Watauga County Farmers' Market

Job Description - Market Manager

(Updated – October 7, 2019)

The market manager is a part-time, year-round position with primary responsibility

for the management, promotion, and operation of the Watauga County Farmers'

Market. This position reports to the Board of Directors for the Watauga County

Farmers’ Market. Annual Salary - $26,000.00.

Management of the Market

Manage the membership of market vendors including maintaining attendance

records, assigning spaces, collecting dues and rent, jurying crafts, managing vendor

certifications when required and ensuring vendor compliance with farmers’ market

rules.

Conduct periodic farm inspections in conjunction with the Board to ensure the

integrity of the products sold at the market.

Assist the Board and Bookkeeper in the development of the annual budget for the

membership’s consideration. Submission of invoices, check-requests, and credit card

receipts to the Bookkeeper as appropriate.

Establish a presence at the market and manage customer and vendor complaints as

well as any emergencies on market days with reports to the board when needed.

Schedule and oversee special events at the market including music, chef

demonstrations, non-profits, and children’s activities.

Communicate with vendors and customers to provide information about products and

activities of the market, which includes a weekly Newsletter during the market season.

Maintain financial records and manage all EBT / debit / token transactions as well as

overseeing the SNAP Program (WIC and Senior Program).

Assist in the hiring of an assistant manager, and hire and supervise the lead parking

lot ambassador and all parking lot ambassadors.

Responsibility for overseeing merchandise sales at the market.

Responsibility for overseeing infrastructure used by the farmers' market.

Promotion and Marketing of the Market

Develop and implement a marketing plan annually. The plan will include an

identification of customer needs, advertising strategies including social media, and

community outreach. Statistics of weekly customer attendance will be maintained

along with customer surveys and other informal research to aide in the marketing

plan.

Manage the farmers’ market website through informational updates, software

upgrades, maintaining backups and arranging for hosting and domain renewals. All

email inquiries will be handled by the market manager in a timely manner.

Manage the market’s social media accounts as defined by the Board. During the

season post once per day to social media and multiple times on Saturday during the

market. In the off season post to social media once per week. Any photographs taken

by the manager and posted to social media are the property of the market.

Other duties

Coordinate and attend scheduled monthly board meetings, any special meetings

necessary, and an annual meeting of the membership by scheduling and arranging

the meetings, and preparing Agenda and support materials under the direction of the

President.

Assist the Board with submission of grants.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree is preferred with 2 years of experience. Education and experience

may be substituted for a degree. Must be able to communicate verbally and in

writing, possess excellent interpersonal skills, working knowledge of Microsoft office

and webpage management, experience in public speaking, able to lift 50 pounds on a

regular basis and walk the market grounds. Must also possess a valid North Carolina

driver’s license and have an insured, registered vehicle.

Application Process

To apply, email a résumé, a cover letter describing the reasons you are interested in

the market manager position, and contact information for three work references to:

wataugacountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com. The application deadline is November 8,

2019. Start date is January 1, 2019.