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 focusing on fresh, flavorful meals made from sustainable ingredients sourced directly from farmers. The brand is committed to fostering relationships with local communities and prioritizing health, wellness, and environmental stewardship. With a strong emphasis on innovation and quality, Sweetgreen aims to create a meaningful dining experience that promotes healthier lifestyles and supports a fair food system. The company prides itself on inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunity employment, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered. Sweetgreen also invests in the growth and development of its employees, providing pathways for career advancement within the company.

As a Culinary Lead, also called Kitchen Lead at Sweetgreen, you will play a crucial role as the food quality expert within the kitchen. This role is designed for individuals who are passionate about culinary excellence, consistency, and maintaining high standards in fast casual food preparation. The Culinary Lead owns the process of how food is prepped, cooked, and presented in every shift, ensuring each dish meets the brand's expectations for flavor, safety, and presentation. Unlike traditional kitchen leadership roles, this position does not involve people management duties such as scheduling or performance reviews. Instead, the focus is on leading by example through culinary craft, coaching team members on food quality, and ensuring consistency throughout service.

You will work with smart kitchen systems and equipment without the use of grills or fryers, supporting a clean, efficient, and healthy kitchen environment. This position requires hands-on involvement in prepping and cooking hot food according to Sweetgreen’s specific standards and processes. You will provide real-time feedback to teammates, encouraging improvement and maintaining smooth kitchen operations by managing prep timing and inventory levels. Collaborating closely with Shift Leaders and Managers, you will help uphold food safety, cleanliness, and operational excellence.

This role is ideal for individuals who love kitchen work and take pride in food quality but prefer leadership responsibilities without the complexities of managing personnel. It is an excellent opportunity for those with experience in fast-paced kitchens, including fast casual restaurants, quick service restaurants, full-service establishments, or corporate dining settings. The Culinary Lead role also serves as a key stepping stone for career growth, with many top performers advancing to General Manager positions within two to three years.

Sweetgreen offers competitive wages and tips depending on location and role eligibility. The position provides medical, dental, and vision insurance options for part-time and full-time employees, paid vacation, wellness time, parental leave, a free meal every shift, a 401(k) plan, and access to a unique team member merchandise shop. Working at Sweetgreen is more than just a job — it is a chance to be part of a movement that is reshaping fast food and promoting a healthier future for communities across the nation.