Common Ground Country Fair Manager

Overview of Responsibilities: This position is responsible for managing administrative and retail operations for MOFGA’s Common Ground Country Fair. Reporting to the CGCF Director, this role manages exhibitor application workflows, the Fair’s CRM system, and drives retail operations by leading the Country Store budget, inventory forecasting, and vendor coordination. Additionally, the Manager assists with overall Fair budgeting, revenue forecasting, and stipend processing.

The Manager supervises the CGCF and Store Assistant, conducts volunteer training, and manages the Fair Office as the central hub for vendor support and inquiries. Responsibilities also include updating digital and print materials, as well as assisting with Fair set-up and clean-up.

Supervisor: Common Ground Country Fair Director

Work Week: Full time, generally Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional weekend hours required. Extended hours required around and including the Common Ground Country Fair.

Position: Salaried. Federal Fair Labor Standards Act Exempt. This employee is not eligible for overtime payment. This position is not eligible for MOFGA’s collective bargaining unit.

Location: This position is based at MOFGA’s office in Unity, Maine. Work is primarily on-site, requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office starting in the summer, and full-time on-site presence during September. A flexible hybrid work schedule may be arranged for the remainder of the year and can be discussed during the hiring process.

Salary and Benefits: The salary range for this position is $58,000-63,000 annually depending upon experience. MOFGA has an excellent benefits package, including paid medical, dental and vision insurance, and parental leave. Employees receive a generous paid time off package, including vacation and sick time, three personal days, two week-long office closures, 14 paid holidays annually, and a sabbatical after seven years of employment

Minimum Qualifications:

• Passion for organic farming, gardening, and community-based work in Maine.
• Experience planning and executing events while managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage a high volume of administrative data.
• Outstanding written, proofreading, and interpersonal communication skills across diverse stakeholders (staff, volunteers, vendors, and the public).
• Demonstrated success leading, supervising, and training small teams and volunteers.
• Strong computer literacy: including CRM databases, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, website content management, and an aptitude for learning new systems.
• Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to take initiative where appropriate.

Responsibilities:

Overall:

• Coordinate CGCF Planning Team members to ensure that exhibitor correspondence, applications, contracts, and guidelines are updated and accurate each year.
• Manage all elements of exhibitor applications, contracts and Fair Office correspondence to ensure we have all required paperwork and information.
• Provide support and oversight, as necessary, to Planning Team members to ensure that planning and implementation of all areas are completed on time and follow MOFGA policies and Fair and Area guidelines.
• Manage and facilitate the Fair CRM; and ensure all CGCF information is entered accurately.
• Manage relations and communicate effectively with Country Store third-party vendors regarding Fair merchandise, including forecasting future inventory, ordering and order management.
• Coordinate and place the ribbon order by discount deadline to ensure all ribbons will be available for the upcoming Fair.
• Assist in increasing diversity at the Fair and helping MOFGA advance their diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work.
• Coordinate the review process of Food Area applications, providing ongoing support to Food Vendors in collaboration with the Food Liaison.
• Write and manage distribution of communications with the Fair Steering Committee, Planning Team and CGCF participants.
• Update CGCF website content in collaboration with the Communications Team.
• Supervise and train the CGCF Fair and Store Assistant to ensure a positive work environment that meets the goals of the Fair and facilitates volunteers working with the Fair office team.
• Attend all Fair Steering Committee (FSC) meetings and represent the Fair at MOFGA committee meetings and meetings outside of regular business hours, as needed and directed by the CGCF Director.
• Assist CGCF Director with compilation of the Fairbook and other internal and external communications as needed.

Annual CGCF Planning:

• Participate in on-site Fair set-up and clean-up as needed.
• Coordinate the operation of the Fair office during the Fair, including, being the primary resource for vendors during set-up and Fair weekend regarding fees, tickets, coordinating office volunteers, answering phone & email inquiries, selling ice, being a communication hub for Fair participants, and more.
• Record and report Fair participant stipends and payments.
• Assist CGCF Director with preparation of annual stipend report to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (MDACF).
• Assist CGCF Director with projecting the annual budget for all Fair generated revenue streams including tickets, merchandise, booth fees, and other Fair related fees.
• Procure goods and services for the CGCF as needed.
• Participate and lead aspects of an annual Post-Fair review, reporting, surveys, and lesson learned sessions around the review of CGCF systems and procedures.
• Other duties as needed.
• Carry out all of the responsibilities listed above in accordance with the mission statement, goals, and philosophy of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is a broad-based community that supports farmers, empowers people to feed their communities, and advocates for an organic future. Our vision is a future where local organic farming nourishes all people, and sustains thriving ecosystems, healthy communities, and fair economies. MOFGA is committed to creating an inclusive and sustainable workplace that reflects this mission. MOFGA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We strongly encourage BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as veterans to apply.