Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a nationally recognized restaurant brand committed to fostering healthier communities by connecting people to real, fresh food. Established in 2007, Sweetgreen has revolutionized the concept of fast food by offering flavorful, wholesome meals that emphasize sustainability and relationships with local farmers. The company continually focuses on growth, not only expanding its footprint but also developing its team members through career opportunities that foster personal and professional growth. Working at Sweetgreen means being part of a movement where food, people, and purpose intersect, contributing to a healthier future both individually and communally. Sweetgreen values diversity and inclusivity, ensuring equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. It maintains a supportive and cooperative work environment aligned with federal, state, and local laws, and participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. The company also provides accommodations for candidates as permitted by law.

The Culinary Lead role, known internally as Kitchen Lead, is a pivotal position within Sweetgreen's kitchen team. This position is designed for individuals passionate about food quality and the culinary craft who prefer leadership responsibilities without the administrative duties of managing schedules and performance reviews. Culinary Leads are responsible for food preparation, cooking, and presentation standards to ensure every dish meets Sweetgreen’s quality, flavor, and safety expectations. Emphasizing consistency and operational excellence, the Culinary Lead is the go-to expert for food quality during each shift, supporting teammates through coaching and real-time feedback. Unlike traditional kitchen roles, this position involves no grills or fryers but leverages smart kitchen systems to maintain a clean, efficient, and effective cooking environment. Culinary Leads play a crucial role in maintaining food safety standards alongside Shift Leaders and Managers and are instrumental in managing prep timing and inventory levels to keep kitchen operations smooth and responsive to demand.

This role suits candidates who love working in a busy kitchen, take pride in their ability to deliver high-quality food consistently, and enjoy guiding and supporting their peers without formal people management responsibilities. Experience in high-volume kitchen environments such as fast casual, quick service, or full-service restaurants is highly valued. Sweetgreen offers a clear advancement path for Kitchen Leads aiming to grow into Shift Leader and General Manager roles within 2-3 years. Benefits include competitive wages, tips depending on location and role, medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible team members, paid time off such as vacation and parental leave, free meals during each shift, 401(k) options, and exclusive team member merchandise. This role requires a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week and mandates compliance with food safety certification and physical work requirements, ensuring individuals are capable of meeting the operational needs of the kitchen environment.