Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a renowned national restaurant brand that has redefined fast food by prioritizing fresh, flavorful food and fostering deep connections with farmers and local communities since its inception in 2007. The company is committed to creating healthier communities by offering real food options and maintaining a sustainability-focused approach in all its operations. Sweetgreen operates numerous locations across the United States and continues to expand, emphasizing a positive work culture, equal opportunity employment, and professional growth within its teams. The company deeply values diversity and inclusivity, ensuring all employees and applicants are treated with respect regardless of gender, race, or any legally protected characteristics.

The Culinary Lead position at Sweetgreen, also known as the Kitchen Lead, is a pivotal role centered on culinary excellence and food quality leadership within the kitchen environment. This role is specialized and distinct from traditional restaurant kitchen leadership, as it does not involve direct people management such as scheduling or performance reviews. Instead, the Culinary Lead acts as the foremost expert in food preparation, cooking processes, and presentation during each shift. This position entails upholding Sweetgreen's high standards for food safety, flavor, and operational smoothness, ensuring a consistently excellent dining experience for customers.

A Culinary Lead is responsible for managing food quality with precision, using no-flame cooking equipment like ovens and kitchen tools rather than traditional fryer or grill setups. They guide teammates through real-time coaching, fostering skill development and enthusiasm for new menu offerings. This role requires attentiveness to kitchen volume, prep timing, and inventory to maintain efficient operations and prevent delays. The Culinary Lead is also a crucial partner with Shift Leaders and Managers to guarantee food safety, cleanliness, and overall operational excellence.

This position is an excellent fit for individuals who are passionate about food craftsmanship and take pride in consistency and quality without the added responsibility of full managerial duties. It suits candidates who thrive in busy kitchen environments and enjoy mentoring peers. Importantly, this role is a clear pathway to advanced leadership opportunities, with ambitious Kitchen Leads often advancing to General Manager positions within two to three years. Benefits include competitive wages, tips where applicable, medical, dental, and vision options for eligible employees, paid leave, a free meal every shift, and more. This role requires a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week and adherence to federal and state labor regulations. Sweetgreen supports career growth by providing training and a supportive atmosphere that nurtures the next generation of leaders dedicated to transforming fast food into a healthier future.