West Cary - Kitchen Lead

sweetgreen • Cary, NC

9d

About The Position

The Kitchen Lead, called a Culinary Lead at Sweetgreen, is the food-quality expert in the kitchen. This role owns how food is prepared, cooked, and presented, setting the standard for food execution through craft, coaching, and consistency. It is not a people-manager or solo shift-lead role; the Kitchen Lead is the go-to person for food quality and kitchen execution and partners with Shift Leaders and Managers. The kitchen uses knives, kitchen tools, and ovens, with no grills or fryers. Top-performing Kitchen Leads have a stated path to General Manager within 2–3 years.

Requirements

• Food safety knowledge, with Food Handler or ServSafe certification.
• Ability to follow food safety, cleanliness, and quality standards.
• Comfort working on your feet and maintaining attention to detail and environmental awareness during operations.
• Ability to use touch to assess quality and complete detail-oriented tasks.
• Routinely handle items weighing 5–25 lbs and occasionally handle items weighing 40–50 lbs.
• Availability to work a minimum of 30 hours per week.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in high-volume kitchens; fast casual, QSR, full-service, and corporate dining experience are welcome.
• Enjoyment of kitchen work and pride in food quality, consistency, and clean execution.
• Interest in leadership responsibility without full people management.
• Enjoyment of training peers and building enthusiasm for menu launches.

Responsibilities

• Ensure every item meets Sweetgreen’s standards for flavor, food safety, and presentation.
• Prepare and cook hot food to standard using knives, kitchen tools, and ovens.
• Give teammates real-time feedback to improve food execution.
• Manage prep timing and par levels to keep the kitchen running smoothly and stay ahead of volume.
• Advocate for food quality during shifts by identifying issues early and resolving them quickly.
• Partner with Shift Leaders and Managers to uphold food safety, cleanliness, and operational excellence.
• Train peers and help build enthusiasm for new menu launches.

Benefits

• Tips, subject to location and role.
• Competitive wages.
• A development path toward Shift Leader and Manager opportunities.
• Medical, dental, and vision options for part-time and full-time team members.
• Paid vacation and wellness time.
• Parental leave.
• Free meal every shift.
• 401(k).
• Team Member Merch Shop with opportunities to earn and buy custom Sweetgreen gear.

What This Job Offers

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