Culinary Lead: Elevate Food Quality & Kitchen Excellence

Sweetgreen; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tips* (subject to location and role)

Competitive wages

This role is a key step toward Shift –

Medical, dental, and vision options

Paid vacation, wellness time, and par­

Free meal every shift

401(k)*

Team Member Merch Shop - earn and buy

Job summary

Sweetgreen in Torrance is seeking a Culinary Lead to own food quality, prep, and presentation across shifts. You will set the standard for how food is made and shown, while mentoring peers through real-time feedback in a fast-paced kitchen with no grills or fryers.

This role emphasizes quality, consistency, and hands-on leadership without assigning schedules or performance reviews. It offers clear advancement paths toward shift leadership and management opportunities.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Food safety knowledge (Food Handler or ServSafe certification).
• Must be available to work a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Own food quality by ensuring every item meets Sweetgreen’s standards for flavor, food safety, and presentation
• Prep and cook hot food to standard using knives, kitchen tools, and ovens (no flames, no fryer oil)
• Help teammates improve food execution through real-time feedback
• Stay ahead of volume by managing prep timing and par levels to keep the kitchen running smoothly
• Be the advocate for food quality on shift, spotting issues early and fixing them fast
• Partner with Shift Leaders and Managers to uphold food safety, cleanliness, and operational excellence

Skills

Food safety cert

Job description

Sweetgreen in Torrance is seeking a Culinary Lead to own food quality, prep, and presentation across shifts. You will set the standard for how food is made and shown, while mentoring peers through real-time feedback in a fast-paced kitchen with no grills or fryers.

This role emphasizes quality, consistency, and hands-on leadership without assigning schedules or performance reviews. It offers clear advancement paths toward shift leadership and management opportunities.