Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a leading national restaurant brand dedicated to promoting healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen has revolutionized fast food by emphasizing fresh, flavorful, and wholesome meals made from locally sourced ingredients. Their commitment lies not only in serving sustainable food but also in fostering strong relationships with farmers and communities. As the company expands, it focuses on investing in its people, offering career growth opportunities within its restaurants and support centers. Sweetgreen values diversity and inclusion, providing equal employment opportunities to all candidates regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or veteran status. The company encourages applicants to join a movement that integrates food, people, and purpose.

The role of Culinary Lead, also known internally as Kitchen Lead, is essential to maintaining Sweetgreen's high standards of food quality, preparation, and presentation. Unlike traditional kitchens, Sweetgreen’s culinary operations do not use grills or fryers but rely on smart systems and techniques to deliver real food done right. This position is not a full managerial role; it does not require scheduling or performance reviews. Instead, the Culinary Lead is the kitchen’s food quality expert and the go-to person responsible for ensuring every dish meets the company’s flavor, safety, and presentation standards. This role requires leading by example through craftsmanship, coaching, and consistent execution during each shift.

The Culinary Lead manages the preparation and cooking of hot foods using knives, kitchen tools, and ovens with no open flames or fryer oil. They actively help teammates improve their food execution with immediate feedback and coordinate prep timing and inventory levels to handle high kitchen volumes smoothly. Collaborating closely with Shift Leaders and Managers, the Culinary Lead upholds food safety, cleanliness, and operational excellence throughout the shift. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about working in a kitchen environment who want to embrace leadership responsibilities without full people management duties. Performance in this role can fast-track growth, with top-performing Culinary Leads often advancing to General Manager positions within two to three years. The job is typically part-time with the flexibility to work a minimum of 30 hours per week, and Sweetgreen offers competitive wages along with a suite of benefits to its team members.