Company description

Grow Ohio Valley is nationally recognized nonprofit, building thriving communities through local food. We are working actively to launch an innovative year-round farmers market in a food desert, as well as actively seeking to expand potentially groundbreaking programs like the FARMacy, garden-in-every-school, and more. We are seeking a determined person with relevant skills to help us launch and expand these exciting projects -- projects that have potential to re-shape our town and be a model for community development through local food. 

Our core operations consist of: 

1. Five farm sites, including an urban apple orchard, two high tunnel greenhouses, and a geothermal hothouse, all on urban vacant lots in a hard-up neighborhood.
2. A range of creative sales-models to bring this locally grown product to food deserts, with a focus on building economic opportunities for local family farms. 
3. Complementary educational programs that teach community members gardening skills, how to prepare healthy meals, and the importance of eating fresh produce.

Job description Grow Ohio Valley seeks to hire an ambitious, creative, community-minded retail manager to lead its new Public Market initiative—a place-based, locally-sourced and natural foods market in the downtown center of three USDA food desert census tracks in Wheeling, West Virginia. Amidst broad community interest and support from municipal, state and national funders, this venture will galvanize a thriving community through providing access to local and healthy food in a way that improves the financial wherewithal of local and regional farmers. This position is a unique opportunity to become a leader developing food systems toward prosperous economic development and real social equity.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will lead the launch and management of the Public Market toward profitability. It reports to the company’s Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Responsibilities include:

• Establish and maintain productive farmer and other producer relationships.
• Adjust product mix and merchandizing to maximize market profitability operating within its mission.
• Develop and execute successful marketing and promotional programs.
• Engage the community through creative outreach and event programs.
• Adjust and develop new operating policies and procedures as required.
• Schedule and manage 2 - 4 additional market staff, and disburse payments to producers and vendors.
• Develop and maintain accurate budget projections and assist fundraising efforts.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Qualified individuals will demonstrate evidence of the following skills, attributes and experiences:

• Self-starter, hard worker and natural leader
• Passionate local and/or natural food enthusiast
• Knowledge of or experience in grocery or agriculture–food safety, post-harvest handling, pricing, marketing, and merchandising
• Ability to coordinate and conduct successful outreach across diverse populations
• Experience in all or some of the following:
- Retail merchandising and management
- Accounting and budgeting
- Profit and loss responsibility
- Managing staff and reporting to executive management
• Must have or gain immediate proficiency in Excel, POS and accounting software Compensation this position is : salaried Application instructions Deadlineno deadline