Hiring: Farmers’ Market Manager – Grow Food Northampton
Job Type and Schedule: Part-time and seasonal, February through early December.
Approximately 15 hours per week.
Compensation and Benefits: $18.00 per hour
To apply: Please email a resume and cover letter to michael@growfoodnorthampton.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
About Grow Food Northampton: Grow Food Northampton builds a community that supports its farms and farmers and makes local food accessible to all. Grow Food Northampton owns a 120-acre community farm that leases land to four different farmers practicing sustainable agriculture; manages a vibrant 310-plot organic community garden; grows over 8,000 pounds of produce annually that is donated to people in need; operates a thriving downtown farmers’ market; educates over 1,200 students about local food on the farm and in the classroom annually; and manages food access initiatives that invite people of all incomes into the local food movement. Founded in 2010, Grow Food Northampton serves the city of Northampton and nearby communities with four full-time
and four part-time staff members, Terracorps service members, and volunteers.
About Tuesday Market: Tuesday Market is a community-based farmers market in downtown Northampton, managed by Grow Food Northampton. The market operates from 1:30-6:30 pm every Tuesday between mid-April and mid-November. This year, due to the pandemic, Grow Food Northampton is also operating a monthly Winter Market.
Position Description: The Market Manager is responsible for all operations and the overall success, organizational mission fit, and community representation of Tuesday Market. The job requires personal confidence and the ability to effectively communicate with a variety of people, including customers, vendors, and municipal employees. The Market Manager’s general responsibilities include: running the Tuesday Market on a weekly basis, fostering community support for the market, helping promote the market and GFN, keeping accurate weekly records of market activities, and maintaining positive customer and vendor relations. Successful managers understand both the vendors’ and the shoppers’ needs and design and implement strategies to meet their needs. The manager is required to be on-site at market and available to vendors and shoppers for the entire market day. A Market Assistant will assist the Market Manager with on-site tasks the day of the market each week.
Responsibilities
Market Management
● Develop and maintain good working relationships with vendors, shoppers, relevant
municipal staff, community members, and partner organizations.
● Update and prepare vendor applications and contracts; track insurance and
communicate with potential vendors.
● Assist vendors, community representatives, and shoppers by providing market-related
information, enforcing market rules, and providing conflict resolution.
● Consider input from vendors, customers, neighbors, and other stakeholders; respond to
requests and complaints or escalate to supervisor as dictated by good judgment.
● Schedule guests to the market: musicians, entertainers, nonprofit organizations, etc.
● Seek new vendors as space becomes available, with consideration to the balance of
types of vendors and products offered.
● Participate as a member of Grow Food Northampton staff, attending staff meetings and
helping to make and implement organizational decisions as needed.
● Manage administrative duties including token reimbursements and invoices.
● Assist in hiring and supervise a Market Assistant; supervise volunteers, as needed.
● Plan and organize special events to maintain and enhance the vibrancy of the market.
● Provide a fluid response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related changes to the
market including working with the Northampton Health Dept. and on-site changes to the
market for the safety of vendors and customers.
Education & Outreach
● Work with other Grow Food Northampton staff and volunteers to promote the market and
to promote other Grow Food Northampton efforts at the market.
● Create promotional materials and coordinate displaying them throughout the community.
● Read and respond to all market email and phone communication.
● Update the market website and/or coordinate updates with staff.
● Create and post content on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and other forms of online outreach including Newsletter contributions.
Qualifications
● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, sound judgment, and professionalism
● Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and diverse groups of people
● Patience, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude
● Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail
● Demonstrated commitment to working in the community and enthusiasm for local food.
● Familiarity and experience with local farms, farmers markets, and Tuesday Market.
● Experience in event planning.
Grow Food Northampton is an equal opportunity provider and employer. People of all races, colors, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, national origins, and ability, are encouraged to apply. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
