Somerville Winter Farmers Market Manager

Overview: The Somerville Winter Farmers Market connects city residents with healthy, local food in a welcoming indoor environment while providing farmers and food producers reliable winter income. The market runs from early November to mid-April The Market Manager plays a central role in ensuring a vibrant, well-run market that reflects SWFM’s mission and supports the broader goals of The Center for Arts at the Armory.

The Market Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all operational, administrative, and community-facing of the Somerville Winter Farmers Market from pre-season preparation through weekly market operations. The Market Manager reports to the Arts at the Armory’s Co-Directors and is supported by a part-time/seasonal Market Assistant Manager. Depending on availability and other factors, the Market Manager may take over some communications responsibilities currently done by the Assistant Manager, and the Assistant Manager may shift to a SNAP Coordinator role that is primarily active on market days.

Responsibilities include:

PRE SEASON

• Oversee and manage all pre-season preparations, including:
  • Vendor outreach, selection, and permitting
  • Market communications, marketing, and promotion
  • Operational planning (merchandise, volunteer recruitment, setup)
  • Hiring, onboarding, and training of the Market Assistant Manager
• Ensure market is organized to meet the market program mission, as well as support the overall Armory mission and goals
• Coordinate with other market managers in area to ensure best practices at SWFM and enhance community
• Coordinate with city and state agencies to oversee permits and licenses
• Setup and manage SNAP/EBT registration and compliance

MARKET SEASON

• Oversee weekly market administration, including:
  • Communications and outreach(newsletter, social media, announcements)
  • Vendor management and support
  • Coordination of volunteers, musicians, and community booths
  • Tracking, data collection, and record keeping
• Recruit and retain customers; ensure a positive, welcoming market experience
• Supervise and support the Market Assistant Manager
• Oversee market operations including market set-up and breakdown
• Serve as the on-site point person throughout the market, available to vendors & customers
• Enforce market rules and ensure safety and cleanliness of the site
• Lead efforts to bring activities to the market that increase market participation, educate about local agriculture and food systems, and support neighborhood business activity
• Maintain daily records and reports related to market activities including EBT/SNAP (food stamp) redemption tracking

Qualifications & Desired Skills:

• Confident, friendly, and professional demeanor with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people
• Self-motivated, organized, energetic, and community-focused
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle conflict calmly and constructively
• Interest in local agriculture, food systems, community development, local economies, and small business support
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines

Specifics: 5 hours/week August - September; 10 hours/week October; 15 hours/week November - April. Includes Saturdays during the market season from 6:45 am to 2:30pm, additional hours flexible.

For a candidate interested in more consistent year-round work, we may be able to make a referral to a complementary summer market in the area for a similar role. No guarantee of employment with said summer market is implied or promised.

Salary & Benefits: This is an hourly position paid at $25/hr. Benefits include $25/week reimbursed to spend on products at market in order to build relationships with vendors and support marketing efforts. Please send a resume and cover letter to director@artsatthearmory.org no later than March 23, 2026.