Market Manager

Poulsbo Farmers Market

MARKET MANAGER

Position Type: Part-time.

Schedule: During the market season (Opening Day through mid December), hours include 9 to 10 hours onsite on Saturdays (market day) plus an additional 9 to 10 hours remotely during the week; During the “off season” (January to March, hours vary from 5 to 10 hours per week.

Reports To: PFM Board of DirectorsCompensation: hourly wage: $23/hr during training period and then $24 -25/hr, DOE

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume with a one-page cover letter to board. Please put “MARKET MANAGER POSITION” in the subject line. Your cover letter should detail your qualifications and interest in the position, highlighting relevant experience in managing operations, leading staff and/or volunteers, developing relationships, and working in and alongside diverse communities as well as any other skills and experiences that you would bring to this role.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Poulsbo Farmers Market (PFM) is a vibrant community farmers market with a rich 22-year history that supports local farmers and businesses and provides community access to healthy foods, locally made products, and educational opportunities.

The Market Manager is outgoing, organized, forward-thinking, and passionate about local sustainable agriculture.They are responsible for the successful planning, operation, and ongoing development of the market. The Market Manager serves as the primary on-site representative of the market and is good at creating a welcoming, safe, organized, and vibrant experience for vendors, shoppers, staff, volunteers, and community partners.

Working closely with the board and other staff, the Market Manager oversees day-to-day market operations; develops strong vendor and community relationships; coordinates staff and volunteers; ensures compliance with applicable requirements and regulations; manages market-related financial and administrative processes; and supports marketing, outreach, food access, and special events.

The position requires working Saturdays at the farmers market location specified by the PFM Board of Directors, which is outdoors and involves all weather conditions. The PFM does not have a centralized office location; therefore, the Market Manager must be able to work from another location on record-keeping, correspondence, planning, and other PFM activities.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIESMarket Operations & Site Management

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee all aspects of market operations before, during, and after each market day: including schedules, site maps, vendor arrival, setup, market opening, daily operations, and teardown.
• Ensure market sites are safe, clean, organized, accessible, and welcoming throughout market day.
• Coordinate signage, equipment, supplies, site logistics, and other operational needs.
• Respond quickly and calmly to changing conditions, operational challenges, emergencies, complaints, and other issues that arise.
• Identify operational improvements and recommend changes that strengthen the market experience and efficiency.

Vendor Recruitment & Relations

• Recruit farmers, food producers, artisans, and other appropriate vendors to maintain a strong and diverse market.
• Coordinate vendor applications, selection, onboarding, orientation, scheduling, stall assignments, and communications.
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with vendors while balancing individual vendor needs with overall market goals and policies.
• Monitor vendor compliance with market rules and applicable regulations.
• Address vendor concerns, conflicts, and policy violations with fairness, diplomacy, and appropriate boundaries.
• Protect confidential business information, including vendor sales and other sensitive market information.

Staff & Volunteer Leadership

• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and support market staff, interns, contractors, and volunteers as assigned.
• Develop clear expectations and procedures for market day staff and volunteers.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively and foster a positive, respectful, and collaborative working environment.
• Provide timely feedback, coaching, and support to staff and volunteers.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure market operations comply with applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, permits, health requirements, and organizational policies.
• Ensure vendors maintain required permits, licenses, insurance, certifications, and other documentation as applicable.
• Enforce market standards and maintain a safe environment for vendors, staff, volunteers, and shoppers.
• Respond appropriately to accidents, emergencies, safety concerns, and customer or vendor complaints.
• Communicate significant safety, compliance, or operational concerns to organizational leadership in a timely manner.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Oversee market-related fee collection and payment processes, ensuring transactions are handled accurately and securely.
• Maintain accurate financial records, vendor information, policies, etc.
• Track market statistics, customer counts, vendor sales information, and other performance data. Prepare regular reports to the Board.
• Assist with budgeting and monitor market expenses within approved budgets.
• Purchase market equipment, supplies, and other materials as authorized.
• Support grant reporting, sponsorship administration, fundraising activities, and other administrative projects as assigned.

Community Engagement & Programming

• Support marketing, communications, and community outreach efforts that increase shopper attendance, strengthen vendor sales, and build awareness of the market, including social media, email, website, print, and community partnerships as appropriate.
• Plan and coordinate special events, demonstrations, educational programs, festivals, and other activities held in conjunction with the market.

Food Access & Community Impact

• Support and administer market-based food access programs such as SNAP/EBT, WIC, senior programs, Market Bucks, tokens, or other applicable initiatives.
• Ensure accurate records and reporting for food-access programs and help vendors understand applicable requirements.
• Promote awareness of food-access resources among shoppers and community members.
• Support organizational efforts to improve food access, community health, economic opportunity, and connections between consumers and local producers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Demonstrated experience in market or event management, program coordination, operations, community engagement, customer service, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating people, projects, schedules, or events.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Work independently, proactively, and with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Build productive relationships with vendors, staff, volunteers, customers, community members, and organizational partners.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, solve problems, resolve conflicts, and remain calm under pressure.
• Manage multiple priorities and changing circumstances in a fast-paced environment.
• Responsibly handle money, perform basic arithmetic, and maintain accurate records.
• Proficiency with standard office and computer applications, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, Zoom, and other relevant digital tools.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to perform the physical duties required for market operations (including: standing, walking, bending, reaching, squatting, lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying, pushing, and pulling) safely and repeatedly, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Availability to work regular market days (Saturdays), including weekends, and occasional evenings or holidays as required.
• Familiarity with Poulsbo and Kitsap County
• Be a licensed driver in the State of Washington with a safe driving record.

Preferred

• Experience managing a farmers market or other recurring public market.
• Knowledge of Washington agriculture, farmers markets, local food systems, or small agricultural businesses.
• Experience with vendor recruitment, selection, onboarding, or management.
• Experience supervising employees, interns, contractors, or volunteers.
• Understanding of food-access programs such as SNAP/EBT or WIC.
• Experience with point-of-sale systems, QuickBooks, market-management software, or similar administrative systems.
• Experience with community outreach, marketing, social media, public relations, or fundraising.
• Experience working with diverse communities and organizations.
• First Aid/CPR certification.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, qualifications, or working conditions. Responsibilities may change as organizational needs, market operations, regulations, and community priorities evolve.

The organization is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful workplace and welcomes qualified applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

PFM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications for posted

positions from qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Pay: $24.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 5.0 – 20.0 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person