Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a national restaurant brand dedicated to building healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen has transformed fast food by emphasizing fresh, flavorful meals made from real, wholesome ingredients. The company prides itself on its strong relationships with farmers and local communities, ensuring that each meal served is not only delicious but also supports sustainable agriculture and responsible sourcing practices. Sweetgreen has grown into a leading fast-casual restaurant chain with a focus on health, sustainability, and transparency. Their mission goes beyond serving food; they are creating spaces where food, people, and purpose intertwine, fostering communities that thrive on good nutrition and positive impact.

The Culinary Lead role at Sweetgreen, also known as Kitchen Lead, is pivotal in maintaining the brand's high standards for food quality and kitchen execution. This position is ideal for individuals who are passionate about food preparation and take pride in consistency and presentation but are not looking to manage people directly. As a Culinary Lead, you will be the expert responsible for how food is prepped, cooked, and presented during every shift. You will set the standard for food quality, ensuring every item meets the strict guidelines for flavor, food safety, and appearance. Unlike traditional restaurant kitchens, the environment at Sweetgreen includes no grills or fryers, relying instead on kitchens equipped with smart systems and ovens to create fresh and healthy meals.

This role is not a people management position, so you won’t handle scheduling or performance reviews. Instead, you will lead by example, providing real-time feedback to teammates to elevate food execution and uphold operational excellence. Working alongside Shift Leaders and Managers, you will advocate for food safety, cleanliness, and smooth kitchen operations. Part of the role includes managing prep timing and inventory par levels to keep the kitchen running efficiently even during high-volume periods. This position offers a unique opportunity to grow within the company since top-performing Kitchen Leads are often promoted to General Manager roles within 2 to 3 years.

Sweetgreen offers competitive wages, eligibility for tips depending on location, and comprehensive benefits for both part-time and full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance options. Additional perks include paid vacation, wellness time, parental leave, free meals during shifts, 401(k) plans, and access to a team merchandise shop featuring custom Sweetgreen gear. The company is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace and provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of background or protected status. Sweetgreen also participates in the federal E-Verify program to ensure employment eligibility in the United States.

Joining Sweetgreen as a Culinary Lead is an excellent step for anyone looking to combine a passion for food with leadership opportunities without the full responsibility of people management. It is a chance to be part of a forward-thinking food movement, contribute to healthier communities, and build a rewarding career with a brand dedicated to doing food right.