Friday, April 4, 2025

Uptown Farmers Market Manager Job Description

The Uptown Farmers Market is new in 2025 and will operate seasonally June – October on Thursdays from 4pm-8pm, outside, on Seven Points property. There will be an average of 20-40 vendors on site each week including farmers, community organizations and live music. The Uptown Farmers Market is run by a volunteer board and the East Isles Neighborhood Association. Learn more about the farmers market at https://uptownmarket.org/.

We are looking for a dynamic market manager to join our team who is as passionate about Minneapolis/Uptown as we are, and has a desire to contribute to the success and growth of the local community of farmers, food producers and businesses. 

Job Description

  • This job is a part-time, seasonal position that will begin ASAP,  and continue through the end of October. We hope to hire a manager by early April. The position is initially being offered for one season and will be reviewed for renewal annually. Depending upon the success of the market, there is potential for the job to expand.

  • Hours: average 20 hours/week

  • Wage: $25-$35/hour, depending upon experience.

  • The role includes on-site operations management, building and maintaining vendor relations, managing market staff, acting as community liaison, and engaging with the Farmers Market Board.


Responsibilities

  • On-site Operations Management: 

    • Attend all markets during the market season.

    • Oversee and assist with setup and tear-down of the market. Ensure the market area is clean during market and after. Maintain and manage storage of market equipment.

    • Problem-solve and trouble-shoot as necessary during market hours.

    • Keep an eye out for potential safety hazards to customers or vendors.

    • Schedule weekly food trucks and food demos.

    • Coordinate market with manager of Lake St entertainment lot/music.

    • Implement and enforce city and state rules, regulations and Farmers Market policy as approved by the Board.

  • Vendor Relations:

    • Source vendors for markets, manage vendor application, selection, and curation process. Schedule vendors and create market maps.

    • Build and maintain vendor relationships.

    • Organize and lead the pre-season vendor meeting.

    • Provide high level of customer service to vendors, ensure vendor satisfaction

    • Oversee quality control of vendors and their products, and ensure vendors have appropriate City of Minneapolis licenses to operate at the market.

    • Collect vendor fees and ensure payments are timely and accurate. Provide a weekly report of vendor attendance, rent and fees to the Board.

  • Manage Market Staff: 

    • Work with the board to hire market staff.

    • Schedule and manage on-site market staff.

    • Work closely with staff to communicate ideas, identify potential problems, provide feedback, and offer creative solutions.

  • Community Liaison:

    • Provide a high level of customer service to customers, ensure customer satisfaction.

    • Coordinate and schedule all community and educational tabling.

    • Coordinate and schedule Farmers Market Committee and other neighborhood volunteers to assist during the market.

  • Engage with Farmers Market Board

    • Report regularly on market statistics and activities, including vendor attendance, guest attendance, and day of market merchandise sales.

    • Communicate with the Board treasurer/bookkeeper to pay bills, make purchases and manage nutrition assistance programs.

    • Implement Farmers Market policy as approved by the Farmers Market Committee and Board of Directors.


Qualifications/Experience

  • The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic, poised, outgoing, independent worker, who loves to interact with a wide variety of people. 

  • They will have experience in problem solving and be a well-organized and flexible individual.

  • Able to handle a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment, able to take initiative and make quick decisions. The position requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

  • Required: 

    • Drivers license valid in the state of Minnesota, with a clean record

    • Strong communications skills

    • Legally able to work in United States

    • Ability to work Thursday nights June through September

    • Comfortable with a high level of physical activity (lifting 20-50 pounds)

  • Desired:

    • College education

    • Agriculture or food industry knowledge and experience

    • Event management experience

    • Experience recruiting, training and supervising staff

    • Experience working with volunteers

    • Skilled at conflict resolution

    • Excel in customer service

If interested in applying for this position, please send your resume with cover letter to info@uptownmarket.org.

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