District Manager

**Summary**

Founded in 1995 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, 498,000 visitors per year, and annual vendor sales over $13.6 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 District 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 district manager is to ensure their assigned markets have the resources and support needed to operate successfully. This includes support in the following areas:

- On-going training and support of market manager
- 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

Currently, in all cases, District Managers are also Market Managers for at least one market and emergency backup for all other markets in their district. The role of market manager is to ensure their assigned market operates efficiently. In addition to the above, this includes coordination of:

- Vendor scheduling, booth assignment and collection of fees
- Market set up, tear down and operations
- On-site communication with staff, vendors, customers, and neighbours

**Reports to**:
Director of Operations

**Direct Reports**:
Market Manager and Market Crew in assigned district

**Job Classification**:
Full - Time, Permanent (35 hours a week)

**Salary**: $49,000 - $51,000 DOE

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including RRSP matching, medical, dental and vision

**Key Tasks and Responsibilities**

**HR Management***
- Train, supervise and perform annual performance review for market managers within district
- Hiring, orientation, training and supervision of market crew
- Scheduling and delegating responsibilities to market crew
- Identifying and training of new potential market managers from seasonal staff

**Resource Management**
- Maintain record of equipment and merchandise inventory
- Ensure equipment is being maintained, and perform basic equipment maintenance based on maintenance schedule
- Identify opportunities to be more efficient with equipment and resources
- Communicate needs for new equipment, significant repairs to Operations Manager

**Participant Coordination***
- Recruitment, scheduling and retention of vendors, initially & ongoing throughout the year
- Working with the Director of Operations 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
- Licensing, Community Table, Volunteer / Busker program co-ordination and scheduling
- Office “Point of contact” for participants interested in markets in assigned district

**Market Operations Support and Communication**
- Market set up and tear down
- Managing gift certificates and merchandise sales
- 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 Market Manager and/or 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 and approve special events/seasonal programs, 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/markets
- Updating social media and event listings
- Communicate district events and new market features to staff at meetings
- Contribute to gaining sponsorships for markets under your supervision
- Contribute to website and social media content pertaining to market events and happenings

**Data Entry, Analysis, Meetings and Reporting**
- Ensure Market Manager sales reports are u