Job Description
Summary
Founded in 1++5 as a non-profit society, Vancouver Farmers Markets (VFM) has grown to become one of Canada’s leading farmers market organizations with nine weekly markets, 66+,000 visitors per year, and annual vendor sales over $15.8 million. We operate vibrant and welcoming markets that feed people, build community and support small farms and producers in Vancouver, BC on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) people.
VFM is looking for a creative and enthusiastic Market Manager who believes markets are a dynamic tool for connecting people to a resilient food network that values people and the land. This person is detail-oriented, committed to vendor and customer service, able to adapt quickly when things do not go as planned, and has both administrative and people skills to bring to the role.
The role of the market manager is to ensure their assigned markets have the resources and support needed to operate successfully. This includes support in the following areas:
Management of budget and distribution of resources among assigned markets
Maintenance of existing relationships and building of new relationships with market community
Communication with Director of Operations to ensure ongoing planning and smooth operations
Vendor scheduling, booth assignment and collection of fees
Market set up, tear down and operations
On-site communication with staff, vendors, customers, and neighbours
Currently, in all cases, full time Market Managers are also have additional administrative projects they are responsible for which include:
Vendor outreach & support
Staff hiring, onboarding and support
Special projects as needed
Reports to:
Director of Operations
Direct Reports:
Market Crew in assigned markets
Job Classification:
Full – Time, Permanent (35 hours a week)
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including RRSP matching, medical, dental and vision
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
HR Management
Hiring, orientation, training and supervision of market crew
Scheduling and delegating responsibilities to market crew
Communication and preparation of market crew via email & meetings
Identifying and training of new potential market managers from seasonal staff
Act as a mentor to other part time Market Managers
Bi-weekly timesheet approvals
Leading monthly safety meetings at market
Resource Management
Maintain record of equipment and merchandise inventory
Ensure equipment is being maintained, and perform basic equipment maintenance based on maintenance schedule
Communicate needs for new equipment, significant repairs to Director of Operations/Operations Assistant
Participant Coordination
Scheduling and retention of Vendors, initially & ongoing throughout the year
Working with the Vendor Outreach and Support Specialist to cultivate pool of vendors appropriate for market locations
Support orientation of new vendors
Planning market day layout of vendors, community tables and buskers
Collection of vendor fees and ensuring vendor policies are followed
Processing vendor cancellations
Office “Point of contact” for participants interested in assigned markets
Market Operations Support and Communication
Market set up and tear down
Managing gift certificates, coupons, membership and merchandise sales
Weekly market cashout
On-site communication with staff, vendors customers, and neighbours
Updating sales and inventory counts, communicate needs for supplies to Director of Operations/Operations Assistant
Troubleshoot market site issues with Director of Operations and help find solutions
Ensure markets are meeting VFM standards for safety, aesthetic appeal and permitted use
Ensure market special programs (ie. Sponsor activations, coupon program, master gardeners, donation station, etc.) are properly accounted for with space and equipment
Communicating rule violations, follow up paperwork
Communicate changes in market operations procedures to Director of Operations
Events and Marketing
Plan for special events, manage budget and resources
Contribute to monthly vendor bulletin and weekly newsletter as appropriate
Contribute to annual advertising and promotions plan
Ensuring posters and other marketing material are posted for upcoming events
Updating social media
Communicate events and new market features to staff at meetings
Contribute to website and social media content pertaining to market events and happenings
Data Entry, Analysis, Meetings and Reporting
Complete weekly market report
Ensure Market Manager sales reports are up to date
Provide monthly updates at staff meetings
Participate in bi-weekly Operations Management Meetings & Monthly Manager meetings
Report out monthly, quarterly, annually to Operations Manager or Director of Operations, Board as needed
Plan and ensure annual surveys take place at your market locations
Skills/Attributes Required
Ability to manage people and budgets
Ability to forecast and set goals
Ability to organize and plan for on site event logistics
Ability to problem solve, resolve conflict, maintain composure, and mediate issues as they arise.
Ability to hire, train and delegate to staff
Ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically with a variety of stakeholders
Ability to manage fund of up to $15 000
Ability to enforce market policies and contribute to changes to policies via annual review
Knowledge of event and food safety, either through the completion of Market Safe or Food Safe or both.
Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn about BC agriculture, farmers markets, local food systems, and Vancouver communities.
Ability to work and maintain positive attitude in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions
Ability to work flexible work hours, including weekends, evenings and/or holidays
Physically able to lift 50 pounds safely.
Education and Experience
Typically the above skills and attributes can be acquired through the following education and experience (though other education and experience backgrounds will be considered if they meet the above skill requirements):
Completion of High School, with a preference for completion of a college or university program ideally with courses in any of the following: event planning, administration, management, marketing, communications, human resources or community engagement
Food Safe Level 1 and Basic First Aid – either currently have or will be able to easily obtain prior to commencing employment
Experience managing teams of 5-10 people in a service/retail/operations setting
Experience coordinating events including planning logistics, delegating tasks and communicating with stakeholders
Experience with cash management of funds of up to $15 000
Prior farmers market management experience considered strongly
Strong computer skills, including Google Workspace, Microsoft and Wordpress
Valid BC Drivers License with clean driving record. Access to a reliable car an asset.
Founded in 1++5 as a non-profit society, Vancouver Farmers Markets (VFM) has grown to become one of Canada’s leading farmers market organizations with nine weekly markets, 66+,000 visitors per year, and annual vendor sales over $15.8 million. We operate vibrant and welcoming markets that feed people, build community and support small farms and producers in Vancouver, BC on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) people.
VFM is looking for a creative and enthusiastic Market Manager who believes markets are a dynamic tool for connecting people to a resilient food network that values people and the land. This person is detail-oriented, committed to vendor and customer service, able to adapt quickly when things do not go as planned, and has both administrative and people skills to bring to the role.
The role of the market manager is to ensure their assigned markets have the resources and support needed to operate successfully. This includes support in the following areas:
Management of budget and distribution of resources among assigned markets
Maintenance of existing relationships and building of new relationships with market community
Communication with Director of Operations to ensure ongoing planning and smooth operations
Vendor scheduling, booth assignment and collection of fees
Market set up, tear down and operations
On-site communication with staff, vendors, customers, and neighbours
Currently, in all cases, full time Market Managers are also have additional administrative projects they are responsible for which include:
Vendor outreach & support
Staff hiring, onboarding and support
Special projects as needed
Reports to:
Director of Operations
Direct Reports:
Market Crew in assigned markets
Job Classification:
Full – Time, Permanent (35 hours a week)
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including RRSP matching, medical, dental and vision
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
HR Management
Hiring, orientation, training and supervision of market crew
Scheduling and delegating responsibilities to market crew
Communication and preparation of market crew via email & meetings
Identifying and training of new potential market managers from seasonal staff
Act as a mentor to other part time Market Managers
Bi-weekly timesheet approvals
Leading monthly safety meetings at market
Resource Management
Maintain record of equipment and merchandise inventory
Ensure equipment is being maintained, and perform basic equipment maintenance based on maintenance schedule
Communicate needs for new equipment, significant repairs to Director of Operations/Operations Assistant
Participant Coordination
Scheduling and retention of Vendors, initially & ongoing throughout the year
Working with the Vendor Outreach and Support Specialist to cultivate pool of vendors appropriate for market locations
Support orientation of new vendors
Planning market day layout of vendors, community tables and buskers
Collection of vendor fees and ensuring vendor policies are followed
Processing vendor cancellations
Office “Point of contact” for participants interested in assigned markets
Market Operations Support and Communication
Market set up and tear down
Managing gift certificates, coupons, membership and merchandise sales
Weekly market cashout
On-site communication with staff, vendors customers, and neighbours
Updating sales and inventory counts, communicate needs for supplies to Director of Operations/Operations Assistant
Troubleshoot market site issues with Director of Operations and help find solutions
Ensure markets are meeting VFM standards for safety, aesthetic appeal and permitted use
Ensure market special programs (ie. Sponsor activations, coupon program, master gardeners, donation station, etc.) are properly accounted for with space and equipment
Communicating rule violations, follow up paperwork
Communicate changes in market operations procedures to Director of Operations
Events and Marketing
Plan for special events, manage budget and resources
Contribute to monthly vendor bulletin and weekly newsletter as appropriate
Contribute to annual advertising and promotions plan
Ensuring posters and other marketing material are posted for upcoming events
Updating social media
Communicate events and new market features to staff at meetings
Contribute to website and social media content pertaining to market events and happenings
Data Entry, Analysis, Meetings and Reporting
Complete weekly market report
Ensure Market Manager sales reports are up to date
Provide monthly updates at staff meetings
Participate in bi-weekly Operations Management Meetings & Monthly Manager meetings
Report out monthly, quarterly, annually to Operations Manager or Director of Operations, Board as needed
Plan and ensure annual surveys take place at your market locations
Skills/Attributes Required
Ability to manage people and budgets
Ability to forecast and set goals
Ability to organize and plan for on site event logistics
Ability to problem solve, resolve conflict, maintain composure, and mediate issues as they arise.
Ability to hire, train and delegate to staff
Ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically with a variety of stakeholders
Ability to manage fund of up to $15 000
Ability to enforce market policies and contribute to changes to policies via annual review
Knowledge of event and food safety, either through the completion of Market Safe or Food Safe or both.
Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn about BC agriculture, farmers markets, local food systems, and Vancouver communities.
Ability to work and maintain positive attitude in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions
Ability to work flexible work hours, including weekends, evenings and/or holidays
Physically able to lift 50 pounds safely.
Education and Experience
Typically the above skills and attributes can be acquired through the following education and experience (though other education and experience backgrounds will be considered if they meet the above skill requirements):
Completion of High School, with a preference for completion of a college or university program ideally with courses in any of the following: event planning, administration, management, marketing, communications, human resources or community engagement
Food Safe Level 1 and Basic First Aid – either currently have or will be able to easily obtain prior to commencing employment
Experience managing teams of 5-10 people in a service/retail/operations setting
Experience coordinating events including planning logistics, delegating tasks and communicating with stakeholders
Experience with cash management of funds of up to $15 000
Prior farmers market management experience considered strongly
Strong computer skills, including Google Workspace, Microsoft and Wordpress
Valid BC Drivers License with clean driving record. Access to a reliable car an asset.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Market Manager position is now open for candidates interested in the Event Management Jobs sector. This role in Vancouver offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Event Management Jobs is a plus.