Now Hiring MARKET MANAGER for 2025 Season at Abbotsford Farm & Country Market
Our long-time Managers are retiring! We’re looking for an energetic, well-organized and dedicated individual, or duo, to take over this role as of April 2025.
This is an amazing opportunity to build on a well-established reputation and take this market to the next level.
Our Story:
The Abbotsford Farm and Country Market was established in 2003 and is operated by the non-profit Abbotsford Farm and Country Market Society. It features a traditional small town ‘make, bake or grow your own products’ principle for its juried vendors. As a result, we enjoy a long-standing reputation for a friendly, relaxed and welcoming vibe among vendors and customers alike. Everyone – all cultures, individuals, families, kids and pets are welcome.
Our Mission: To celebrate local and BC agriculture, and to connect our Abbotsford community in a fun, vibrant and educational setting.
Our Vision: To sustain a successful, widely recognized outdoor market, averaging 40-50 vendors per market and featuring a broad range of local farm and artisan product.
The Market Manager(s) coordinate(s) the week to week operation of our outdoor farmers’ market located in Jubilee Park on the edge of historic downtown Abbotsford.
In 2025 the market will open for the season on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, from May 3rd to October 25th inclusive (26 weeks). The Market Manager also takes the leading role in marketing and liaising with the community, recruiting and retaining vendors, volunteers, and customers, and in fundraising to support the market.
We’re looking for a ‘people person’ with excellent leadership, communication and conflict resolution skills. This individual is self-motivated, confident and able to take initiative, and is committed to promoting local food producers and artisans.
The Manager will be expected to work from a home office and should possess solid computer skills and appropriate computer equipment. A valid BC driver’s license and access to a vehicle able to transport market materials and equipment will be required.
The Manager should be comfortable working in an outdoor setting in all weather, and should be capable of handling some lifting and physical work as a regular aspect of this position (e.g. tent and furniture setup as required).
Duties & Responsibilities of the Market Manager:
-Is accountable to and works closely with the Market’s volunteer Board of Directors. Attends Board Meetings and works with Board Committees as required
-Oversees weekly planning, setup, operation and cleanup of the market – is present on-site during market hours
-Liaises with City of Abbotsford, Fraser Health and other community contacts as required to ensure smooth running of the market, and compliance with municipal and provincial guidelines
-Liaises with current market vendors and entertainers to maintain their participation in the market
-Recruits new market vendors and entertainers as required. Goal is to expand and retain vendors so as to present a wide range of suitable products in the market each week with a target of minimum 40 vendors per week, expanding this to 50 vendors per week over the next 2-3 years. A salary bonus will be considered if the expansion is achieved.
-Is the main contact for vendors, customers, volunteers and community interface via phone, website, email, a weekly newsletter and social media as appropriate
-Recruits, trains and coordinates market staff and volunteers as resources allow
-Oversees collection of vendor fees, including invoicing, basic record-keeping and banking of funds
-Oversees revenue generating programs eg. Nutrition Coupons, market memberships, customer appreciation events etc.
-Plans and executes strategies to attract and retain customers, track market sales and attendance, survey satisfaction etc.
-Works with the Board to plan and execute budgets, fundraising strategies and special events
-Maintains market records and statistics
IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES for the MARKET MANAGER:
-Proven track record in a similar management position
-Able to interact with all market stakeholders in a respectful and professional manner including the public, vendors, entertainers, volunteers, sponsors and government representatives
-Has excellent people-management skills- able to motivate others and displays maturity and good judgment in dealing with inter-personal relationships and conflict
-Ability to explain and enforce market rules and regulations in a positive manner
-Has strong English verbal and written communication skills, and is comfortable using social media
-Is organized and detail-oriented with good time-management skills
-Is enthusiastic and committed to learning about and promoting local growers, food producers and artisans
OTHER DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES and EXPERIENCE could include:
-Marketing and/or customer service experience
-Familiarity with the Abbotsford community and the Fraser Valley Region -Basic understanding of BC’s agricultural and organic farming industries -Experience organizing events
-Basic understanding of social media and website management
-Basic understanding of accounting and bookkeeping procedures
-Comfortable arranging minor equipment maintenance if required
-Foodsafe for Markets qualification (or be willing to attain such)
-Basic First Aid qualification (or be willing to attain such)
COMPENSATION and SUPPORT:
The role will be covered by a contract from early April 2025 to mid-November 2025, paying $24 – $27/hour depending on experience and based on approximately 30 hours per week over 30 weeks. (Based on performance an additional winter contract may be offered over
20 weeks based on approximately 7.5 hours per week to cover vendor recruitment and administration activities during the off-season.) These contracts will be open to renewal on an on-going basis if satisfactory to all parties.
Depending upon applications received the Society may be open to negotiating the division of this contract between two parties. We encourage submissions from a diversity of applicants.
Early applications by January 24th 2025 are suggested. However please note that applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed as received, and interviews may be conducted during the recruitment period.
To apply email a short cover letter with resume to infoabbymarket@gmail.com. Please indicate ‘Market Manager’ in the subject line.
No inquiries please, and only those selected for interview will be contacted.