The Market Manager will report directly to the Ashe County Farmers Market (ACFM) Board of Directors and serve as a liaison between the Board, vendors, and customers. The Market Manager position will average 20 hours per week. He/she will troubleshoot any problems that occur while the Market is open and report them to the Board. He/she will be responsible for enforcing all Market policies and guidelines at all times. The Market Manager must have good computer skills, a great personality, and strong communication skills. Additionally, the Market Manager will perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
This position requires excellent communication and computer skills, attention to detail, and the ability to use email, Excel, and Microsoft Word. Experience with WordPress and Publisher or a similar program used for creating event flyers, market posters, and announcements is preferred.
Strong social media skills are required and important for building and maintaining an active Market presence on Facebook and Instagram, as well as keeping the Market website up to date.
The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with vendors, customers, and community organizations.
Primary Duties
- Open the Market each Saturday at 6:30 AM and begin closing the market at 1pm during the Market season. This includes unlocking and preparing the facility, placing signage, and assisting vendors as necessary.
- Open the market during the Holiday Markets at 8:30am. This also includes unlocking and preparing the facility, placing signage, and assisting vendors as necessary.
- Work with vendors weekly to track open shelter spots, assign grassy space vendors, and update the market map each Friday for space assignments.
- Place cones outside the Market each Friday evening for the West Jefferson Police Department to manage parking spaces.
- Ensure cold beverages are stocked and iced down for patrons before the Market opens.
- Collect and receipt all market fees, including daily vendor fees, donations, and sales from T-shirts, etc.
- Maintain the facility, including cleaning, sweeping shelter spaces, organizing the storage room, tidying the manager’s office, and cleaning restrooms weekly.
- Purchase necessary supplies (cleaning, bathroom, hot dog, etc.) throughout the year.
- Maintain market vendor and seniority lists.
- Manage and provide vendor training for compliance with the SNAP/EBT and WIC/Senior FMNP programs.
- Represent the Market in community meetings such as the Christmas in July Committee, West Jefferson Community Partnership, WJ Alderman meetings, and Ashe County Commissioner meetings as needed.
- Plan and coordinate special market events.
- Assist the Market President with Board meeting preparations.
- Schedule and coordinate the annual Craft Jurying process in March, including date, time, judges, and meeting arrangements
- Write media releases and coordinate advertising placement with Board approval, staying within budget constraints.
Market Hours
The Market is open every Saturday from mid-April through the end of October from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Additionally, there are typically four Holiday Markets scheduled in the November/December timeframe with hours from 10am-2pm.
Meetings
Coordinate, alongside the ACFM Board President, the Board of Directors meetings, General Membership meetings, the March Expo, and any other meetings related to the ACFM. This includes setting the agenda, arranging meeting rooms, determining times, and preparing necessary reports and documents.
Attend and participate in community meetings such as the West Jefferson Town Alderman meetings, West Jefferson Community Partnership Committee, Christmas in July, Chamber of Commerce, and the West Jefferson Business Association.
Advertising
You will be responsible for writing all ads and articles about weekly markets and special events, submitting them to approved media outlets, and maintaining and updating the website and social media platforms. You will be responsible for a weekly phone call at 8:30am on Saturday mornings to WKSK to announce what’s available at the market each week.
Special Events
Coordinate special events throughout the year, such as monthly fundraisers, Christmas in July, the annual Fall Festival in October, and the Holiday Markets in November and December, in collaboration with committees established by the ACFM Board of Directors.
Assist the ACFM Board of Directors in January (weather permitting) with setting up the March Expo for jurying new potential craft vendors. Help with the agenda, meeting date and time, facility arrangements, and scheduling vendors.