Ithaca Farmers Market
Market Administration Co-Manager
Position Type: Part-Time, Year-Round — Last Updated: April 2026
Who We Are
The Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM) is a member-run cooperative market that has been providing access to locally produced goods since 1973. With over 160 active vendors across agriculture, artisan, and food categories, IFM is governed by its vendor members through a Board of Directors.
About This Role
The Market Administration Co-Manager is responsible for the organizational backbone of IFM: the systems, records, communications, planning, and Board support that keep the market running year-round. This role works in close partnership with the Market Operations Co-Manager as true peers — sharing institutional knowledge, covering for each other, and jointly reporting to the Board President. Neither co-manager holds supervisory authority over the other.
This is an internally-focused, systems-oriented role that also requires strong communication skills and genuine commitment to the cooperative model. The right person is organized, proactive, detail-oriented, and as comfortable supporting a board committee as they are managing a database.
At a Glance
Reports To: Director of Market Operations and Board President
Hours: 30–35 hours/week (seasonal variation: heavier planning load January–March; shared market presence May–November)
Schedule: Primarily weekday office hours with shared market-day presence; some evenings for Board and committee meetings
Compensation: commensurate with experience — $25-28/hour, health insurance 50% reimbursed, 2 weeks paid vacation to start, 1 hour of sick pay for every 30 hours worked, floating vacation pay
Works With: Market Operations Co-Manager, Marketing Coordinator, Board, Market Committees, hourly staff, Vendors
Core Responsibilities
Operational & Administrative Systems (approximately 20–25% of time, year-round)
- Maintain and update the vendor database in coordination with the retained database specialist
- Complete and maintain organized, up-to-date records including annual records for nutrition incentive program participation, attendance, vendor insurance certificates, and required vendor permits
- Monitor permit and insurance expiration dates and request updated documentation from vendors
- Monitor stock of market materials and ensure all are prepared for market days
- Send vendors receipts for cash payments for their records
- Manage Saturday booth assignments on Friday mornings
- Coordinate annual fire and fire extinguisher inspections
- Monitor expenditures of Building and Grounds and staffing budgets
- Coordinate and assist in running annual booth auctions for Saturday and Sunday booths
- Coordinate and participate in annual spring and fall work days
Board & Governance Support (approximately 15–20% of time, year-round)
- Attend monthly Board meetings; set up meeting rooms or Zoom infrastructure as needed
- Present a monthly staff report to the Board with the Operations Co-Manager
- Support coordination of Board committees, including scheduling and logistics
- Support the Board in preparing for and coordinating vendor meetings and all-vendor mailings; collect and track related payments
- Assist in developing and proposing market rule revisions for Board approval
- Prepare and submit the annual market calendar for Board approval
Vendor Communications (approximately 15% of time, year-round)
- Communicate upcoming events, opportunities, rules, and regulations to vendors via regular newsletters
- Develop effective strategies for communicating important information to vendors
- Respond to vendor, prospective vendor, and customer inquiries via general email and voicemail
- Support the onboarding, training, and orientation of new vendors in coordination with the Operations Co-Manager and relevant committees
Marketing & Merchandise (approximately 10% of time, year-round)
- Coordinate with the Marketing Coordinator to ensure IFM merchandise stock remains at pre-approved levels
- Update Square as needed for merchandise and market transactions
- Train CSAs on merchandise sales, inventory, storage, and display
- Support marketing and design needs including market graphics, signage, and satellite market advertising
Organizational & Seasonal Planning (approximately 20–25% January–March; 5–10% peak season)
- Evaluate market operations performance from the prior season to identify improvements for the coming year
- In collaboration with the Operations Co-Manager, develop annual and program budgets for Board approval
- Coordinate logistics and prepare materials for spring and fall vendor meetings
- Identify staffing and volunteer needs; support recruitment, hiring, and training of temporary staff
- Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all key staff and market procedures
- Develop new and better tracking and management systems as needed
- Attend relevant professional development, training sessions, and events
Shared Responsibilities with Operations Co-Manager
- Cross-train on each other’s core functions to ensure full continuity and redundancy
- Meet regularly to identify short-term goals and provide mutual support
- Contribute to self-evaluation and reviews of seasonal staff and other hourly employees
- Collaborate on SOPs so all key functions are documented and transferable
- Jointly report to the Board — neither role speaks for the organization alone
What We’re Looking For
Required
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail — you can manage multiple systems simultaneously without things falling through the cracks
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to write clear, warm, informative vendor communications
- Very strong interpersonal skills, including genuine comfort working with a wide range of people and personalities
- Experience with records management, database maintenance, or similar administrative systems
- Proficiency with Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.)
- Ability to work independently and manage your own time without close supervision
- Experience supporting a board, committee, or governance body
- Understanding of and genuine respect for cooperative and vendor-driven governance models
- Demonstrated ability to ask for help, acknowledge mistakes, and work collaboratively — not unilaterally
Preferred
- Experience in farmers market management, nonprofit administration, or cooperative organizational settings
- Familiarity with nutrition incentive programs, liability insurance requirements, or permit compliance
- Experience with budget development and financial tracking
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience
Our Culture — Please Read Before Applying
IFM is a cooperative. Members are the owners and the governing body. Staff are here to organize and support that structure. We are looking for people who find genuine meaning in that model, not people who will merely tolerate it.
We work best with people who communicate openly, raise concerns early and directly, collaborate instinctively, and understand that being wrong sometimes is part of working well with others. If you thrive in a hierarchical environment where you have wide independent authority, this may not be the right fit.
Both co-manager roles include a 90-day structured onboarding period with defined check-ins and a formal review. We are committed to being clear about expectations from day one.
Ithaca Farmers Market — Cooperatively owned since 1973 — ithacamarket.com
Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ithaca, NY 14850
