Ithaca Farmers Market
Market Operations 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 Operations Co-Manager is responsible for the physical running of the market and the administrative tasks associated with the daily, monthly, and annual running of market operations. Customer service runs through the core of this role as they offer support to the seasonal needs of vendors and the public.
This role works in close partnership with the Market Administration 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 a hands-on, people-facing role. The right person is calm under pressure, consistent in how they treat people, deeply comfortable working within a cooperative governance structure, and genuinely enthusiastic about the IFM mission and community. Strategic direction, governance, and major decisions rest with the Board and vendor community.
At a Glance
Reports To: Director of Market Operations and Board President
Hours: 30–35 hours/week (seasonal variation: higher May–November, lower January–March)
Schedule: Required attendance at 80% of Saturday markets year-round; Sunday markets May–November; some weekday satellite markets, flexibility in scheduling with co manager
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 Administration Co-Manager, CSA Staff, Landscape Coordinator, Board Committees
Core Responsibilities
On Market Days (approximately 35–45% of time, peak season; 10–15% January–March)
- Conduct daily on-site booth lotteries for Saturday and Sunday markets
- Collect booth fees and distribute reimbursement checks as needed
- Maintain accurate daily records including attendance, booth fee payments, nutrition incentive redemptions, reimbursements, and incidents
- Respond to and resolve vendor and customer inquiries and issues on-site
- Reconcile office cash and sales drawers; make weekly bank deposits
- Ensure the safety, cleanliness, and functionality of market premises including parking lot, pavilion, and grounds
- Enforce market rules consistently and respectfully
- Distribute nutrition incentive vouchers and program information to customers
- Update the website to reflect vendors in attendance at each market day
- Supervise and assist seasonal Customer Service Associates (CSAs) with market setup and breakdown
Vendor Relations & Market Liaison (approximately 20% of time, year-round)
- Attend meetings of the Building and Grounds and Winter Market committees; attend other committee meetings when invited
- Respond to vendor, prospective vendor, and customer inquiries via general email and voicemail
- Assist vendors through the Board proposal and special needs request process; present requests to the Board when necessary
Buildings & Grounds (approximately 5–10% of time, year-round)
- Coordinate with the Building and Grounds committee to maintain the Pavilion and ensure compliance with local and state guidelines
- Coordinate with outside professionals to make minor or large repairs to the pavilion as necessary
- Supervise and provide regular guidance to the Landscape Coordinator
Staff Supervision (approximately 5% of time, year-round)
- Create and disseminate the weekly CSA staff schedule by each Friday
- Train CSA staff on Pavilion setup/breakdown, customer service, merchandise sales, and office tasks
- Contribute to self-evaluation and seasonal staff reviews in coordination with the Board
Nutrition Incentive Programs (approximately 5% of time, year-round)
- Promote and support customer and vendor participation in SNAP and other nutrition incentive programs
- Manage vendor payouts for nutrition incentive programs
- Ensure timely redemption and reimbursement for all nutrition incentive programs
- Source or oversee development of promotional materials; engage in community outreach around food accessibility
Shared Responsibilities with Administration Co-Manager
- Attend monthly Board meetings; prepare and jointly present monthly staff report
- Cross-train on each other’s core functions to ensure full continuity of operations
- Contribute to annual and seasonal planning, budget development, and strategic visioning
- Collaborate on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) so all key functions are documented and transferable
- Participate in spring and fall vendor meetings and all-vendor mailings
What We’re Looking For
Required
- Demonstrated ability to stay calm, consistent, and fair in a fast-paced, people-heavy environment
- Very strong interpersonal skills, including genuine comfort working with a wide range of people and personalities
- Experience with conflict resolution and de-escalation
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to self-direct without close supervision
- Proficiency with Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.)
- Ability to work weekends and evenings as required
- 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
- Previous experience in farmers market management or a similar community market setting
- Knowledge of nutrition incentive programs (SNAP, FMNP, etc.)
- Experience working within a cooperative or member-governed organization
- Familiarity with liability insurance and permit requirements
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
