Kitchen Shift Lead

Sweetgreen is a leading national restaurant brand that has been dedicated to building healthier communities since 2007 by connecting people to real, wholesome food. With a revolutionary approach to fast food, Sweetgreen has reimagined the dining experience to emphasize fresh, flavorful ingredients cultivated through strong relationships with farmers and local communities. As the brand continues to grow, it remains committed to developing its people across both its restaurant locations and support centers, fostering a culture where food, people, and purpose come together. Sweetgreen operates a unique kitchen system with smart tools and equipment that prioritize quality and sustainability, eliminating traditional restaurant elements like grills and fryers in favor of a cleaner, more efficient cooking process. The company provides equal employment opportunities and values diversity, inclusion, and community well-being, making it a rewarding place to build a career in the food industry.

The role of Culinary Lead, also known as a Kitchen Lead at Sweetgreen, is pivotal in maintaining the brand’s food quality and kitchen operational standards. As the food quality expert on shift, the Culinary Lead owns the preparation, cooking, and presentation of all menu items, leading by example through skill, coaching, and consistent execution. Unlike traditional kitchen leadership roles, this position does not involve direct people management tasks such as scheduling or conducting performance reviews. Instead, it focuses entirely on setting the standard for how food is produced and maintained during every shift. This leadership role demands an individual deeply passionate about food quality and consistency, equipped to provide real-time feedback, oversee kitchen efficiency, manage prep timing and inventory levels, and ensure that all food meets Sweetgreen’s rigorous standards for flavor, safety, and presentation. Culinary Leads collaborate closely with Shift Leaders and Managers to uphold food safety regulations, cleanliness, and operational excellence.

This position offers a clear career path toward higher leadership, including opportunities to advance to Shift Leader and eventually General Manager within two to three years for top-performing Culinary Leads. The role requires physical stamina, keen attention to detail, and a strong commitment to food safety practices, such as having a Food Handler or ServSafe certification. Candidates should have experience working in high-volume kitchens—whether fast casual, QSR, full service, or corporate dining—and a genuine enthusiasm for training peers and promoting a positive team culture. The Culinary Lead position is perfect for individuals who want to take on leadership responsibilities in the kitchen without the full scope of people management. Sweetgreen offers competitive wages, tips where applicable, medical, dental, and vision benefits, paid time off, wellness and parental leave options, free meals every shift, 401(k) plans, and access to a team member merchandise shop, providing a comprehensive package that supports personal and professional growth. This role requires a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week and the eligibility to work in the United States.