Job Opening: Market Manager

About Philo Ridge Farm
Philo Ridge Farm is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) working demonstration farm located in Vermont’s Champlain Valley. Using innovative and ecologically sustainable practices, we steward over 500 acres of pastureland, forests, and diversified produce gardens. We rotationally graze heritage breed livestock and cultivate certified organic fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Our mission is to promote organic regenerative agriculture through hands-on research, education, and community engagement. As a nonprofit living laboratory, we provide farmers, students, and the public with opportunities to explore sustainable farming practices. Through educational initiatives and collaborative partnerships, we seek to deepen our understanding of food systems, environmental stewardship, and the essential role of agriculture in building resilient, healthy communities.

Market Inspiration
PRF’s Market is inspired by the life and work of our founder, Diana McCargo, an exceptional home-chef, experienced organic gardener, and artful designer of curated experiences and spaces. Influenced by the argi-turismos of Europe and the luminaries of the farm-to-table movement—Chez Panisse, Lost Kitchen, Blackberry Farm, Ballymaloe House, River Cottage, and others—Diana is driven by Vermont’s seasonal changes and a foundational belief in fresh, local, simple, and delicious food. Experiencing this connection between food, land, and place is a unique and defining attribute of our operation. For many guests who come to the Farm, that experience begins in our Market. Positioned at the heart of our campus, the Market is the entry point to our hospitality program and where the community engages first with the Farm. It’s the place where we share our own products and those of regional artisans and where we celebrate the story of local food systems. We stock our shelves and cases with ingredients, equipment and resources that inspire us to cook, think, and connect. The PRF Market is a fundamental component of helping PRF achieve its mission in supporting regenerative farming, research, education, and community engagement.

Position Overview
Philo Ridge Farm is looking for a charismatic, creative, energetic and entrepreneurial Market Manager to lead our Market operations. In collaboration with Diana and the Director of F&B, the Market Manager will set the strategic direction of the Market and oversee all aspects of Market operations—including purchasing, merchandising, community engagement, staffing, training, and financial performance. The ideal candidate is a curious, hands-on, and creative problem solver with a keen design aesthetic, a detailed operator’s mindset, and the drive to take ownership of the Market as a retail store, community gathering space, and entry door to the farm. Success in this role will manifest in an aesthetically pleasing, thoughtfully merchandised, well managed, and welcoming Market operation. The Market Manager will report directly to the Director of F&B and collaborate with the Meat & Butchery Manager, the FOH Manager, and owner Diana McCargo.

Operations

• Maintain the highest level of aesthetic presentation, hospitality, and merchandising in the Market.
• Work with the Market team to select, order, stock and inventory products and merchandise.
• Work with the Butchery and Farm teams to ensure all on farm products are consistently merchandised and maintained at the highest quality.
• Work with the Kitchen team to ensure that all value-added and prepared food products are consistently merchandised and maintained at the highest quality.
• Work with Food & Beverage leadership to develop an integrated counter-service style food program
• Manage the Market beverage program, including a well-curated coffee, tea and non-alcoholic beverage program that reflects the core values and mission of Philo Ridge Farm.
• Integrate feedback from the Food & Beverage leadership teams as well as from guest experiences.

Leadership

• Hire, train, and coach Market staff and provide consistent team leadership and mentorship.
• Provide continuous communication, leadership and training to the team through daily staff line-ups, monthly team meetings and other formats.
• Lead the Market team in providing consistently outstanding guest experience, managing positive guest interactions with staff, and making real-time service improvements based on guest feedback.
• Celebrate the Philo Ridge Farm story and speak with passion and knowledge about our food and products to team members and Market guests.

Administration

• Develop and maintain all POS operations, cash handling, and accurate cash control systems.
• Develop and maintain all opening and closing protocols at Market workstations.
• Supervise the proper operations of Market equipment such as the espresso/coffee systems, beverage dispensing system, refrigeration units, and ice machine.
• Maintain a rigorous safety and sanitation program for the Market, including illness and injury prevention, safety meetings, and process updates, and maintain full compliance with VT Department of Health and OSHA workplace safety regulations.
• Maintain Market employee records, including performance evaluations, disciplinary write-ups, hours worked, and time off.
• Hold employees accountable to all company standards and practices, evaluate and implement disciplinary actions when necessary.

Financial Management

• Schedule and monitor labor in an efficient, productive and profitable manner, including managing market employee hours, approving and submitting payroll.
• In collaboration with Director of F&B, manage COGS, prime costs, and expenses to budget
• In collaboration with Director of F&B, manage and achieve the Market’s financial objectives by forecasting needs, preparing an annual budget, scheduling expenditures, and managing variances.

Compensation
The expected salary for this position is $75,000 annual salary, depending on prior experience.

Benefits & Perks
Employment benefits include accrued paid time off, complimentary staff meal prepared daily, health care benefits, and an employee discount on products in our market. Relocation assistance is also available for candidates who will need it.

Application Process
Candidates should send an email with “Market Manager” in the subject line to: . Qualified candidates will be contacted directly. Please include the following information in your submission:

• Cover letter
• Resume

Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, PRF encourages you to apply.

PRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, PRF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.