Bainbridge Island Farmers' Market Manager
Job Description and Request for Applications
Overview:
The Bainbridge Island Farmers Market Association (BIFMA) is a non-profit organization
operated by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of vendors and community members. The
BIFMA’s mission is to create a marketplace to connect local farmers and artisan food and craft
vendors with a diverse customer base; to foster community well-being through education and
food access and to promote a strong local economy.
Job Summary:
The BIFM Market Manager is responsible for the successful operation of the Saturday Farmers
Market (which runs April through November), including both on-site and off-site duties; helping
grow the market through vendor recruitment and marketing techniques to increase sales for
individual vendors, and is the visible face of the market in our community.
“The ideal Market Manager candidate is a detail-oriented, big picture thinker with experience as an
event organizer, attitude of a diplomat, eye of an artist, ethic of a judge, entrepreneurial spirit, with
the endurance of a marathoner; and believes duct tape can fix most things! Also has a passion for
farms, local food, and small businesses, while getting along with all kinds of people and being willing
to work every Saturday from April through November.” from the Washington State Farmer Market Management Toolkit
General Requirements:
•Previous management experience, including staff oversight and program development.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction.
• Have a positive attitude with excellent interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution.
• Good computer/internet skills (including Word, Excel, Website updates, Mailchimp,
Instagram, Facebook), as well as good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to collect and analyze data about the market.
• Ability to hold market business in the strictest confidence, including individual vendor
sales information.
• Ability to work in an outdoor environment including during adverse weather conditions.
• The BIFM does not have an office location; therefore, the Market Manager must be
able to work from another location on record keeping, correspondence, planning and
other BIFM activities.
• Be a licensed driver in Washington State with a safe driving record and has an insured
vehicle and cell phone.
• Must be willing to work on Saturdays during the market season.
Physical Demands:
• Occasional lifting 40 lbs., with frequent lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 20 lbs.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
• Ability to distinguish sounds at various frequencies and volumes.
• Ability to distinguish people or objects at varied distances under a variety of light
conditions.
Duties – Administration:
• Maintain all vendor applications and records, including current licenses, permits and
contact information.
• Maintain accurate records of market income and expenses, make bank deposits.
• Check P.O. Box 1 time per week and email at least 3 times per week and respond or
forward to appropriate board member.
• Work with Board Treasurer to prepare the annual operating budget.
• Develop and maintain an Operations Manual.
• Send Board a report once per month during the market season.
Duties – Market Site Management:
• Contact vendors prior to each market to determine attendance; prepare market site
map and communicate layout to vendors on Friday. Work to maintain a full market.
• Place directional signs promoting the market around the community at key locations
prior to opening on each market day; remove the signs after the close of market.
• Set up/take down Market Manager’s and Musician’s tent. Assist vendors as needed.
• Staff the BIFM booth during market hours to answer questions and run the SNAP
program to ensure compliance and reimbursement for matching program, including
ensuring EBT processing equipment is working.
• Collect booth fees and sales figures from vendors, maintain confidential records of this
information.
• Assertively & respectfully enforce rules of the market as needed.
• Monitor and assist customers at market, respond to any problems with diplomacy, and
report problems or unusual occurrences to Board of Directors in a timely manner.
• Recruit farmers and other producers to participate in the market, provide information
and market guidelines.
• Solicit and collect email addresses for customer mailing list.
• Conduct period customer count on market days to assess market patronage.
• Ensure cleanliness of site at end of market.
• Maintain BIFM equipment, signs and supplies.
Duties – Promotion/Outreach/Fundraising:
• Work with Board to plan and carry out a marketing plan with the goal of increasing
customer base and individual vendors ’sales. Keep a list of all marketing efforts and
report on the success or failure of such efforts.
• Work with the Board/Committee to develop and implement a fundraising program,
including seeking and managing sponsors to raise funds for BIFMA operating expenses.
• Manage weekly social media presence on Facebook and Instagram.
• Produce and distribute a weekly email customer newsletter profiling current offerings
and vendors.
• Schedule music and other events for the market.
• Update BIFM website with current vendor lists and photos.
• Promote and provide education about SNAP, WIC, Senior and other benefits programs
available at the market.
• Participate in community meetings on behalf of BIFM as requested by the Board.
This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the
major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The Market Manager maybe be requested
to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this job description.
This is a paid, part-time, flexible position. Anticipated hours per week are 20-30 in Feb-Mar; 20-
25 during market season April-Nov; 5-8 in Dec-Jan, under the guidance of the BIFM Board of
Directors.
To Apply:
Please send cover letter, resume, any other applicable documents, and 3 professional
references to the BIFM Board of Directors. Documents should be organized into one PDF file
and emailed to .
This position will remain open until filled.