Overview:
The Market Manager is the public face of the Umpqua Valley Farmers’ Market (UVFM) and is primarily responsible for its day-to-day operation. As Market Manager, you set the tone for the market and are a consistent, welcoming presence for vendors, customers, and the community. In addition to your on-site presence during market hours, you hold responsibility for ensuring smooth and efficient market operations, adherence to safety guidelines as outlined in the Member Handbook, and making decisions in alignment with and based on the UVFM by-laws and Member Handbook. You will work alongside and collaborate with the Market Assistant. The Market Manager will report to and be directed by the Board of Directors.
What You’ll Do:
Be the on-site leader on market days.
- You’ll be the go-to on Saturdays, setting the tone for a welcoming and positive market, and ensuring vendors and customers have what they need for an organized, efficient, safe market for all. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Directing the set-up and break-down of the market for vendors, in adherence with our outlined procedures.
- Collaborate on events and activities with the Market Assistant.
- Engaging with customers to make them feel welcome, answering questions, and ensuring strong market culture.
Ensure an efficient and organized market through administrative duties.
- You understand that a well-run market prioritizes adherence to safety guidelines, tight fiscal management, local, state, and federal policies, and effective use of resources to operate and grow. You’ll work alongside the Board or supervisor to ensure our market is strong and healthy. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Maintaining ongoing financial reports, vendor records, applications, permits, licenses, and ODA inspection documents as required by law. Attending and participating in monthly UVFM Board meetings, submitting the monthly Market Manager Report on current issues and projects and providing perspective on relevant topics.
- Maintaining an annual UVFM calendar which includes monitoring renewal of various licenses, permits, and meeting state required deadlines including liability insurance.
- Renewing applications w/ WIC, SNAP, DUFB Program and City of Roseburg on an annual basis.
- Assist on grants and funding opportunities to ensure a more sustainable market.
- Maintain organizational documents and banking
Communicate with vendors, customers and the community on behalf of the market. You are the “person behind the market.” When folks reach out with inquiries, ideas, media requests, you’re the go-to. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Responding to inquiries, whether from community members, prospective vendors, food inspectors, and more.
- Educating vendors about market guidelines and policies and ensuring a diverse, inclusive, and equitable vendor list.
- Sharing information about the market, events, and news via media outlets.
- Maintaining website and vendor portal updates.
Who You Are & How You’ll Operate:
In addition to sharing a deep commitment to the market’s mission, conviction about its impact, and belief in its future potential, you might be a great Market Manager if you are:
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- An excellent relationship builder and culture builder: You make people feel welcome, you build rapport and connection easily with new and regular customers as well as vendors. You are approachable and love to interact with diverse groups of people.
- An independent worker: You are self-driven, organized, can manage multiple priorities independently, and move projects forward with minimal oversight or supervision. You make sound decisions, seek help when necessary, and get things done.
- A strong communicator: You communicate clearly – and with comfort – both verbally and in writing and with diverse audiences. Much of your work centers on working with others, whether to help explain policies or guidelines, or to help navigate challenges.
- A flexible do-er: You thrive in fast-paced environments and move adeptly from one thing to another. You stay focused on the big picture while attending to the details. You take pride in your ability to get things done.
When You’ll Work:
The UVFM operates year-around, and it is expected that that Manager will be a consistent face each Saturday when the market is open. On market days, the Manager will be present from approximately 6 A.M. through the close-up of the market, approximately 3:00 P.M.
In addition to the hours spent in-person on Saturdays, the Manager will be responsible for completing administrative responsibilities that help ensure the market’s success. The Manager will work ~30 hours/week on average, in order to fulfill all of the outlined responsibilities above.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Interest or experience in local agriculture, food, community, and/or local economies.
- Administrative experience including reconciliation of finances and accurate record keeping/reporting.
- Management of staff and volunteers.
- Proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft Word and Excel spreadsheets, and data entry.
- Internet Savvy and understanding of Google and social media including Facebook and Instagram.
- Knowledge about regulations pertaining to Farmers’ Markets is preferred, including Oregon Department of Agriculture and county health departments.
- Must not be a vendor of the UVFM at time of hire.
- Experience working at a farmers’ market as a vendor or staff preferred
- Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. and stand for long periods of time
- Willingness to work in the elements, year-round (heat, rain, cold, temperatures, etc.).
