What are the responsibilities and job description for the Farmers Market Manager position at North Union Farmers Market?
Position Summary
The Market Manager is responsible for the full on-site execution, compliance, and customer experience of an assigned North Union Farmers Market location. This role serves as the organization’s official representative at market, ensuring vendor compliance, SNAP/incentive program integrity, financial accountability, safety standards, and alignment with North Union’s mission. The Market Manager acts as the primary liaison between vendors, customers, partners, and NUFM leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Market Preparation
- Meet with the Director of Market Operations and Marketing Manager leading up to the market season to discuss market schedule, market vendors, market programing and marketing strategy
- Contact all vendors at least 48 hours prior to market date
- Pack van with supplies for the market and arrive 2 hours before opening
- Set up information tent, tables, trash cans, signage, tokens
- Greet and direct vendors and musicians
Site Operations
- Arrive two hours before opening to oversee setup and vendor load-in
- Ensure proper market layout, traffic closure, signage, and emergency access
- Set up information tent, SNAP equipment, waste stations, and program materials
- Supervise orderly load-out and restore site at closing
Vendor Management & Compliance
- Take attendance, collect fees (if applicable), and document absences
- Orient new vendors and ensure adherence to market rules
- Address and document policy violations or disputes
Financial & Program Administration
- Manage cashbox, token inventory, and receipt documentation
- Process SNAP/EBT, Produce Perks and SFMNP transactions accurately
- Reconcile and report all financial activity per NUFM procedures
Customer Experience & Reporting
- Serve as primary on-site NUFM representative
- Assist customers with questions
- Conduct attendance counts and capture photos for MarCom
- Document incidents and submit post-market summary to Director of Market Operations
- Ensure the area is closed to car traffic
- Greet customers and provide information as needed
- Provide a tour for new vendors and train them in set-up routine
- Take vendor attendance and collect fees
- Perform market attendance counts
- Monitor information tent, provide customer relations, maintain cashbox with receipts of income
- Take pictures of season products, new vendors or crowded markets and send to MarCom Staff
- Help Ohio Direction Card customers redeem tokens and educate them on Produce Perks
- Supervise closing of market: equipment is stored, the area is clean, and leave after all vendors have left
Other Responsibilities
- Support vendor recruitment and outreach efforts as requested
- Assist with data collection and reporting for grants and organizational needs
- Represent North Union Farmers Market professionally in all community interactions
- Train and supervise assistant market managers and volunteers
- Support grassroots marketing efforts, including distribution of promotional materials
- Assist with North Union fundraisers, events, and seasonal mailings as needed
- Ensure ongoing compliance with market rules and organizational policies
- Serve as an advocate for local food systems and the North Union Farmers Market mission
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required:
- Prior experience in event management, retail, hospitality, or farmers markets
- Cash handling and reconciliation experience
- Strong conflict resolution skills
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Reliable transportation
- Availability for full season commitment
Preferred:
- Experience with SNAP/EBT systems
- Knowledge of local food systems
- Supervisory or team leadership experience
- Experience working with diverse communities
Key Competencies
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Comfortable working outdoors in varied weather conditions
- Customer-service oriented and community-focused
- Able to manage multiple priorities independently
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
Equal Opportunity Statement
North Union Farmers Market is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Salary : $20