Value Chain Specialist

sweetgreen is on a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. We passionately believe that real food should be convenient and accessible to everyone. Every day in each sweetgreen, our 4,000 team members make food from scratch, using fresh ingredients and produce delivered that morning. And in our local communities, we're committed to leaving people better than we found them. We're in the business of feeding people, and we're out to change what that means. Our teams are our most valuable ingredient - the heart of our company, the face of our brand, and what truly makes the sweetgreen experience special and unique.

The Value Chain Specialist has the following main responsibilities:

• Manage the direct relationships with our suppliers & growers in our current and expanding Mid-Western Markets
• Drive multiple Food Ethos grocery ingredient improvements and resiliency while holding product costs at or below current targets.
• Source and deliver new ingredients, including finding multiple options, for new menu initiatives at or below the forecasted price point target. Implement a formal vendor onboarding system for current and new suppliers, including the review of our terms and conditions.
• Analyze upstream opportunities from a supply chain standpoint for select ingredients to create operational wins while maintaining our quality and food ethos standards.
• Use of a project management system to display timelines and track milestones.
• Optimize the flow of product from the producer to first receiver to minimize freight inefficiencies and inventory risks

How to Build our Supply Network

Manage the Direct Relationships with our Suppliers

• Become the main point of contact with Midwest produce growers and regional, local food producers & select national grocery items
• Build new relationships with growers and regional suppliers and determine how sweetgreen can best support their growth
• Negotiate annual pricing and contracts and audit supplier scorecards
• Estimate FOB & freight costs to distribution centers by ingredient
• Support any food safety related issues connected to our growers/producers

Assess Growers by Using our Ethos Continuously to Improve the Supply Chain

• Assess new growers using our internal Grower Ethos rating system
• Support the migration of our current grower base to implement better sustainability practices

Crop Plan with Growers to Ensure Future Supply

• Confirm long-term ingredients with the Culinary team based on a dynamic regional produce availability list
• Negotiate the specifications of the desired product with the farmer

Evaluate and integrate efficient, cost effective logistics solutions where needed

• Evaluate current and future logistics needs for sweetgreen from grower to our designated distribution network
• Propose and integrate logistics solutions where needed to create faster, more efficient and cost effective freight options for sweetgreen regionally

Assess, respond and integrate solutions for produce quality issues

• Communicate directly with growers on any quality improvements when needed; track progress to ensure long term improvement and success

Desired Traits

• Desire to build an unparalleled food supply chain that supports farmers, sweetgreen, and our customers
• Create win/win/win scenarios across the supply chain by tracking and organizing all of the information required to drive success
• Ability to successfully handle many projects at once
• Excellent communication skills, ability to communicate clearly across multiple channels and supply chain partners
• Proficient time management, task management, and project prioritization skills
• Place the team's success before individual accolades
• Ability to deeply connect with farmers, growers, and producers of all types

Desired Experience

• Minimum of 2+years of experience working with North American growing regions, foodsheds, farmers and producers Knowledge and familiarity with general soil health principles and regenerative practices including but not limited to: soil biology, cover cropping, soil organic matter, carbon sequestration, no-till farming methods.
• Bachelor's degree with technical background in Environmental Health, Food Science, Agriculture, or Supply Chain related course of study or equivalent experience
• Experience moving perishable product through distribution channels
• Familiarity with food-related certifications and the requirements for a grower to achieve various certifications (specially food safety certification)
• General knowledge of manufacturing and agricultural practices

What you'll get:

• Base salary range based on experience 60k - 70k
• Three different medical plans to suit your and your family's needs
• Dental and Vision insurance
• Flexible PTO plan
• 401k program
• Paid family leave; we believe in fully supporting new parents
• Employee HSA and FSA
• Complimentary greens
• An opportunity to make a real impact on the people around you, both by growing them and by connecting them to real food
• To live the sweetlife and celebrate your passion + purpose
• A collaborative team of people who live our core values and have your back
• A clear career path with opportunities for development, both personally and professionally
• Free sweetgreen swag

Come join the sweetlife!

About sweetgreen

sweetgreen is on a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. We passionately believe that real food should be convenient and accessible to everyone. Every day in each sweetgreen, our 3,500 team members make food from scratch, using fresh ingredients and produce delivered that morning. And in our local communities, we're committed to leaving people better than we found them. We're in the business of feeding people, and we're out to change what that means.

sweetgreen provides equal opportunities for everyone that works for us and everyone that applies to join our team, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, 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 click here.