Manager in Training

The Manager in Training (MIT) program at Gelati Celesti is a structured, hands-on pathway designed to develop the next generation of General Managers from the inside out.

This is not a shadow program. From day one, you will be working - scooping, leading shifts, learning our operations, and building the skills and relationships that will make you a great GM. You will rotate through our regional locations across Hampton Roads and Richmond, working alongside experienced General Managers who will serve as your mentors and guide your development at every stage.

Advancement through the program is based on demonstrated competency. You will work through defined training milestones, evaluated by your Retail Leader and mentor GM and when you are ready, you will be promoted into a General Manager role to lead your own Gelati Celesti location.

The right person for this role is eager, coachable, and ready to put in the work. You do not need prior management experience - but you need the mindset of someone who is serious about earning it.

What You'll Learn & Do

FLOOR OPERATIONS & GUEST EXPERIENCE

• Work every front-line role alongside your team - scooping, serving, and holding the brand standards that make Gelati Celesti great.
• Learn product knowledge inside and out: flavors, ingredients, allergens, portioning, and how to talk about what we make with genuine pride.
• Master opening and closing procedures, daily cleaning and sanitation standards, and the routines that keep a store running smoothly.

SHIFT LEADERSHIP

• Progress into running shifts - supervising team members, managing the floor, and taking accountability for the guest experience during your time on.
• Practice real-time coaching: giving feedback, redirecting behavior, and holding standards with the team in the moment.
• Learn cash handling, daily sales reporting, and end-of-day reconciliation.

STORE MANAGEMENT

• Learn the full scope of GM responsibilities alongside your mentor: hiring, onboarding, scheduling, inventory, ordering, and vendor management.
• Develop a working understanding of store financials - how to read a labor report, manage food costs, and connect daily decisions to store performance.
• Lead hiring conversations and onboard new team members with GM guidance, building the skills you will use as a GM every week.

MULTI-LOCATION EXPERIENCE

• Rotate through multiple locations across both markets to experience different store dynamics, team cultures, and operational challenges.
• Build relationships with GMs and Retail Leaders across the organization - the network you build as an MIT will serve you well as a GM.

The Mentor Partnership

Every MIT is paired with a mentor General Manager an experienced leader who is invested in your growth and will be a consistent presence throughout your program. Your mentor GM will work alongside you on the floor, give you real feedback, and help you navigate the challenges of learning to lead.

You will also have regular check-ins with your Retail Leader to track your progress, talk through what is working, and plan your next steps. You will never wonder where you stand or what is expected we will make that clear from day one and keep the conversation going throughout.

What You Bring

Required:

• A genuine desire to grow into a General Manager role this is a real commitment, and we want people who are serious about it
• Prior experience in a customer-facing role, preferably in food service, retail, or hospitality
• Strong interpersonal skills you connect with people easily, earn trust quickly, and communicate clearly
• Reliable, accountable, and self-motivated - you show up, follow through, and do not need to be micromanaged
• Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays as required by store operations
• Willingness to travel and rotate between Hampton Roads and Richmond locations throughout the program

Preferred:

• 1–2 years of experience in a shift lead, key holder, or supervisory capacity
• Background in multi-location food service or retail
• A track record of taking on more responsibility over time in previous roles

Who You Are

Hungry to grow. You are not looking for a job - you are looking for a career. You want to learn, earn responsibility, and lead your own team.

Coachable. You take feedback well, act on it, and ask good questions. You know growth comes from being open, not defensive.

A natural with people. Guests love you, teammates trust you, and managers notice you. Building relationships comes naturally.

Hardworking and reliable. You show up ready to work and hold yourself to the same standards you will eventually hold others to.

Adaptable. New store, new team, new challenge - you thrive in it. Change energizes you rather than slows you down.

What You Can Expect From Us

• A structured program with clear milestones - you will always know where you stand and what comes next
• A dedicated mentor GM who is genuinely invested in your development
• Regular check-ins with your Retail Leader to track progress and plan your path forward
• Exposure to multiple locations and leadership styles across both markets
• A defined promotion path - when you complete the program, you get the keys to your own store
• A team that wants to see you succeed and will invest the time to make it happen

Our Culture

At Gelati Celesti, culture isn't something we put on a poster it's something we practice every day. We are a team that takes pride in what we make, how we treat each other, and the experience we create for every guest who walks through our doors.

We believe the best teams are built on trust, accountability, and a genuine love for the work. As a Manager in Training, you are not just learning operations you are becoming part of a culture that expects a lot and gives a lot in return.

What you can expect from our culture:

• A team that shows up for each other - on the floor, behind the scenes, and in the hard moments
• Leaders who give real feedback, recognize great work, and invest in the people around them
• A standard of excellence that everyone holds - because the product and the guest experience deserve it
• Fun, creativity, and pride in what we do - we make ice cream and gelato, and we love it

About Gelati Celesti

Gelati Celesti is a premium handcrafted ice cream company with retail locations across Hampton Roads and Richmond, Virginia. We have been named Retailer of the Year by Retail Alliance a recognition built on the strength of our people as much as our product. We believe in growing leaders from within and investing in the people who show up for us every day.

The next General Manager of a Gelati Celesti location could be you.

Gelati Celesti is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.