Sous Chef

Sweetgreen is a well-established national restaurant brand dedicated to building healthier communities by connecting people to real, fresh food. Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen stands out in the fast-casual dining industry by reimagining fast food to be both flavorful and rooted in meaningful relationships with farmers and local communities. The company emphasizes sustainable practices, high-quality ingredients, and innovative kitchen processes to ensure foods are fresh, healthy, and prepared thoughtfully. As it continues to grow, Sweetgreen is committed not only to expanding its market presence but also to nurturing its employees' development across all levels including restaurants and corporate support centers. The inclusive culture promotes diversity and equal opportunity for all team members regardless of their background. Joining Sweetgreen means being part of a mission-driven movement where food, people, and purpose intersect to create thriving, healthier environments for customers and employees alike.

The Culinary Lead role, known internally as Kitchen Lead, is a pivotal position responsible for ensuring exemplary food quality in Sweetgreen kitchens. This role is perfect for those passionate about food craftsmanship, consistency, and maintaining high standards in food preparation, cooking, and presentation. Unlike traditional kitchen roles, this position does not include direct people management duties such as scheduling or performance reviews, but instead focuses on coaching team members and setting culinary standards through expertise and hands-on leadership in the kitchen. Culinary Leads serve as the main point of contact for food-quality issues and kitchen execution challenges during their shifts, championing efficient operations through preparation timing, quality assurance, and real-time feedback. The kitchens operate with smart systems and emphasize real food—there are no grills or fryers, underscoring Sweetgreen’s commitment to healthy food preparation.

This full-time or part-time position offers competitive wages, tips (subject to location), and benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees. Culinary Leads gain valuable experience in high-volume fast casual environments and have a clear advancement pathway to Shift Leader and General Manager roles within 2 to 3 years, making this role ideal for those pursuing a long-term career in the food service industry. The role requires standing for extended periods, physical handling of ingredients, and strict adherence to food safety and cleanliness standards, with Food Handler or ServSafe certification mandatory. Sweetgreen offers a range of employee benefits including paid vacation, wellness time, parental leave, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan. Employees also enjoy a free meal every shift and the opportunity to purchase custom Sweetgreen merchandise. Overall, the Culinary Lead role is a critical contributor to the company’s mission of crafting delicious, healthy food while fostering team growth and operational excellence within an innovative and supportive work environment.