Market Manager In Training

Who We Are: Mass Farmers Markets (MFM) partners with farmers, consumers, and communities to improve the health of individuals, strengthen community vitality, and enhance local farm viability through farmers markets. We are a 501(c)(3) organization.

As part of our work, MFM produces farmers markets in the Greater Boston area from May to November.These markets include: the Central Square Farmers Market every Monday (12-6 PM); the Kendall Square Farmers Market every Thursday (12-6pm), the Copley Square Farmers Market runs every Tuesday and Friday (11AM-6 PM); and the Davis Square Farmers Market runs every Wednesday (12-6 PM).

Who You Are: The Market Manager in Training/Food Access Coordinator serves as a positive, energetic face of the Farmers Market. You are an individual who is passionate about building community, the food we eat, and where it comes from; you will also have the opportunity to inject your ideas and creativity into building, growing and managing the markets. You are aware that, even though we are a non-profit entity, our farmers markets are businesses which must turn a profit that contributes to the overall fiscal health of the organization. You recognize the need to balance the food access part of our mission with the entrepreneurial spirit needed to operate a financially successful farmers market.

You are interested, and ideally knowledgeable, about programs aimed at increasing access to local foods such as SNAP, SNAP Match, and HIP. You are familiar with general farmers market operations and will assist the Market Manager in supporting our vendors, consumers, and partner organizations. You will supply information, answer questions, and address concerns. You are comfortable with social media and will assist in promoting the market via those channels.

As Market Manager in training, you will frequently be the onsite Market Manager for different MFM farmers markets. In this role, you will act as the liaison with and between all parties served by the market - the vendors, shoppers, and the surrounding communities and cities around them. The Market Manager is required to be present for the set-up, operation, and teardown of the market. The Market Manager must also be available to support vendors and consumers, supply information, answer questions, address concerns and engaging all stakeholders in the market, daily. You are not supposed to be sitting in the Market Manager tent/booth waiting for someone to find you. You must be an engaging and visual presence in the market for the duration of the market day. Additionally, the manager is responsible for promoting the markets and managing resources. You will also have the opportunity to participate in Farm visits to our vendors farms.

As an EBT Coordinator, you will be the onsite EBT coordinator at 2 of MFMs Farmers Markets. At these markets, you will administer local token currency and process transactions for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/EBT benefits along with SNAP Match and HIP, including the maintenance of daily records and market reports. You will assist the market manager of these markets in market management and promotion.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Market Operations Management

The Market Manager is responsible for maintaining a safe, healthy, and vibrant marketplace

• Coordinate and oversee day-to-day operations at your farmers market in accordance with market policy. This includes, but is not limited to: the logistics of setup and breakdown; the management of onsite staff and/or volunteers; interfacing with host cities, the public and vendors; and the collection, control and documentation of fees.
• Assure the market is operated in a timely and efficient manner and that sales occur only within the specified market hours. Enforce regular hours of operation and enforce vendor attendance unless an emergency occurs that requires the vendor to leave early.
• Responsible for SNAP/HIP customer info and processing of SNAP / SNAP Match tokens at the markets. Documents and reports all SNAP and SNAP Match transactions during market season. Oversees any of this work that may be delegated to other market staff, such as an EBT coordinator, as applicable.
• Manages conflict between vendors and / or customers in a respectful, fair and confidential manner.

SNAP/EBT Food Access Program

Administer local token currency and process transactions for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/EBT benefits along with SNAP Match and HIP, including the maintenance of

daily records and market reports.

• Follow all USDA rules, regulations, and guidance for SNAP retailers.
• Ensure that vendors understand and comply with program eligible-food rules.
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with customers to explain food access programs such as SNAP, SNAP Match, and HIP.
• Maintains all EBT equipment in good working order and notifies the Lead Market Manager immediately if any damage or problems occur.
• Safeguard tokens the same as cash and is responsible to account for tokens throughout the season.

Vendor Management & Relations

• Monitor vendor operations and ensure compliance to market rules and agreements, as well as city health inspection standards and state regulations. Monitors quality of vendor products and presentation.
• Develop and manage positive relationships with vendors, ensuring timely communications and resolution of issues or problems.
• Provide orientation and training to new vendors and offers ongoing coaching to help ensure vendors’ success.
• Ensure accuracy of vendor information in our vendor database and communication tool(s) to ensure smooth lines of communication with vendors.

Market Promotion

• Interacts with the public at the markets. Monitor and ensure markets’ attractiveness and appeal.
• Report to the MFM team on market conditions. Continually evaluate the market's strengths and weaknesses. In collaboration with Market team, tracks overall sales, monitors for potential improvements in daily logistics, outreach efforts, and product selection.
• Works with Market team to develop and implement strategies to enhance market quality, increase total sales, and promote both the market and MFM in a positive, professional manner.
• Collaborate with Market team to promote the market in the community and online via social media, website, email newsletters and other marketing channels.
• Collaborate with the Market team to develop and facilitate special event programming at the markets, including event signage, promotion and staffing.

Additional Responsibilities

• Regularly and consistently communicate with the MFM team to ensure smooth and

consistent operations at the markets.

• Attends MFM general team meetings to maintain a connection with the entire MFM team.
• Participate in Fundraising Events and Activities in support of the organization and markets(s); specific requirements include two shifts per week at The BIG E in Springfield, Massachusetts during September.
• Expands & coordinates Food Access Programs
• Attends community, governmental and food access meetings for the community served by the market.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and passion for farmers markets and growing the local food community.
• Personal confidence and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of people.
• Experience managing staff, volunteers and/ or vendors.
• Must have a strong work ethic, be punctual, be customer service focused, reliable, enthusiastic and a team player.
• Good problem solving and organizational skills along with strong time management skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks at once.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with diverse groups, developing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders including farmers, community members, sponsors, local media, the general public and staff.
• Experience in developing and facilitating event programming.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Must have access to reliable private transportation and possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to work non-standard hours as required, based on market hours during the market season and administrative needs.
• Proficient with cloud office suite such as Google Workspace, and comfortable learning new tools and technologies as needed in this role.
• Working knowledge of budgeting and managing resources within budgetary constraints.
• ServSafe Manager certified or the ability to become certified in a timely manner.
• Proficient with cloud office suite such as Google Workspace, and comfortable learning new tools and technologies as needed in this role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior farmers market experience.
• Comfortable with social media posting for sharing market updates and special events during the market season.
• Marketing, promotion and graphic design skills are helpful. Basic website editing skills are a plus.
• While there are no specific language requirements, knowledge of and some fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin or Cantonese is beneficial.

Hours & Work Schedule: Monday - Friday or potentially Tuesday through Saturday depending on market schedule

• Off-season (December - April): Some flexibility in days and times as long as full-time status is maintained
• During market season (May - November): A minimum of three days per week onsite at an MFM-managed farmers market. Must be available the other 2 workdays to support the administrative function of this role.
• May also be called upon on administrative work days to fill in for planned or unplanned absences at the farmers market.