Company description

Milk Jawn is an award-winning small-batch, premium ice cream company based in Philly. We use fresh, local PA dairy to make our delicious flavors and almost every ingredient that goes into our ice cream is handmade in our production kitchen. We're obsessed with crafting great ice cream and great experiences—both for our guests and our team.

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE
We're looking for a Production Manager to lead our South Philly manufacturing kitchen. This is a crucial leadership position reporting to the CEO/Creative Director, responsible for the strategic planning and oversight of ice cream production, as well as baked goods and mix-ins. The person in this role ensures that we have the ice cream to support our scoop shops, farmers' markets, and wholesale partners, and that everything that leaves our kitchen meets our high standards.

This role focuses on high-level operations: production scheduling, staffing and culture, inventory and procurement, quality control systems, food safety compliance, and facilities management. You will work alongside an Assistant Production Manager who helps support the day-to-day kitchen operations, allowing you time to focus on continuous improvement and long-term planning.
This is as much a business operations role as it is a hands-on kitchen leadership role. You'll spend significant time working with spreadsheets, our ERP system (Wherefour), and other business tools to manage inventory, analyze production data, control costs, and optimize our processes. The ideal candidate is as comfortable with numbers and technology as they are with kitchen SOPs and equipment, and is excited about using data to drive decisions.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Production Leadership: Lead production activities on the floor, set the pace and standard for the team, directly supervise food preparation, track progress throughout the day, and problem-solve issues as they arise.
• Production Planning & Scheduling: Develop and manage the weekly production schedule to maximize efficiency and meet demand. Write staff schedules and coordinate with sales and retail teams to align production with forecasted needs.
• Staffing & Culture: Recruit, interview, and hire production staff. Train, manage, and support the production team, including the Assistant Production Manager. Coach, mentor, and inspire the team, conduct performance reviews, and celebrate wins.
• Inventory & Procurement: Oversee inventory reconciliation and accurate tracking using our ERP system (Wherefour). Manage ordering to meet production needs, maintain necessary pars, monitor cost fluctuations, and develop relationships with key suppliers.
• Quality Control & SOPs: Develop, implement, and maintain quality control procedures. Work with the Operations Manager to develop SOPs and SSOPs. Sample and quality-check products, escalate quality issues, and ensure all weights and outputs are documented.
• Food Safety & Compliance: Uphold all health, safety, and sanitation guidelines. Facilitate inspections by the Department of Agriculture and Philadelphia Department of Health. Coordinate monthly lab testing and ensure food products are stored safely in compliance with FIFO.
• Facilities Management: Ensure the production facility is clean, safe, and sanitary. Report and schedule repairs and maintenance. Oversee facility improvements and equipment upgrades.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyze performance data and develop strategies to increase productivity. Research new methods and technologies. Identify opportunities for efficiency gains and waste reduction, and collaborate with the CEO/Creative Director on recipe development.

ABOUT YOU

You are a hands-on, people-first leader excited to keep learning, try new tools, and push our brand forward while thoughtfully protecting the magic that makes our ice cream and our culture special. You are looking forward to being in this role for a long while, growing with us and rolling up your sleeves to pitch in wherever you are most needed. No two days are ever the same in our small business, so your flexibility, creative problem-solving skills, and can-do attitude are key. Most of all, you are excited to help us spread joy and happiness throughout our community, one artfully produced scoop and pint at a time.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• 5+ years managing employees in a production, manufacturing, or high-volume kitchen environment
• Prior food preparation or food manufacturing experience
• Basic math proficiency for conversions, percentages, fractions, and recipe scaling
• Experience with Excel, Google Sheets, ERP systems, or inventory control software
• Strong analytical skills; comfortable using data to make decisions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; fluency in English required
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to stand eight hours, lift 50 pounds, and work in freezer environment (up to 20 minutes)
• Food safety certificate and Philadelphia Food Safety Certification (or obtain within 90 days)
  Preferred:
• Experience with pastry, candy-making, and/or frozen dessert production
• Experience with ERP systems such as Wherefour, Katana, or similar software
• Knowledge of food manufacturing equipment and processes
• Experience developing SOPs and quality control systems

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Job Type: Full Time
Typical Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Salary: $70K - $80K
Benefits:

• PTO and paid holidays/holiday pay
• Health Insurance, Vision Insurance, Dental Insurance
• Predictable weekday schedule
• Employee discount
• Free ice cream

Compensation

this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $70,000.00 - $80,000.00

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline