Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a nationally recognized restaurant brand committed to building healthier communities by connecting people with real, fresh food. Since its founding in 2007, Sweetgreen has revolutionized fast food by emphasizing fresh ingredients, environmentally responsible sourcing, and strong relationships with farmers and local communities. The company thrives on a culture that values purpose, sustainability, and innovation in food service, making it a prominent name in the fast casual dining industry. Sweetgreen not only provides delicious and healthy meal options but also creates a work environment where employees can grow their career and impact the future of food positively. Their focus on diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity reflects their dedication to fostering a supportive and respectful workplace.

The role of Culinary Lead, known internally as Kitchen Lead, at Sweetgreen is a pivotal position focused on ensuring the highest standards of food quality in the kitchen. Unlike traditional kitchen roles, this job does not include full people management responsibilities such as scheduling or performance reviews. Instead, the Culinary Lead acts as the food quality expert, leading by example through meticulous preparation, cooking, and presentation of Sweetgreen's menu items. This position demands consistent craftsmanship and the ability to coach team members to uphold food safety, flavor standards, and presentation while managing kitchen operations efficiently during shifts. The work environment excludes typical high-heat cooking equipment like grills and fryers, relying instead on smart kitchen systems and techniques centered around real food prepared correctly.

As a Culinary Lead, you will be responsible for owning the culinary quality every shift, ensuring that every dish that leaves the kitchen meets Sweetgreen’s strict standards. You will interact closely with Shift Leaders and Managers to maintain operational excellence, food safety, and kitchen cleanliness. This role requires hands-on involvement in prepping and cooking hot food with precision using kitchen tools and ovens. You will help improve your teammates’ skills by providing real-time feedback and manage prep timing to keep up with volume demands smoothly. The Culinary Lead is the advocate for food quality on shift, quickly identifying and resolving issues to maintain cooking standards.

This position is an excellent fit for those who love working in the kitchen and have a passion for food quality and clean execution but prefer a leadership role without direct people management responsibilities. It is ideal for individuals with experience in high-volume kitchen environments such as fast-casual restaurants, quick service restaurants (QSR), or full-service dining. The Culinary Lead position is also designed to be a stepping stone towards becoming a Shift Leader or General Manager, with top performers often advancing within 2 to 3 years. Sweetgreen rewards its team members with competitive wages, tips (subject to location and role), and ample benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage for both part-time and full-time employees, paid vacation and parental leave, and a 401(k) plan. Additionally, employees enjoy perks such as free meals during every shift and access to a merch shop for custom Sweetgreen gear.