The Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) is looking to bring on a Farmers Market Manager for the 2024 season. Someone in this role should be a strong communicator, team player, self motivated, adaptable, and organized. Experience in the areas of graphic design, marketing, content creation, customer service, or event organization is preferred. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to LMSA Program Coordinator Ana Castro at coordinator@laramiemainstreet.org with the subject line MANAGER APPLICATION by March 25th, 2024. This is a paid, 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, drinks and food stalls, live entertainment provides a vibrant market atmosphere. The market’s goal is to create a pipeline of entrepreneurs (from market to storefront), support food based manufacturing, drive traffic downtown, increase sales for local businesses, and create a sense of vibrancy within the Laramie community.

Market Manager Position

The Market Manager is a vital contributor to the planning and coordination of the market and builds relationships with entrepreneurs and vendors. It is a part time position with primary responsibility being the day-to-day operation of the farmers market in the summer. An ideal manager has strong communication skills, will work well with Laramie Main Street’s Farmers Market committee, the City of Laramie, as well as 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 Market Intern and LMSA Program Coordinator, and work closely with the Farmers Market Committee Chair. In addition, the manager will represent Laramie Main Street and the Farmers Market to vendors, market consumers, and the community.

Market Manager:

This role is primarily responsible for market duties during the event every Friday during the summer. They are the primary day-of contact and works directly with vendors during the market, as well as the rest of the market staff. Responsibilities of the Market Manager include:

Pre-season (Spring)

Contact past vendors about open applications
Respond to emails regarding the application process
Regularly check Market email account and respond or forward inquiries as necessary
Complete required special event permit acquisition, coordinate with committee to help collect signatures (or put together newspaper notice)
Complete requests for assistance from the City of Laramie:
- Waste
- Streets
- Parks

Carry out Bid process for trash and toilets: reach out to contacts and make decisions on which companies to award bids

Correspond with bid winners to coordinate payment schedule
Communicate payment schedule and requirements to Program Coordinator

Coordinate with Disposal and toilet services about weekly cleaning schedule, make other market staff aware of this schedule

Be aware of SNAP and other market sponsors and the recognition schedule
Review vendor applications, build an initial vendor map and proposed vendor list; review with committee members
Accept vendors and build waitlist for vendors not accepted
Contact approved vendors and survey them regarding their desires to grow/expand their business
Create invoices in Square for market vendors who wish to prepay
Provide information about LMSA and local economic development business services (see Small Business Handbook) to vendors
Prepare a letter for vendors reminding them of updated rules and expectations
Ensure the vendor application and payment options are available online
Confirm payment systems are functioning (EBT, Square, and PayPal) and set up any payment tracking systems for the season
Prepare a formal report to the committee about the upcoming market season
Set market goals and complete event pre-evaluation in conjunction with market staff and chair
Coordinate with committee and staff about appropriate marketing initiatives

Summer Weekly Duties

Must be available Fridays 1-8pm June 28th- September 27th, 2024 (No market July 12th)

Check market email regularly and respond to email and phone requests for the market, or forward as necessary
Work with and advise intern to put together a weekly varying vendor map

Deposit market fees and provide weekly income and expense reports to accounting and LMSA staff
Oversee invoicing process through Square
Manage waitlist and running vendor applications
Communicate with vendors about no shows and collect no show payments

Communicate with committee chair and co-manager about needs, issues and other pertinent information as necessary
Assist market staff with handling disputes as necessary
Identify vendors who need assistance growing their business
Support interns with specialized projects and events
Community education events
Create an updated manual for Farmers Market

* Many of these duties will be performed with assistance from the market intern position*

Post-season (Fall/winter)

Coordinate with committee about sending out follow up surveys for patrons, vendors, and downtown businesses
Finalize any outstanding payments and prepare a final income and expense report for accounting
Prepare a formal report to the Board about the market season
Follow up with businesses that are interested in growing beyond the market and connect them with the appropriate resources
Working with market staff and committee to complete post event evaluation
Attend wrap up meeting and make recommendations for the next season

Salary: $10,000 - which will be paid throughout the summer once per month.