, quick to respond, and kept me updated throughout the process. I really appreciated how helpful and supportive she was.”
Ashley M. (Successfully placed candidate, Google review, July 15, 2026)
Kimberly Young, CPC
Executive Recruiter
Division: Restaurant
Location: North Carolina
Kimberly “Kimber” Young
Executive Recruiter, Gecko Hospitality
Restaurant Division | Western North Carolina
Phone: 704-780-1045 | Email: kimber@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-young-741a94219/
Credentials: CPC, Certified Sommelier
About Kimber
Kimber Young is a restaurant recruiter with Gecko Hospitality serving the Western North Carolina market. Kimber’s focus: Restaurant and wine-focused recruiting (North Carolina); Certified Sommelier; executive and management placement. Accomplished in the restaurant industry as both an independent owner and with well-known corporate brands. Having worked as both an independent owner and with established corporate restaurant brands, Kimber understands this industry from the operational side, not solely from a recruiting perspective, and that experience is a major part of how she evaluates candidates and works with clients today.
Background & Experience
Accomplished in the restaurant industry as both an independent owner and with well-known corporate brands; a Certified Sommelier with a passion for food, wine, and travel; has delivered professional talks on the industry and focuses on developing talent in local markets.
Areas of Focus
Positions: Executive; Management positions
Markets served: Western North Carolina.
How Kimber Evaluates Talent
I look beyond the title on a resume and dig into what a candidate has actually been responsible for and accomplished. I want to understand the size and complexity of the operation they have led, sales volume, P&L responsibility, team size, turnover and retention, leadership development, and whether they have successfully improved or turned around an operation. I also pay close attention to career progression, reasons for making moves, leadership style, and how they perform when an operation is under pressure. Just as important is concept and culture fit: someone can be a very strong operator and still not be the right person for a particular company, team, or stage of growth.
Kimber’s Market Perspective
The restaurant leadership market continues to be competitive, particularly for proven operators who can lead people, manage the financial side of the business, and build strong teams at the same time. Across North Carolina and the broader markets I serve, the strongest candidates tend to have options, so employers need to be clear about their opportunity and prepared to move when they find the right person. Compensation matters, but I’m seeing candidates evaluate the entire opportunity: company culture, quality of leadership, schedule and expectations, growth potential, benefits, and whether the company can offer them a meaningful next step. My role is to understand both sides well enough to recognize where there is a genuine long-term match rather than simply filling an opening.
Advice
For employers: Know what success in the role truly looks like, beyond the job description, and be prepared to communicate why a strong candidate should choose your company.
For candidates: Be ready to demonstrate your results with specifics: what you led, what you improved, how you developed your people, and the measurable impact you had on the business.
In Kimber’s Words
“I’m not interested in simply matching a resume to a job description. I want to understand the person, the operation, and what both sides need for the relationship to be successful long term.”
Testimonials
“You guys were the best. Kimberly is a wizard and I would recommend no one else. I am very grateful for her and I’ll be sending everyone I know to her. Thanks again.”
Jackson P. (Successfully placed candidate, Google review, November 19, 2025)
“Kimber Young was amazing helping me out in my job search! Every interview she set up, she sent me info sheets to have me prepared, and helped me find a job within 3 weeks!”
Greg M. (Successfully placed candidate, Google review, May 11, 2026)
“Kimber was great to work with. She was easy to talk to, quick to respond, and kept me updated throughout the process. I really appreciated how helpful and supportive she was.”
Ashley M. (Successfully placed candidate, Google review, July 15, 2026)