Now Hiring: Farmers Market Manager

 The Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) is seeking a Market Manager for the 2019 season. This individual should be a strong communicator, team player, self motivated and organized. Experience working with food systems, markets, events and/or non-profits is a plus. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and three references to Shantel Anderson, LMSA Board Chair and Market Chair, at orders@starawards.promo by Feb. 8, 2019. This is a part time, seasonal position.

For more information about Laramie Main Street, visit: www.laramiemainstreet.org 

The Downtown Laramie Farmers Market is a weekly event hosted by Laramie Main Street on Friday afternoons from the last week in June through the end of September. The market provides access to locally and regionally grown produce, farm products, local artisans and non-profits. In addition to food trucks, and and drinks and food stalls, live entertainment provides a vibrant market atmosphere. The market’s goal is to drive traffic downtown, increase sales for local entrepreneurs and create a sense of vibrancy within the Laramie community.

Manager Position

The Market Manager is a vital contributor to the planning and coordination of the vendors and supporting agencies.  It is a part time position with primary responsibility being the day-to-day operation of the farmers market in the summer, but a large component of the planning occurs before the market begins in the spring.  An ideal manager has strong communication skills, necessary for working with Laramie Main Street market committee, the City of Laramie, as well as a developing a close working relationship with the market vendors.  The manager has a flexible schedule regarding correspondence pre-season (spring).  During the market season (summer), the position includes an on-site presence at the market during all market hours, Fridays, 1 to 8 pm. The manager will report to the committee chair from Laramie Main Street’s market committee, who will set market policies. In addition, the manager will represent the market to vendors, market consumers, and to the community.

Pre-season (spring)

  • Review and update market application and vendor fees

  • Send out application to previous vendors and past waitlists

  • Respond to emails regarding the application process

  • Coordinate with committee members about permit acquisition and requests for assistance from the City of Laramie:

    • Waste 

    • Streets 

    • Parks

  • Work with committee members to schedule weekly musical entertainment and other market needs (i.e. portable toilets)

  • With assistance from Main Street’s fundraising committee, contact past and potential sponsors of the SNAP incentive

  • Review applications, build a map and proposed vendor list; review with committee members

  • Contact approved vendors

  • Prepare a letter for vendors reminding them of rules and expectations

  • Coordinate with LMSA committee about an advertising campaign for the market; ensure the vendor application and payment options are available online

  • Confirm payment systems are functioning (EBT, Square, and PayPal)

  • Prepare a formal report to the committee about the upcoming market season

 

In-seasonMarket Season (summer)

  • Respond to email and phone requests for the market

  • Weekly duties:

    • Confirm market layout and vendor list for the specific date

    • Call dispatch about remaining cars parked in lot

    • Organizing vendors into locations* 

    • Erect market tent and music tent* 

    • Arrange trash and other temporary market features*

    • Communicate with vendors about updates, issues, and questions*

    • Facilitate the Market Money program (collecting payments via credit/debit and EBT cards in exchange for tokens for use with the market vendors)*

    • Collect remaining payments from vendors (if not processed online)*

    • Closing the market by breaking down market tents*

    • Walk the the market location and collect trash*

    • Deposit market fees

  • Track income and expense and provide weekly reports to LMSA’s accountant

  • Communicate with committee chair about needs, issues and other pertinent information as necessary 

*Many of these duties are done in conjunction with the Market Assistant who is available weekly during the market  

Post-season/Wrap up

  • Coordinate with committee surveys for customers, vendors, and downtown businesses

  • Prepare a formal report to the committee about the market season, including recommendations for future years