Sous Chef

Sweetgreen is a prominent national restaurant brand committed to building healthier communities by connecting people to real, fresh, and flavorful food. Established in 2007, Sweetgreen has redefined fast food by emphasizing quality ingredients and meaningful relationships with farmers and local communities. With a strong dedication to sustainability and wellness, Sweetgreen offers a unique dining experience that prioritizes food made right from scratch without the use of traditional grilling or frying methods, focusing instead on smart kitchen systems and fresh ingredients. As part of its growth strategy, Sweetgreen invests heavily in developing its team members across both restaurant locations and corporate support centers, fostering an inclusive and dynamic work environment that values diversity, equal opportunity, and equal access for all candidates and employees.

The Culinary Lead role, also known as Kitchen Lead at Sweetgreen, is a pivotal position within the restaurant's operations. This role requires a dedicated individual who acts as the food quality expert in the kitchen, responsible for ensuring every dish prepared, cooked, and presented meets Sweetgreen's high standards for flavor, food safety, and visual appeal. Unlike many food service positions, the Culinary Lead position focuses on leadership through culinary craft, coaching peers, maintaining consistency, and setting a benchmark for kitchen execution each shift. It is important to note that this role is not a traditional people management position; it does not involve writing schedules or conducting performance evaluations. Instead, the Culinary Lead is the go-to authority for all things related to food quality and kitchen precision, supporting the team throughout each busy shift.

This position plays a critical role in the smooth operation of the kitchen by managing prep timings, par levels, and providing real-time feedback to teammates to enhance their food preparation skills and adherence to standards. Culinary Leads collaborate closely with Shift Leaders and Managers to uphold essential food safety protocols, cleanliness, and operational excellence. The role suits individuals who enjoy being in the kitchen, take pride in ensuring consistent food quality, and desire leadership responsibilities without the full scope of managing staff.

This opportunity is ideal for those with experience in high-volume kitchens such as fast-casual restaurants, QSRs, full-service dining, or corporate dining environments eager to contribute to a company dedicated to culinary excellence and health-focused fast food. Additionally, Sweetgreen offers a clear career progression track where top-performing Culinary Leads can advance to General Manager positions within 2 to 3 years. Compensation for this part-time or full-time position is competitive and complemented by various benefits including tips (where applicable), medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) plan. Sweetgreen also promotes team engagement through perks like free meals every shift and access to a custom merchandise shop. Overall, the Culinary Lead role at Sweetgreen presents an empowering opportunity to advance your culinary career while joining a movement dedicated to transforming fast food for a healthier future.