Job Description: Sustainable Agriculture Farmer's Market Manager
Position Summary:
The Sustainable Agriculture Farmer's Market Manager is responsible for overseeing the efficient and successful operations of a sustainable agriculture farmer's market. The role involves managing vendors, coordinating market activities, ensuring compliance with regulations, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Vendor Management:
- Recruit, select, and manage vendors to ensure a diverse and high-quality range of sustainable agricultural products at the farmer's market.
- Maintain strong relationships with vendors, addressing their concerns, and ensuring adherence to market rules and regulations.
- Coordinate vendor assignments, space allocations, and market layout to optimize customer experience and sales.
2. Market Operations:
- Develop and implement market policies, guidelines, and procedures to ensure smooth operations and compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Oversee market setup, including layout, signage, and infrastructure requirements, to create an attractive and organized market environment.
- Coordinate with local authorities, community organizations, and relevant stakeholders to address any operational challenges and ensure compliance with local regulations.
3. Customer Engagement and Promotion:
- Develop and execute marketing strategies to promote the farmer's market and increase customer footfall.
- Collaborate with local community organizations, media outlets, and agricultural associations to raise awareness about sustainable farming practices and the market's offerings.
- Implement customer feedback mechanisms and continuously strive to enhance customer satisfaction and engagement.
4. Financial Management:
- Prepare and manage the market's annual budget, including vendor fees, operational expenses, and marketing activities.
- Monitor and analyze market performance metrics, such as sales data and customer feedback, to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Ensure accurate record-keeping of financial transactions and produce regular reports for management and stakeholders.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Proven experience in managing farmer's markets, agricultural cooperatives, or similar operations.
- Strong knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices and familiarity with organic certifications and regulations.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities to manage vendor relationships, oversee market operations, and coordinate promotional activities.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage with vendors, customers, and stakeholders effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Proficient computer skills, including experience with point-of-sale systems and basic financial management software.
- Understanding of marketing principles and experience in developing and implementing marketing strategies.
- Knowledge of local regulations and health and safety standards applicable to farmer's markets.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, to accommodate market operations.
Note: This job description outlines the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.