Farmers Market Manager : Melbourne Farmers Markets, VIC
Farmers Market Manager
Melbourne Farmers Markets
Job description
ABOUT US
Melbourne Farmers Markets is a not for profit social enterprise connecting urban communities with Victorian farmers while promoting seasonal produce, biodiversity and regenerative farming practices.
We manage accredited markets across Melbourne, which means there are no wholesalers or resellers, just real food direct from the people who produce it. We are dedicated to building resilience, success and recognition for regional food producers and are passionate about sustainable farming practices, fresh produce and reconnecting Australians with their food. Through this, we aim to educate customers on the positive environmental, social and small business benefits of supporting local food systems. The collaborative and inclusive culture we have amongst our small but dedicated team enables us to deliver authentic farmers markets in Melbourne.
KEY INFO
Casual – 12-18 hours weekly, including:
Each Sunday starting between 6:00am and 7:00am until early to mid afternoon (essential)
6-8 hours rostered on Thursdays for market planning purposes (essential, usually 9-5 in Alphington)
Occasional additional weekday hours for specific projects (as mutually convenient)
Occasional additional Saturday market shifts (as mutually convenient)
Remuneration: Mon-Fri $27.15p/h, Sat $31.49p/h, Sun $38.01p/h, plus super and allowances
ABOUT THE ROLE
Market management is front and centre in what we do. We have a small team of market managers, who are supported by market staff on the day. It’s very much a First In Last Out role – markets start at either 8:00am or 9:00am (varies market to market), so our market manager arrives onsite about 2 hours prior. The market finishes at 1:00pm, the site is usually cleared by 2:00pm, and then there’s a small amount of admin and return to our HQ in Alphington.
It’s a hands-on role and there’s a bit of kit to set up – usually a couple of pop-up marquees (with 20kg weights on each corner), some basic POS tech (Square) and portable WiFi for the front gate, signage, a few trestles and the like. There might be an umbrella for the busker and some basic temporary power requirements (extensions, distribution boards etc), but in an event sense, we keep things fairly minimalist – professional, but simple. At the end of the day, it’s all about the produce, our farmers and of course our customers.
Our market managers typically lead a small team of either one or two assistants each market shift, ensuring they’re operating safely, are well informed and appropriately representing the values of our brand and reputation. We take compliance matters seriously – safety, biosecurity and food handling in particular. We have good systems and procedures in place that need to be upheld at our markets, but it’s a dynamic landscape – particularly in a COVIDSafe sense – so an important part of the role is staying up to date in these areas. And we can’t build a fair and just food system without ensuring our staff are well looked after – we naturally foster a great workplace culture, and ensure our staff are treated equally and paid fairly.
At the heart of all of this is our relationship and service to our producers and stallholders, and that can’t be just achieved on market day. Working with our Stallholder Coordinator and the rest of our small team during a mid-week planning shift is essential (scheduled for business hours on Thursdays). Planning around marketing (eg socials, signage, stallholder comms), venue and council liaison and other operational matters makes for a busy day mid-week.
Reliability and accountability is essential – there are a lot of people depending on our market team. Our primary producers typically travel significant distances with freshly harvested produce. Not delivering the market would be devastating to them.
The role has its own clear set of accountabilities, but at the end of the day, we do our best work as a team. We collectively strive towards building and maintaining a fair and equitable food system that doesn’t rely on long and disconnected supply chains.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Farmers Market planning, stakeholder liaison and coordination
Accountable for safe and successful on-the-day management and event delivery for the assigned market
Providing on-site leadership for a small team of market staff in line with MFM values
Building and maintaining productive and respectful relationships with our stallholders, staff and venue partners
REQUIRED KEY SKILLS
Ability to problem-solve, multi-task and ‘think on your feet’
Technical acumen – ability to understand basic power requirements and trouble shoot POS/Square technology
Drivers Licence – ability to drive a manual vehicle essential
Fit and healthy – early starts, some manual handling required, such as pop-up marquees, boxes and marquee weights
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently, as part of a team and as a strong team leader
Excellent attention to detail and a proactive approach to event management
Strong interest in local food systems
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Minimum 2 years experience in an Event Management position or similar
Excellent team leadership qualities with demonstrated experience in managing a small team
An understanding and passion for local and seasonal food systems
Empathy for Victorian farmers, food producers and small business
Current First Aid certificate would be highly regarded
A position description is attached.
If you need further information, by all means contact our Operations Manager, Scott Hamilton, via email jobs@mfm.com.au using the subject line: Farmers Market Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs.
And be sure to look us up - we're still building our website, but there is plenty of info there - www.mfm.com.au.
Melbourne Farmers Markets welcomes applications from people of all cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds and abilities.
We will fill the role as soon as the right applicant is found regardless of the expiration date of the advertisement.