Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a renowned national restaurant brand committed to building healthier communities by connecting individuals to real, wholesome food. Since its inception in 2007, Sweetgreen has revolutionized the concept of fast food by emphasizing freshness, flavor, and sustainable relationships with farmers and local communities. With a growing footprint of restaurants and an expanding support center, the company prides itself on fostering an empowered team culture dedicated to food quality, customer satisfaction, and community wellness. Sweetgreen is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, offering equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their background or personal characteristics. The brand actively participates in the federal government's E-Verify program to ensure employment eligibility and remains transparent about its legal rights and applicant privacy policies.

The Culinary Lead (referred to as Kitchen Lead within Sweetgreen) plays a pivotal role in maintaining the brand's high food quality standards. Unlike traditional restaurant kitchens, Sweetgreen operates with modern kitchen technology, featuring no grills or fryers, but instead utilizes smart systems to prepare real, nutritious food. The Culinary Lead is the expert in food quality within the kitchen and is responsible for overseeing food preparation, cooking, and presentation during their shifts. While this role is not people management - meaning the individual will not be responsible for scheduling or conducting performance reviews - it demands leadership through example, coaching teammates, and consistent execution. As the go-to person for kitchen food quality and execution, the Culinary Lead ensures that every item prepared meets Sweetgreen's rigorous standards for flavor, safety, and presentation.

Responsibilities include preparing and cooking hot food using kitchen knives, tools, and ovens, managing prep timing and inventory levels to maintain smooth kitchen operations, providing real-time feedback to help teammates improve their culinary execution, and partnering closely with Shift Leaders and Managers to uphold cleanliness, food safety, and overall operational excellence. This position provides an exciting opportunity for those passionate about food quality who want leadership responsibilities without the full scope of people management. Moreover, high-performing Culinary Leads have a clear path for career advancement toward General Manager roles within 2 to 3 years, making this a strategic stepping stone in the food service industry.

Sweetgreen values team members who take pride in their craft, enjoy training peers, and thrive in high-volume kitchen environments such as fast casual dining, quick-service restaurants, or corporate dining settings. The company offers competitive wages, tips depending on location, and robust benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage options for both part-time and full-time employees. Additional perks include paid vacation, wellness time, parental leave, free meals during every shift, a 401(k) plan, and access to a team member merchandise shop for gear and apparel. This creates a supportive environment that not only fosters professional growth but also prioritizes employee well-being and satisfaction. Joining Sweetgreen means becoming part of a movement to transform fast food for a healthier future while advancing your own career in a dynamic and values-driven company.