Job Description

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.

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