Head Coach

sweetgreen • Denver, CO

7d

About The Position

The Head Coach (General Manager) leads, strategizes for, and mentors a store. This role balances people, operations, and business performance to inspire the team, drive operational excellence, and deliver exceptional guest experiences. The Head Coach uses data-driven insights and technology to optimize operations and profitability while helping build healthier communities through real food.

The role is responsible for the full employee lifecycle, including building an inclusive culture, ensuring compliance, providing timely feedback, and developing a diverse talent pipeline. It maintains food safety, cleanliness, equipment, and team-safety standards; resolves facility, supply, and food-quality issues; and delivers clean, hospitable, brand-aligned guest experiences.

The Head Coach drives sales and profit by analyzing reports, managing costs, executing strategic plans, and scheduling in line with business goals. The role operates and supports business systems, troubleshoots issues, and prioritizes daily operations. It also performs the essential functions of the Assistant Coach role, including duties from the Shift Leader, Kitchen Lead, and Team Member roles.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of food-service experience, including at least 2 years in hands-on management.
• Experience hiring, developing, training, and motivating team members.
• Skill in planning, managing, and forecasting financials, labor, and inventory.
• Hands-on experience managing and optimizing processes in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor teams collaboratively.
• Meet the physical requirements of the Head Coach career path roles, including Assistant Coach, Shift Leader, Kitchen Lead, and Team Member.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in high-volume, fast-paced restaurants.
• Hands-on experience with local, organic, and sustainable products.
• ServSafe Manager or Regional Manager Food Safety Certification.
• Comfort with digital tools for operations, reporting, and team communication.
• Strong financial acumen, including managing budgets, labor, and P&L.
• Exceptional adaptability and problem-solving in dynamic environments.
• A data-driven mindset and curiosity to identify and implement operational improvements.
• Commitment to operational excellence, hospitality, and team engagement.
• Experience in fast-casual or retail operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team by balancing people, operations, and business performance.
• Foster an inclusive culture; coach talent and lead the full employee lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance, provide timely feedback, and develop a strong, diverse talent pipeline.
• Maintain food safety, cleanliness, equipment maintenance, and team-safety standards.
• Resolve facility, supply, and food-quality issues.
• Deliver clean, hospitable, brand-aligned guest experiences and act on guest metrics.
• Analyze reports, manage costs, execute strategic plans, and create schedules aligned with business goals to drive sales and profit.
• Operate and support systems, troubleshoot issues, and prioritize daily operations.
• Perform the essential functions of the Assistant Coach role and the Shift Leader, Kitchen Lead, and Team Member roles.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary with 20% bonus potential.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Paid vacation and wellness time.
• 401(k) program.
• Paid family leave.
• Complimentary greens and Sweetgreen swag.
• Opportunities to impact the team, community, and business.
• Collaborative team that lives the company’s core values.
• Clear career path for personal and professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed