Market Manager

Job Description -Market Manager

Position Overview

The role of the Market Manager consists of three time frames: Pre-Season, In-Season and

Post-Season. The hours are approximately 8-25 per week, depending on the season and

the events happening throughout each season.

Pre-Season (some of the items continue throughout the market season)

1. Develop advertising and events/promotions calendar

• Media campaign

• Social media

• Promotional materials - signs (inspect for wear/tear), banners, brochures

• Website updates (inform web master as required)

• Special events: i.e., entertainment, community events

2. Work with market board/committee on market systems (review, update, and create)

to promote sustainability for the market

• Rules and regulations

• Strategic planning for the market

• Board/committee development

• Marketing and promotions plan—long term

• Emergency preparedness plan (review and update as needed)

3. Develop market operations for upcoming year

• Opening and closing dates for upcoming year

• Secure permits (where required)

• Secure market liability insurance (renewal with FMO)

• Review market site for improvements to layout and design—increase efficient

flow of customer traffic, create a safe environment, increase visibility of market

4. Recruit farmer / growers, food vendors, artisans and not for profit vendors

• Assess market needs for missing or inadequate supply of product

• Develop recruitment strategy and materials

• Execute recruitment strategy

• Hold pre-season vendor meetings to communicate all of the above

5. Establish budget and secure funding sources; includes setting booth fees

• Fundraising events

• Donations

• Sponsorships

• Grants

6. Develop community relationships

• Get involved with community organizations on the market’s behalf

• Give speeches/presentations/interviews that promote the market

In Season – On-going

1. Enroll market vendors in the market through vendor market applications; ensure

that all necessary insurance certificates and licenses are current and on file.

2. Maintain database of all vendors, contact information, and all other pertinent

information

3. Coordinate volunteers

• Scheduling

• Training

4. Resolve any disputes that arise

• Between vendors and consumers

• Between vendors

• Between vendors and management

• Between market and community —local government, local business community

5. Maintain market grounds in a safe manner for consumers and vendors

6. Act as liaison between vendors and market board/committee for free flow of

information in both directions to create transparency

7. Conduct farm inspections as needed under rules and regulation of the market

8. Bookkeeping

9. On-site marketing communications

• Social media updates and responses

• Email inquiries

• Phone calls

Post-Season

1. Evaluate the market season—what went right, what could be improved upon

• Advertising campaign

• Event evaluation —what added to sales, what took away, what drew more

customers

2. Hold post-season vendor meetings

• Market vendor time to offer ideas, vent issues, come together to socialize and

celebrate the end of the season

3. Pursue professional development

4. Attend conferences, workshops to further your management skills and improve

market for farmers, customers, and community

5. Organize maintenance and repairs on market grounds, equipment, supplies

Daily Responsibilities In-Season Description

Pre-market Time

1. Market set up

• Set out street closure barriers, pedestrian/ traffic barricades

• Place all market signage

2. Prepare the Market booth

• Stock nutrition / education materials

• Display events happening around The County (where requested)

• Market Survey QR Code

• Market bags

• Donation Box

3. Prepare for the day’s special event/music

• Set up event tent and equipment

• Coordinate volunteers

• Put out signage

4. Vendor coordination

• Assign vendor booths

• Line up daily vendors

• Contact any on-call vendors

5. Social Media

• Vendor Spotlight

• Events

• Market Updates

During the Market Day

1. Operate market booth for consumer questions and concerns

2. Ensure all market rules are adhered to

3. Ensure all state and county regulations are adhered to

4. Conduct periodic customers counts

End of the Market Day

1. Ensure market grounds are clean after all vendors leave for the day

2. Send out email re market survey to all vendors in attendance

3. Take down and store market tent, tables, materials

Skills and Qualities Description

Personal Skills

1. Passion. How do you stay connected to your market throughout the year? What

cause are you passionate about to keep you engaged? Agriculture, building

community, nutrition, etc.

2. Problem solver. You are the go between for many groups, and the face of the

market.

3. Creative thinker. How will your market achieve all its goals while staying on budget?

How will you continue to draw customers?

4. Self motivated. Most market managers are not given clear instructions by their

boards or market committees. You must learn the job while on the job without

regular supervision.

Job Skills

Organizational Skills

1. You must be able to multitask and juggle multiple projects at once.

• Record keeping

• Promotions and special events

• Managing finances

• Staying in communication with your board, vendors, and customers

Communication Skills

1. Market managers must communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences in a

diplomatic way

• Rules and policies must be made clear in an equitable, diplomatic way

• Ensure that the market follows standard risk management practices, is

consumer friendly, and is fair and equitable to all its farmers and vendors.

• Communicate with customers in the marketplace to handle complaints,

compliments, disputes

• Promote the market and its programs to match the intended audience

• Communicate the market’s needs and benefits to leaders, funders and sponsors

2. Marketing Skills

• Advertise to build market customer base and build sales for vendors

• Recruit vendors to increase diversity of products sold

3. Financial Skills

• Budgeting and financial record keeping

• Fundraising

• Grant writing

SUBMIT YOUR RESUME:

info@pictonfarmersmarket.ca