AIM has an exciting opportunity for a Farmers Market Manager to join our team! The ideal candidate will have sincere interest in our local food system, and experience in managing farmers markets or outdoor events. Seven of AIM’s farmers markets occur on Saturdays and Sundays, and this position requires working at least one weekend day every week. The person hired for this position will be responsible for the management of the Hayward Farmers Market which operates Saturdays, year round, rain or shine, from 9am-1pm. The Market Manager is responsible for all aspects of the weekly farmers market they manage, including scheduling and placement of market participants, preparation of the site, setting up and breaking down the market, providing excellent customer service, enforcing rules and regulations, ensuring safety, fee collection, and maintaining excellent relations with market participants, customers, local governmental/sponsoring entities, and the local community. Market Managers are assigned value added responsibilities in addition to market management to support organizational operations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Recruits, schedules, and organizes Market Participants and prepares site prior to market
Secures site, sets up and breaks down the market, including AIM market equipment, signage, information booth, restrooms, entertainment, café area(s) and waste/recycling/compost management
Trains and supervises AIM Assistant Managers and volunteers
Is responsible for financial activity at the market, including managing Market Participant payments, managing CalFresh/EBT transactions and ATM transactions
Recruits new Market Participants into the market
Maintains excellent relations with Market Participants, customers, staff, and local governmental/community organizations
Ensures compliance at the markets with AIM, County and State rules and regulations
Plans and manages weekly market map, onboards new market participants, and maintain market participant records
Maintains market integrity by completing weekly stall audits of farmers to review certifications and products for sales
Other duties as assigned, which may include community outreach, special events at the market, merchandise management, zero waste initiatives, artisan and entertainer bookings, grant projects, etc.
Contributes to covering additional markets as needed.
BACKGROUND
The Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves 400+ farmers, food purveyors, and artisans from over 40 California counties who participate in AIM’s nine certified farmers markets in Hayward, Newark, Oakland, Point Reyes, San Rafael, and San Francisco. AIM provides hands-on agricultural education programs to thousands of children and adults, operates a farm audit program, runs a mobile market for older adults and underserved communities, organizes a beginning farmers market incubator program, and operates CalFresh/EBT and Market Match services to create a healthier, equitable food system across the San Francisco Bay Area. AIM is engaged in state and local food policy work to make sure our actions benefit the land, the people who grow our food, and the health of all communities.
Diversity & Inclusion:
AIM embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
Benefits: Health insurance, paid sick leave, 2 – 4 weeks paid vacation (depending on length of service), 12 paid holidays, alternating 5-day/4-day work weeks, employee assistance program, 401k with a 2% match, professional training opportunities, dog-friendly office, fun and dynamic team environment.
Requirements:
QUALIFICATIONS
Three years of experience in related programs, such as regular events, music or art festivals, or education programs
Must be 21 years of age or older, must have valid CA driver’s license and clean driving record
Excellent communication, problem solving and organizational skills
Ability to maintain calm and handle emergencies that may arise
Excellent conflict resolution and de-escalation skills
Can think on their feet, take care of multiple tasks in a busy environment
Outgoing, positive personality with a sense of humor
Energetic, physically fit, active person
Excellent punctuality and attendance
CPR/First Aid certification
Ability to work weekends, early mornings, and long hours on market days
HIGHLY PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bilingual Spanish or Chinese Speaking
General understanding and/or sincere interest in food, nutrition and farming
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS
This position requires regularly lifting 50+ lbs, when setting up and breaking down the market, primarily when:
Unloading and loading of market equipment from/to the truck (tables, chairs, canopy, canopy weights, Portable ATM machine, cones, barricades, A-frames, market signs) for customer service information booth/café areas
Setting up and breaking down market equipment at information booth and in café areas
Disposing of garbage, compost, and recycling
Ability to maintain clean and sanitary conditions, in a busy environment
Sitting, walking, standing, twisting and bending for extended periods of time
SPECIFIC FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Market Manager is responsible for ensuring a vibrant, economically viable and thriving market, that successfully fulfills AIM’s mission. As such, the Market Manager:
Creates and updates weekly market map of scheduled vendors and vendor spaces prior to the market. Reviews with Senior Market Manager.
Creates and completes an attendance sheet for each market, noting vendor and stall spaces occupied at each market.
Implements consistently AIM’s vendor scheduling, cancellation and stall fee payment policies and communicates these policies clearly to vendors.
Sets up, stocks and breaks down ATM(s) at market.
Ensures that all financial transactions (stall fee payment, ATM, EBT, merchandise) conducted at the market are accomplished according to AIM’s policies and procedures. Note: EBT transactions/processing of coins, takes 2-3 hours per week.
Assists in stall fee collection for vendors whose accounts are past due at the direction of the COO.
COMPENSATION CATEGORY
This position is exempt due to the managerial nature of this position, including the direct supervision of one or more Assistants.
AIM EMPLOYEE EXPECTATIONS:
Adhere to all AIM Health and Safety policies and procedures, as well as those related to the rules and regulations as they pertain to our customers and vendors.
Administer duties as defined by the AIM performance review plan within the required deadlines.
Attend required meetings and trainings as assigned.
Follow all administrative organizational policies and procedures.
Must maintain strict confidentiality related to vendors, staff, Board and other AIM information.