Market Manager
Groundswell operates a year-round weekly Galveston’s Own Farmers Market (GOFM) every Sunday on Galveston Island.
The Market Manager (MM) is a full-time salaried position responsible for successful operation of the weekly market as a vibrant community space and performs regular duties including but not limited to on-site management of market operations, data entry, financial reconciliation, vendor communication, volunteer management, partner enforcement of local regulations/standards, and acting as a prominent public face of GOFM.
Position: Market Manager
Hire Start date: April 20, 2026
Application Deadline: March 30, 2026
Hours: 40 hours/week
Salary: Starting at $45,000/annually + Benefits (including health insurance)
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Salaried, Non-Exempt
Location: Galveston, Texas
Reports to: Executive Director
Questions about the position? Please email hiring@groundswellgalveston.com
Major Responsibilities
Market Day Duties:
Oversee the set-up and break-down of market
Manage all volunteers, vendors, partners and customers
Manage central Info Booth and all sales, Food Access Program initiatives
Resolve conflicts or problems that may arise
Collect, control, and document fees from vendors
Input raw data figures from the market (sales, MarketMatch, etc.)
Ensure all state, county, and local regulations are followed
Manage inventory
Schedule and manage market musicians
Clearly & compassionately enforce market policies and rules
Maintain respectful rapport with vendors, partners and volunteers
Coordinate market day activities
Capture the energy of the market through photography
Beyond Market Day:
Meet weekly with supervisor(s) for assignments and feedback
Write monthly program reports
Attend weekly all-staff meetings
Work in Groundswell office during traditional office hours (9a-5p) on Mondays/Wednesdays
Serve as the primary contact with vendors, musicians, partners, and Food Access inquiries
Produce weekly public GOFM newsletter
Lead and manage market recruitment through offsite market visits and online research to increase vendor numbers
Ensure the upkeep and maintenance of the market space through routine site maintenance procedures
Manage all aspects of vendor relations, including current vendor support and prospective vendor application workflows and onboarding
Manage the reporting and outreach initiatives of Groundswell’s Food Access Programs
Serve as the primary contact for Groundswell’s Food Access Programs, utilizing tools like Text-Em-all for communication
Ideate, develop, and plan new partnerships, initiatives and activities that enhance market experience and elevate Groundswell’s operations both at Market & within the community
Qualifications
Excellent interpersonal skills and effective, inclusive communication
Excellent conflict resolution & problem-solving skills
Attentive to details and highly organized
Strong customer service skills
Ability to finish projects with minimal management
Ability to learn on the job & multitask
Ability to manage & direct volunteers, vendors, community partners, musicians, etc
Skilled in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.)
Motivated to problem-solve, troubleshoot, and research answers to questions/problems
Comfortable working with numbers, simple math, and POS technologies
Must have reliable transportation, phone, computer & access to internet
Compassionate Leadership
Bilingual in English and Spanish highly preferred
Education/Experience:
Experience managing others and/or working in a team environment
Passion for farmers' markets, local food, and food equity
Experience at merchandising, product placement, and/or retail sales
Physical Requirements:
Physically present at all Market Sundays, rain or shine
Must be able to work on their feet for 7 hours
Be able to lift 30 lbs. and stand/walk for prolonged periods of time