Assistant Manager — Lil Smiles Shop
Location: Holmdel, NJ
Position: Part-Time Assistant Manager
Availability: Weekdays + Fridays after school / evenings + weekends, with weekend availability required
Lil Smiles Shop is looking for a reliable, upbeat, organized Assistant Manager to help oversee the day-to-day operation of our creative studio, gift shop, and party space.
This role is perfect for someone who is confident taking charge, loves working with kids and families, has great attention to detail, and can keep things running smoothly in a fun, fast-paced environment.
What You’ll Do
Studio + Retail
- Help manage the day-to-day operations of the Lil Smiles studio and retail shop
- Open and/or close the studio when needed
- Welcome customers, answer questions, assist with purchases, and provide an amazing customer experience
- Handle checkout and basic point-of-sale transactions
- Keep the Gift Gallery, Design Studio, Workshop, and supply areas clean, organized, and stocked
- Assist with receiving, organizing, and restocking inventory
- Help prepare personalized gifts, party supplies, DIY kits, and customer orders
- Make sure orders and projects are completed accurately and on time
Parties + Events
- Take the lead on in-studio parties when needed
- Help prepare party rooms, activities, supplies, food, favors, and décor before guests arrive
- Guide children through crafts and activities while keeping parties organized, fun, and on schedule
- Supervise and direct Party Crew members during events
- Communicate confidently with parents and handle questions or minor issues during parties
- Oversee cleanup and reset the studio between events
- Assist with select mobile events when needed
Team Leadership
- Help train and support Party Crew and other studio employees
- Delegate tasks and make sure staff members know what needs to be done
- Keep the team moving during busy parties and studio hours
- Help maintain Lil Smiles standards for customer service, organization, cleanliness, and presentation
- Communicate important updates, supply needs, customer issues, or other concerns to the owner
Who We’re Looking For
Our ideal Assistant Manager is:
- Responsible, dependable, and trustworthy
- Comfortable being in charge when the owner is not present
- Extremely organized and detail-oriented
- Friendly, outgoing, and confident communicating with both adults and children
- Able to manage multiple things happening at once without getting overwhelmed
- Creative and comfortable with hands-on projects
- Willing to jump in wherever needed
- Comfortable giving direction to younger staff members
- Able to work independently and make reasonable decisions when needed
- Experienced in retail, hospitality, events, childcare, management, or customer service is a plus
Experience with crafting, personalization, Cricut machines, heat pressing, party planning, or similar creative work is a bonus, but we can train the right person.
Schedule
This is a part-time position with hours based on studio needs, parties, events, and seasonal demand.
Weekend availability is essential, particularly Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays when most of our parties and events take place. Additional weekday hours may be available for order preparation, studio operations, and special projects.
About Lil Smiles
Lil Smiles is a creative gift, party, and personalization studio in Holmdel, NJ. We specialize in personalized gifts, DIY experiences, craft parties, mobile events, candy, apparel, and all things fun and creative for kids and families.
We’re looking for someone who will treat the studio like it matters, take ownership of their role, and help us create the fun, polished experience our customers expect.
