Culinary Lead: Quality Kitchen Leader

Sweetgreen; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tips

Competitive wages

Medical, dental, vision for part-time/

Paid vacation and parental leave

Free meal

401(k)

Team gear

Job summary

Sweetgreen is seeking a Kitchen Lead to oversee food quality and kitchen execution. You will own how items are prepped, cooked, and presented, coaching teammates and maintaining high standards across shifts.

This role emphasizes leadership without formal people management and focuses on consistency, safety, and operational excellence in a fast-paced kitchen. Join a team that values real food, smart systems, and growth opportunities toward shift leadership and management roles within 2–3 years.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume kitchens.
• Experience leading by example in kitchen quality and execution.
• Able to coach peers and improve food execution in real time.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, constraint-based kitchen environment.

Responsibilities

• Own food quality by ensuring all items meet Sweetgreen standards for flavor, safety, and presentation.
• Prep and cook hot food to standard using knives, kitchen tools, and ovens (no flames).
• Help teammates improve food execution through real-time feedback.
• Manage prep timing and par levels to maintain kitchen flow.
• Advocate for food quality on shift and fix issues quickly.
• Partner with Shift Leaders and Managers to uphold food safety and sanitation.

Skills

Food quality

Leadership without people mgmt

Team training

High-volume kitchens

Job description

Sweetgreen is seeking a Kitchen Lead to oversee food quality and kitchen execution. You will own how items are prepped, cooked, and presented, coaching teammates and maintaining high standards across shifts.

This role emphasizes leadership without formal people management and focuses on consistency, safety, and operational excellence in a fast-paced kitchen. Join a team that values real food, smart systems, and growth opportunities toward shift leadership and management roles within 2–3 years.