Culinary Lead: Quality-Driven Kitchen Leader

Sweetgreen; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tips

Competitive wages

Growth opportunities to Shift Leader/}

Medical, dental, and vision options

Paid vacation, wellness time, and par­

Free meal every shift

401(k)

Team Member Merch Shop

Job summary

Sweetgreen is seeking a Kitchen Lead in Arlington, VA to own food quality across prep, cooking, and presentation. You set standards and coach teammates, ensuring safety and consistency without formal people management.

The role emphasizes fast, high-volume operation with no grills or fryers, and a clear path to general manager in 2–3 years. You’ll partner with Shift Leaders to uphold safety, cleanliness, and operational excellence, while delivering top-quality meals for guests and supporting a

Qualifications

• Experience ensuring flavor, safety, and presentation meet standards.
• Ability to coach teammates and improve food execution in real time.
• Comfortable guiding operations without formal people management.

Responsibilities

• Own food quality and ensure items meet standards for flavor, safety, and presentation.
• Prep and cook hot food using knives, tools, and ovens (no grills/oil fryers).
• Provide real-time feedback to teammates to improve execution.
• Manage prep timing and par levels to handle high volume.
• Advocate for food quality on shift and fix issues quickly.
• Collaborate with Shift Leaders and Managers on safety and operations.

Skills

Food quality

Coaching

Leadership (individual contributor)

Food safety knowledge

Job description

Sweetgreen is seeking a Kitchen Lead in Arlington, VA to own food quality across prep, cooking, and presentation. You set standards and coach teammates, ensuring safety and consistency without formal people management.

The role emphasizes fast, high-volume operation with no grills or fryers, and a clear path to general manager in 2–3 years. You’ll partner with Shift Leaders to uphold safety, cleanliness, and operational excellence, while delivering top-quality meals for guests and supporting a