Culinary Lead

Address 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd, Carmel, IN 46032, USA Compensation $17.66/hour Overview As a Culinary Lead (Kitchen Lead) at Sweetgreen, you are the food quality expert in the kitchen. You own how our food is prepped, cooked, and presented—and you lead by example through craft, coaching, and consistency. This is not a people manager role. You won’t write schedules or run performance reviews. You will set the standard for how food gets made every single shift. You are not running the shift alone; you are the go‑to person for food quality and kitchen execution. Unlike traditional restaurant kitchens, there are no grills, fryers—just smart systems and real food done right. What You’ll Actually Do 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 This Role is a Great Fit If You Love being in the kitchen and take pride in food quality, consistency, and clean execution Want leadership responsibility without full people management Enjoy training peers and getting them excited about new menu launches Have experience in high‑volume kitchens (fast casual, QSR, full service, or corporate dining all welcome) The Perks Tips* (subject to location and role) Competitive wages This role is a key step toward Shift leader and Manager opportunities Medical, dental, and vision options for part‑time and full‑time team members* Paid vacation, wellness time, and parental leave* Free meal every shift 401(k)* Team Member Merch Shop – earn and buy custom Sweetgreen gear *Depending on eligibility Requirements Meet all physical requirements for all roles within the Kitchen Lead career path, including Team Member. Comfortable working on your feet Maintain attention to detail and environmental awareness during operations Use touch to assess quality and complete detail‑oriented tasks Routinely handling items up to 5–25 lbs, and occasionally handling items 40–50 lbs Food safety knowledge (Food Handler or ServSafe certification) Able to follow food safety, cleanliness, and quality standards Must be available to work a minimum of 30 hours per week Must be 18 years of age or older Must be authorized to work in the United States EEO Statement Sweetgreen provides equal opportunities for everyone who works for us and everyone who applies to join our team, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, any service, past, present, or future, in the uniformed services of the United States (military or veteran status), or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law. Sweetgreen participates in the federal government’s E‑Verify program to determine employment eligibility. To learn more about the E‑Verify program, please refer to the official resources. #J-18808-Ljbffr Fountain