Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a pioneering national restaurant brand renowned for its commitment to building healthier communities through real food. Established in 2007, Sweetgreen has revolutionized fast food by focusing on fresh, flavorful ingredients and fostering strong relationships with farmers and local communities. As a rapidly growing business, Sweetgreen prioritizes the personal and professional development of its team members, believing that a collaborative environment where food, people, and purpose intersect creates a positive future for all involved. The company is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work culture, providing equal opportunities, and adhering to all legal employment practices, including participation in the federal government’s E-Verify program.

The role of Culinary Lead, also known internally as Kitchen Lead at Sweetgreen, is central to this mission. This position is ideal for a food quality expert who will take charge of how food is prepped, cooked, and presented in the kitchen. Unlike typical leadership roles that include people management responsibilities such as scheduling and performance reviews, this role focuses specifically on delivering exceptional food quality and consistency on every shift. The Culinary Lead is a hands-on role that requires leading by example through craftsmanship, coaching, and maintaining high standards. Sweetgreen kitchens are unique in that they avoid traditional heavy equipment such as grills and fryers, instead utilizing smart kitchen designs and systems that emphasize real food done right.

As a Culinary Lead, you will be pivotal in ensuring every food item meets Sweetgreen's strict standards for flavor, food safety, and presentation. Cooking techniques lean heavily on prep skills, careful use of kitchen tools, knives, and ovens without the use of open flames or fryers, making the environment safer and cleaner. This role demands not only culinary skill but also real-time mentorship to help teammates consistently improve their food execution. You will manage prep timing and par levels to maintain smooth kitchen operation and act as the key advocate for food quality during shifts by quickly identifying and resolving any issues.

While this is not a full managerial position, the Culinary Lead partners closely with Shift Leaders and Managers to uphold standards in food safety, cleanliness, and operational excellence. Ambitious Culinary Leads ambitious to progress will find this role an excellent step towards advanced leadership opportunities within Sweetgreen, with many top performers moving toward General Manager roles within two to three years. This role offers a rewarding balance of leadership and hands-on culinary work that appeals to those who want to make a direct impact on the quality and reputation of their kitchen without the full scope of management tasks.

Sweetgreen’s company culture is deeply committed to sustainability, community involvement, and employee well-being. Benefits include competitive wages, tips where applicable, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage options for both part-time and full-time employees, paid time off, and more. The company also fosters team spirit through initiatives like a Team Member Merch Shop where employees can earn and purchase custom Sweetgreen apparel. Joining Sweetgreen means becoming part of a movement to rewrite the future of fast food—one that values health, quality, and community in every meal served.