Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a renowned national restaurant brand that has been dedicated to cultivating healthier communities through the connection between people and real, fresh food since its inception in 2007. Positioned at the forefront of transforming the fast food landscape, Sweetgreen reimagines quick service dining to emphasize fresh, flavorful, and nutritious options grounded in strong relationships with farmers and local communities. The company prides itself on its commitment to sustainability, quality, and inclusivity, striving to make a positive impact on the environment and society through its innovative and conscious dining approach. Sweetgreen’s mission goes beyond serving meals; they nurture a culture where food, people, and purpose intersect to create meaningful experiences for both team members and customers alike.

The Culinary Lead role, referred to internally as Kitchen Lead at Sweetgreen, is crucial to maintaining the company’s high standards for food quality and operational excellence. This role is not a traditional people management position; rather, it focuses on food craftsmanship, coaching, and consistency in kitchen operations. As the food quality expert on shift, the Culinary Lead ensures that every dish prepared, cooked, and presented meets Sweetgreen’s exacting standards for flavor, presentation, and food safety. Unlike many fast food kitchens, Sweetgreen’s culinary environment is free from grills and fryers, showcasing a healthier and cleaner method of food preparation using smart systems and kitchen tools like knives and ovens.

The Culinary Lead is responsible for overseeing kitchen execution during shifts, setting quality standards and helping teammates improve their skills through real-time feedback. This role involves managing prep timing and inventory levels to ensure smooth kitchen flow and operational efficiency. The Culinary Lead collaborates closely with Shift Leaders and Managers to uphold food safety protocols, cleanliness, and overall operational excellence. This position offers a unique leadership opportunity for individuals who wish to take charge of food quality without the burden of people management tasks such as scheduling or performance reviews. Additionally, the role serves as a stepping stone toward higher leadership positions within Sweetgreen, with top-performing Kitchen Leads often progressing to General Manager roles within two to three years.

The Culinary Lead role is ideal for individuals who have a passion for food quality and enjoy working in dynamic, high-volume kitchen environments, including fast casual, QSR, full-service, or corporate dining settings. Candidates who thrive in this position take pride in consistent, clean execution and are motivated by coaching their peers and embracing new menu launches. The position requires a commitment to physical demands, attention to detail, and adherence to food safety standards. Sweetgreen offers competitive wages, opportunities for career growth, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision options for both part-time and full-time employees, paid vacation, wellness time, parental leave, free meals during shifts, 401(k) plans, and access to a team member merchandise shop.

Joining Sweetgreen means investing in a healthier future for yourself and your community. You become part of a movement to rewrite the future of fast food, supporting sustainable and wholesome eating habits. Sweetgreen values diversity and inclusion, providing equal employment opportunities regardless of background, identity, or abilities. They also participate in the federal E-Verify program to ensure employment eligibility and provide accommodations as required by law. If you are ready to lead in a kitchen where real food and purpose meet, the Culinary Lead position at Sweetgreen awaits you.