Culinary Lead: Elevate Quality & Kitchen Excellence

sweetgreen; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tips*

Competitive wages

Shift leader & Manager opportunities

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid vacation & parental leave

Free meal

401(k)

Team Member Merch Shop

Job summary

Sweetgreen is seeking a Kitchen Lead to own food quality across prep, cooking, and presentation. You will set the standard for how food is made on every shift and lead by example with craft, coaching, and consistency, without writing schedules or conducting performance reviews.

The role focuses on high-quality, no-grill kitchen operations and offers a path to General Manager within 2–3 years for top performers. You’ll work in a fast-paced environment with real food and smart systems.

Qualifications

• Food safety knowledge and adherence to quality standards.
• Ability to coach peers and improve food execution.
• Strong attention to detail in fast-paced kitchen environments.

Responsibilities

• Own food quality and ensure items meet standards for flavor, safety, and presentation.
• Prep and cook hot food to standard using knives and ovens (no flames/fryer oil).
• Provide real-time feedback to teammates to improve execution.
• Manage prep timing and par levels to keep the kitchen running smoothly.
• Advocate for food quality on shift and fix issues quickly.
• Collaborate with Shift Leaders and Managers on safety and cleanliness.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Quality control

Leadership without people management

Attention to detail

Job description

Sweetgreen is seeking a Kitchen Lead to own food quality across prep, cooking, and presentation. You will set the standard for how food is made on every shift and lead by example with craft, coaching, and consistency, without writing schedules or conducting performance reviews.

The role focuses on high-quality, no-grill kitchen operations and offers a path to General Manager within 2–3 years for top performers. You’ll work in a fast-paced environment with real food and smart systems.