Retail Shop Manager (East Passyunk Location)
About Us
Milk Jawn is a small-batch ice cream company based in Philadelphia. We use fresh Pennsylvania dairy and make almost everything by hand in our South Philly production kitchen—from the lemon curd in our Lemon Blueberry Basil to the toffee in our Malted Milk Toffee Crunch. Milk Jawn got its start in 2019, growing from pop-ups and deliveries into two scoop shops, a wholesale program, farmers' markets, and a loyal following of ice cream lovers. We’re obsessed with making exceptional ice cream and making people happy.
About the Role
The Shop Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations, team leadership, and overall performance of our East Passyunk location. This role ensures that every guest has an exceptional experience while maintaining high standards for product quality, cleanliness, and team culture.
About You
Our ideal Shop Manager is a people-first leader who cares about doing things well. You’ll lead and develop a team, set the tone on the floor, and make sure the shop is running smoothly day to day. We’re known for great ice cream, but also for genuinely friendly service—and we’re looking for someone who understands that both are essential to the Milk Jawn experience.
This is a hands-on, highly people-facing role. You’ll spend much of your time on the floor working alongside your team, jumping in wherever you’re needed, connecting with guests, and collaborating with other Milk Jawn department heads. You’re someone who enjoys being around people, brings great energy to the shop, takes pride in the details, and wants to build a strong team and a great place to work. And, of course, you love ice cream.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Culture
Hire, train, and develop scoopers and shift leads
Set clear expectations and provide timely feedback
Foster a positive, energetic, and respectful shop culture
Lead by example during shifts—especially during high-volume periods
Complete quarterly check-ins and reviews
Develop a bench of leadership that is ready to rise to future growth opportunities
Operations
Oversee daily shop operations including opening, closing, and shift execution
Create and manage staff schedules based on business needs
Ensure consistent product quality and presentation
Maintain cleanliness, organization, and food safety standards
Customer Experience
Ensure every guest receives friendly, efficient, and memorable service
Handle customer feedback and resolve issues professionally
Maintain a strong presence on the floor during peak hours
Inventory & Admin
Manage inventory levels, ordering, and waste control
Track and manage labor to align with sales goals
Manage shop communications and keep the team informed
Complete required administrative tasks, including scheduling, payroll reporting, and performance management
Oversee shop systems and processes, including cash handling, register accuracy, and daily checklists
What Success Looks Like
The shop runs smoothly—even during busy periods
The team is reliable, engaged, well-trained, and know what’s expected of them
Standards are clear, consistent, and upheld across the team
Customers consistently have a great experience
The space is impeccably clean, well-stocked, and organized
Problems are addressed quickly and effectively, without everything needing to be escalated
Qualifications
Previous management experience in food service, retail, or hospitality
ServSafe Managers Certificate or City of Philadelphia Food Establishment Certificate (or obtain within 30 days of hire)
Comfortable with technology, including POS systems, Google Docs, and spreadsheets, with the ability to track and report on purchasing, inventory, labor, and cash
Ability to bend, stoop, scoop, and handle other physically demanding tasks during a busy shift
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to give clear direction and feedback
Organized and able to stay calm, focused, and solutions-oriented during busy shifts
Willingness to work a variable schedule, including opening and closing shifts, weekends, and holidays
Eager to learn, take feedback, and continue growing as a leader
Strong work ethic, good heart, and team-first mentality
Adaptable and comfortable with the realities of a growing small business—things change, unexpected challenges come up, and everyone jumps in when needed
Takes initiative and ownership—you notice what needs attention, follow through, and don’t wait to be asked
THE DETAILS:
Job Type: Full Time (40 hrs/week)
Schedule: Flexible
Report: General Manager
Salary: $58,240 to $62,400 + Performance bonus plan tied to your impact and shop success
Location: East Passyunk (1439 E Passyunk Ave)
Benefits:
PTO (10 days to start, grows from there)
1.5x holiday pay for team members asked to work holidays
Health / Vision / Dental Insurance
A fun, positive place to work
Employee discount (30% off at our shops + 2 free pints/month)
Free ice cream
NEXT STEPS
Milk Jawn is growing, and we’re looking for people who want to grow with us. We value people who take ownership of their work, bring ideas to the table, and are excited to make an impact beyond their day-to-day responsibilities.
Along with your resume, send us a cover letter telling us a little about your management style, your most memorable food experience, and why you think you’d be a great fit for Milk Jawn. We do not use AI to screen candidates. We actually read every application.
We do our best to respond to all serious candidates within 7-14 days. APPLY HERE
Milk Jawn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, or sexual orientation.