Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a prominent national restaurant brand renowned for its commitment to building healthier communities by connecting individuals to real, fresh food. Since its establishment in 2007, Sweetgreen has revolutionized fast food by offering meals that are fresh, flavorful, and rooted in strong relationships with farmers and local communities. The company continues to grow with a steadfast dedication to developing its employees across both its restaurant locations and support centers, encouraging everyone to contribute to its movement towards better food experiences. Sweetgreen emphasizes inclusivity and equal opportunities, ensuring a work environment free from discrimination across various dimensions such as gender, age, race, disability, and more. This dedication extends to compliance with federal programs like E-Verify and adherence to privacy and accommodation policies. The company offers a dynamic work atmosphere where food, people, and purpose intersect, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about healthful, sustainable food choices.

The Culinary Lead role at Sweetgreen, also known as Kitchen Lead, is a pivotal position within the kitchen, emphasizing food quality and kitchen execution. This role is designed for individuals who possess a passion for culinary craft without the responsibilities typically associated with management, such as writing schedules or conducting performance reviews. The Culinary Lead takes ownership of how food is prepped, cooked, and presented during each shift, ensuring consistency in flavor, food safety, and overall quality. Unlike conventional restaurant kitchens, Sweetgreen kitchens forgo grills and fryers, instead focusing on fresh and smart food preparation systems. The position requires excellent kitchen skills, including handling knives, ovens, and other kitchen tools, while adhering strictly to safety and cleanliness standards. Culinary Leads provide on-the-spot coaching and constructive feedback to teammates to elevate food execution and maintain smooth kitchen operations by managing prep timing and inventory levels.

This position offers a significant opportunity for career advancement, with top performers having a clear pathway to becoming a General Manager within 2-3 years. The role demands a high level of attention to detail, physical stamina, and food safety knowledge (such as Food Handler or ServSafe certifications). It requires availability for a minimum of 30 hours per week and the ability to work comfortably on one’s feet in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Candidates should be eager to take on leadership responsibilities focused on food quality rather than people management, enjoy peer training, and thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven setting. Sweetgreen offers competitive wages, various healthcare options for part-time and full-time employees, paid time off including vacation and parental leave, a free meal for every shift, and even a team merchandise shop. This role is ideal for culinary professionals ready to contribute to redefining fast food and growing their careers in a vibrant, innovative company.