Company description

The Lower East Side Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 Business Improvement District.

The Partnership’s mission is to enhance the unique and diverse character of the Lower East Side by providing supplemental sanitation, horticultural and public space improvements, marketing, and community programming.

The Lower East Side Partnership (LESP) is the operational partner for Essex Market, and provides programming, promotional, and logistical support to NYC EDC. This includes all community-based programming and other promotional activities at Essex Market.

Job description

ESSEX MARKET • Overview

The Essex Street Market Vendor Association (ESMVA) is a not-for-profit organization whose membership consists of a diverse group of vendors that call the historic Essex Market home. ESMVA’s mission is to support the market’s small merchant community through vendor advocacy and operational support. ESMVA acts as the central point of contact between market management, operational partners, community-based organizations, as well as other governmental and community stakeholders.

Essex Market is New York City’s largest public market and the centerpiece of the citywide public markets portfolio managed by NYC EDC. The Lower East Side Partnership (LESP) is the operational partner for Essex Market, and provides programming, promotional, and logistical support to NYC EDC. This includes all community-based programming and other promotional activities at Essex Market.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Community & Vendor Services Coordinator works in collaboration with onsite personnel for NYC EDC and LESP to connect one-on-one with vendors providing support services for our community of small food and beverage merchants and provide day-to-day operational support enhancing their ability to thrive and grow.

This is a full-time position ideal for entry-level professionals interested in New York City’s food system, small food businesses, community-based food programming, and/or economic development. This position is based at the Essex Market and may require occasional evening and weekend hours.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Vendor Support Services

• Build relationships and rapport with market vendors and establish an understanding of their business and its practices;
• Coordinate and record meetings including monthly market-wide vendor and Board of Director meetings;
• Ensure vendors are continuously updated on all aspects of the market’s operations, programming, and promotional initiatives;
• Assist in on-boarding new vendors; and,
• Liaise between vendors and our staff regarding updates to their business or inquiries about our services; (ie. promoting new monthly specials or interest in collaborating on a private event).

Operations, Logistical, and Programmatic Support Services

• Catalog vendor concerns and issues in a streamlined system for handling communication between vendors and management;
• Assist in planning and executing weekly food education programs including our free cooking and nutrition workshops;
• Help with on-going market events such as vendor tastings, tours, nighttime panel discussions, and weekend family activities;
• Gather post-event data to be used in marketing efforts or community-facing reports.
• Manage info@ inbox and other related general inquiries;
• Coordinate with local community partners to maintain and stock the Essex Market Community Fridge.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated interest in food systems, small businesses, and community organizing;
• Ability to work with a diverse population of shoppers, small merchants, and community members;
• Very detail-oriented, strong and professional writing skills, and comfortable speaking in front of groups;
• Eager to engage with our community of vendors and local residents to build the best possible marketplace.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with restaurant or marketplace operations;
• Chinese (Cantonese) and/or Spanish speaking;
• Interest in community-facing food and grocery programming.

The Essex Market Vendor & Community Services Coordinator is an employee of the Essex Market Vendor Association (ESMVA) and the Lower East Side Partnership (LESP) through a contract with New York City Economic Development (NYCEDC).

This job reports in-person at Essex Market with the flexibility for 1 remote workday per week.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline