Farmers Market Manager-in-Training

Riverview Farmers Market – Market Manager (Manager-in-Training) Position

The Riverview Farmers Market, located in the Heights neighborhood of Jersey City, is preparing for its sixteenth season and is seeking a motivated, professional, and dedicated Market Manager to join our team.

The market operates every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, beginning on the first Sunday in May (5/3) and continuing through the Sunday before Thanksgiving in November (11/22). Market staff are expected to be present from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM each Sunday to oversee market setup and breakdown. There is an additional Holiday Market that takes place on a Saturday in December (12/5/26) - the Manager-in-Training is expected to be present for that event date as well.

Each week the market hosts anywhere from 40 to 60 vendors, as well as local musicians, free arts programming, cooking demonstrations, and a variety of food access initiatives.

About the Position

We are seeking to hire a Manager-in-Training who will work alongside the current Market Manager during a transitional period prior to the current manager’s departure.

The Manager-in-Training will oversee a team of Assistant Managers responsible for the setup and breakdown of market equipment and infrastructure. The role also includes managing vendor relationships, overseeing day-of market operations and flow, enforcing health and safety regulations, administering SNAP/EBT benefits, and addressing operational issues as they arise.

The Manager-in-Training will serve as the primary liaison between market vendors and the Jersey City Health Department. Several training sessions will be conducted prior to the start of the market season in May to familiarize the selected candidate with the market’s programs and procedures.

The Manager-in-Training will report primarily to the President of Farms in the Heights, the nonprofit organization that operates the Riverview Farmers Market, and will be responsible for supporting the success of the market, its vendors, programs, and business operations.

The Manager-in-Training will work with our bookkeeping to ensure processing of payroll and vendor payments.

Organization Mission and Market Vision

In all responsibilities, the Market Manager (Manager-in-Training) must be committed to advancing the mission of Farms in the Heights and supporting the vision for the Riverview Farmers Market.

Mission:

To provide access to local food systems, strengthen the local economy, and promote environmental stewardship for the benefit of all members of the Jersey City Heights community.

Vision:

To operate a community-supported, thriving, producer-focused farmers market offering a wide range of vendors and products that serve the entire community while particularly supporting small, local family farmers.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage weekly market operations from 9:00 AM vendor setup through 3:00 PM vendor breakdown, with additional hours as required on special event days (on-site hours are 7:30AM - 3:30PM)
• Ensure vendor compliance with Farms in the Heights bylaws and Jersey City ordinances
• Review and enforce the Riverview Farmers Market Rules and Regulations and Code of Conduct
• Foster positive relationships with vendors, customers, and community members
• Assist in coordinating market activities, including purchasing and maintaining necessary supplies and conducting periodic inventory organization
• Ensure all daily market setup and shutdown protocols are followed
• Collect vendor stall fees and maintain accurate accounting records
• Ensure the market grounds are left clean and orderly after vendors depart
• Maintain regular communication with the Farms in the Heights Board President and board members as needed
• Mediate disputes between vendors and/or customers when necessary
• Respond to and manage emergencies in accordance with established protocols
• Ensure all market staff wear Riverview Farmers Market apparel each Sunday
• Attend monthly meetings with the Farms in the Heights Board President regarding market operations and job performance
• Attend or facilitate monthly check-ins with market vendors during the market season
• Assist in hiring Assistant Market Managers, including managing job postings and conducting interviews
• Supervise market assistants and volunteers recruited by the board
• Oversee the SNAP/EBT token program and maintain required grant compliance documentation
• Coordinate market events organized by the Farms in the Heights Board in collaboration with staff and other market personnel
• Perform other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Education:

Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant management experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of people management experience, including personnel supervision, operational oversight, and budget responsibilities
• Minimum of four years of applicable work experience, e.g. with the public in retail, community programming, or other customer service environments

Upon hiring, the selected candidate must complete the ServSafe Food Manager Certification.

This role requires the ability to:

• Lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Remain on your feet for extended periods
• Move throughout the park to install equipment (including bending or crouching)
• Visually inspect vendor inventory and setups for compliance
• Complete tasks in a noisy and active outdoor environment
• Follow established operational protocols and respond promptly to issues

Additional requirements include:

• Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States
• Professional-level proficiency in spoken and written English
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build effective relationships with staff, vendors, contractors, and the public
• Excellent customer service orientation
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Quick to learn new technologies and interfaces
• Intermediate proficiency of Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Drive

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion for local food systems, nutrition, health, and wellness
• Advanced knowledge of QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, or Google Workspace
• Experience with grant accounting and grant management
• Interest in sustainable agriculture
• Access to a personal vehicle
• Conversational-level proficiency in Spanish
• Reliable access to a computer and printer/scanner

Salary

The Market Manager position pays $24.00–$28.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

The manager will oversee each market day during the season (30 Sundays in the 2026 season). The expected duration of a market day is 7-8 hours of work. In addition, the manager-in-training will be compensated at the same hourly rate for program support, grant management, and other administrative activities outside of market hours, estimated at approximately 3–6 hours per week.

Upon becoming a full Manager, the hourly management outside of Sunday market hours will increase to 10-12 hours per week. Anticipated hourly work for the full year, for a full manager, can range between 400-600 hours.