Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a national restaurant brand dedicated to building healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen has revolutionized the fast food industry by offering fresh, flavorful meals that emphasize relationships with farmers and sustainable sourcing. As a fast-casual restaurant that specializes in salads and warm grain bowls, Sweetgreen focuses on delivering high-quality food made with real ingredients and innovative kitchen techniques. The company is deeply committed to creating a positive impact not just through the food it serves but also by fostering inclusive work environments and offering career growth opportunities for its employees. Sweetgreen values diversity and provides equal opportunity employment without discrimination based on any protected class, while participating in federal employment eligibility programs like E-Verify.

The Culinary Lead position, known internally as the Kitchen Lead, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the kitchen maintains the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation. This role is uniquely designed for those who excel in food craftsmanship and kitchen execution without undertaking the traditional managerial responsibilities such as scheduling or performance reviews. Instead, as a Culinary Lead, you become the subject matter expert on food preparation protocols during each shift, leading by example and coaching other team members to achieve consistency and excellence in every dish served. The kitchen operates without grills or fryers, instead relying on smart systems and innovative cooking methods that emphasize healthy food preparation.

As part of Sweetgreen's movement to redefine fast food, Culinary Leads are empowered to take ownership of how food is prepared and delivered. Responsibilities include prepping and cooking hot food items to Sweetgreen’s exact standards, monitoring prep timing and inventory levels to maintain smooth operations, and providing real-time feedback to teammates to enhance food quality. A Culinary Lead acts as the primary advocate for food quality during shifts by identifying and addressing any issues swiftly. Collaboration is key in this role, working closely with Shift Leaders and Managers to uphold food safety protocols and operational cleanliness.

This position is an excellent fit for individuals passionate about kitchen work who seek leadership roles without full people management duties. Ideal candidates are those who take great pride in consistency and presentation, enjoy training others, and have prior experience in fast-paced kitchen environments such as fast casual, quick service restaurants (QSR), or corporate dining. Top-performing Culinary Leads have a clear career progression path, with opportunities to advance to General Manager roles within 2 to 3 years.

Sweetgreen offers competitive wages, tips depending on location and role, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance options available to part-time and full-time team members. Additional perks include paid vacation, wellness time, parental leave, free meals during shifts, a 401(k) plan for eligible employees, and exclusive access to a Team Member Merch Shop where staff can earn and purchase custom Sweetgreen gear. This role requires a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week and candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and at least 18 years old.

Joining Sweetgreen means becoming part of a forward-thinking company focused on healthier eating, community building, and sustainable business practices. The Culinary Lead role offers meaningful work that combines craft, leadership, and growth within a supportive and innovative environment.