Jobs at Food Access LA (Now Hiring) — 2 open

Food Access LA is seeking a Director of Farmers’ Market Operations to oversee the Farmers’ Market Operations Department at Food Access LA which consists of 9 Certified Farmers’ Markets in the greater Los Angeles area. This Director will lead a team of 12 staff members with 3 direct reports who work in the community and behind the scenes to help ensure the successful operation of our farmers' markets and food access and equity programs. The Director will oversee revenue generation and manage the departmental budget, ensure compliance and timely invoice of all market specific grants, and work with the farmers’ market team to meet fee revenue goals. They will work with their team to ensure Food Access LA’s farmers’ markets are operating with integrity and in service of the communities we serve. The Director represents Food Access LA in various industry groups related to food/agriculture policy and advocacy. They have a clear perspective about the role community food systems have in addressing systemic inequities and creating economic opportunities for farmers and food entrepreneurs. The Director is a thought partner to the Executive Director and serves on Food Access LA’s Leadership Team. 

Specific Responsibilities 

• Oversee Food Access LA's network of farmers' markets, including:  

• • Ensuring operations are safe, effective, and community-centered,  

• • Maintaining market integrity and compliance with all applicable laws and Food Access LA’s rules & regulations, 

• • Fostering consistency and coordination in the management of Food Access LA's markets,  

• • Developing effective systems for Market Manager training, on-site operation, data collection and reporting, vendor curation and management, etc. 

• • Support Market Managers with problem solving, emergency preparation, and response (extreme weather, public safety events, etc.) 

• Work with Market Managers to implement new market programs that expand and deepen our impact and community relationships (i.e. zero waste initiatives, Community on Cosmo residency program, etc.) 

• Collaborate with relevant staff to organize promotional initiatives, programming, and partnerships and increase consumer, vendor participation, and sales at Food Access LA's farmers' markets 

• With support of the Executive Director, manage the budget related to the operation of Food Access LA's farmers' markets, including:  

• • Applying for and managing grants that maintain or expand market operations and programs, 

• • Achieving revenue goals and staying within approved expenditures;  

• • Tracking progress on revenue targets and recommending new revenue generating strategies as appropriate; 

• • Work with appropriate staff to develop processes that ensure timely submission of market load lists, grant invoices, and other documents needed for accounting 

• Collaborate and communicate with market and organization stakeholders, including farmers, vendors, community organizations, elected officials, etc. to support the safe and effective operation of the market 

• Explore and recommend opportunities to expand Food Access LA's network of certified farmers' markets and/or other models for increasing food access in low-income communities and revenue for farmers and other vendors in our network and beyond; 

• Supervise three direct reports, ensure appropriate supervision and encourage the professional development of all staff within Food Access LA's Department of Farmers' Market Operations; 

• Represent Food Access LA within food / agriculture policy and advocacy industry groups and in the media, organizing and attending conferences and community meetings, writing for publication, etc. 

• Maintain working knowledge and keep farmers’ market team informed of existing and proposed regulations impacting farmers’ market operations and benefits and incentives programs. Participate in the regulatory process as necessary and make adjustments to programs as needed.  

• Identify emerging issues and industry trends in farming, food justice / access, and sustainability that affect California farmers’ markets, farmers, food makers and the industry as a whole; 

• Participate in and encourage organization-wide fundraising efforts; collaborate with the Executive Director and Director, Development & Communications to identify funding and revenue opportunities; 

• Participate with the internal administrative Leadership Team, attending regular meetings, accepting projects and tasks as necessary, report updates to the Board of Directors, and helping shape and advance Food Access LA’s strategic plans and overall objectives. 

Required Skills and Experience 

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience (leadership / supervisory role, budget management, grant writing and reporting, event management, etc.)  

• A working knowledge of basic business and food retail operations, experience working with small- business owners, and/or past experience owning a small business.  

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills 

• History of successfully managing complex programs and teams 

• Experience managing multiple tasks and working with competing deadlines.  

• Adept at Microsoft Office, Zoom, Social Media apps and other technology platforms.  

• Comfortable being on call for emergencies and available to work nights and weekends as needed 

Desired Skills and Experience 

• Ability to read and write in English and Spanish.  

• Community-centered work experience 

• Experience working at a Certified Farmers’ Market (vendor, management, staff, etc) 

• Experience working with underserved, low-income communities with awareness and integrity.  

• Familiarity with Los Angeles’ geography, neighborhoods, and communities  

• Knowledge of standards and compliance and other protocols related to the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Health and other local, state and federal agencies.