Farm Retail Manager NEW

East Thetford, Vermont
Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center
Job DescriptionJob Description

Full-Time, Year-Round

Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center seeks a collaborative, community-minded Farm Retail Manager to steward our farmstand, café, and other retail sales channels. This role is ideal for someone who loves produce, understands seasonal farming, and is motivated by connecting people to food grown with care-while also bringing a strong, thoughtful approach to retail sales.

The Farm Retail Manager plays a key role in translating the work of our vegetable, plant and flower, and kitchen teams into welcoming, mission-aligned retail experiences. They are responsible for selling products grown and produced by other departments, as well as sourcing complementary local products that align with our organic and values-driven mission. Success in this role depends on strong cross-department collaboration, curiosity about the work of others, and the ability to communicate our story to customers with authenticity and enthusiasm.

This position works closely with the Development Director and Outreach & Engagement Coordinator to support coordinated marketing and outreach efforts. While the Retail Manager contributes ideas and on-the-ground insight, marketing strategy and implementation are guided by those roles.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Farm Retail Manager oversees daily operations of the farmstand and Hello Café, with support from the Farmstand and Café Leads. They also manage sales through farmers’ markets and wholesale accounts. As a member of the management team, the Retail Manager helps set and meet sales goals while maintaining the integrity, values, and community focus that define Cedar Circle.

While department managers oversee growing and production decisions, the Farm Retail Manager is responsible for ensuring that all farm products-including food, plants, and flowers-are accurately represented and tracked in retail systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Retail Operations & Collaboration

• Provide leadership for the day-to-day operations of the farmstand and café, with support from the Farmstand & Café Leads
• Develop, train, and retain a knowledgeable retail team focused on customer service, produce education, and mission-driven sales
• Collaborate closely with the Vegetable, Annual & Perennial, and Kitchen Managers to plan, prioritize, and effectively sell farm-produced goods
• Manage the point-of-sale system for the farmstand, café, and farmers’ markets; Coordinate with the other department managers to ensure accurate retail pricing, product setup, and sales tracking
• Ensure proper sales tax application across all retail channels, including correct tax categorization of products and coordination with administrative staff as needed
• Source and manage a curated selection of local, organic, and mission-aligned products to complement farm offerings
• Foster clear communication and strong working relationships between retail and all other departments
• Oversee merchandising, displays, and signage in collaboration with Leads, with attention to seasonality, abundance, and visual appeal
• Coordinate staffing, stocking, and merchandising for farmers’ markets with the market staff
• Manage the retail side of CSA distribution in collaboration with the Administrative Manager

Sales, Budgeting & Growth

• Develop annual retail sales projections and monitor performance in collaboration with the Executive Director
• Track sales trends and adjust purchasing, pricing, and merchandising strategies accordingly
• Participate as an active member of the management team in planning for sustainable sales growth
• Work with the Vegetable Production Manager to support and expand wholesale relationships with restaurants and local businesses

Marketing & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with the Development Director and Outreach & Engagement Coordinator to support coordinated marketing and outreach efforts
• Share retail insights, seasonal highlights, and customer feedback to inform broader marketing strategies
• Represent Cedar Circle’s mission and values in all customer-facing interactions
• Support farm events, festivals, and educational programs as appropriate

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 2-3 years of leadership experience in a retail environment, ideally food- or farm-based
• Strong knowledge of seasonal produce and familiarity with Vermont or New England-grown foods
• Experience training, supervising, and motivating staff
• Comfort working with sales data, budgets, and spreadsheets
• Experience or working knowledge of sales tax requirements for food and retail products, including proper product categorization
• Experience using and managing point-of-sale systems, including back-end functions such as inventory, reporting, pricing, and item setup for diverse product types (produce, prepared foods, plants, and flowers)
• Genuine enthusiasm for vegetables, local food systems, and organic agriculture
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working style
• Ability to work effectively across departments and within a management team

Preferred

• Additional experience in retail or sales management with demonstrated success
• Knowledge of produce handling, storage, and display best practices
• Interest in and curiosity about plants, flowers, and native species is a plus
• Experience sourcing local products or working with small vendors
• Strong visual merchandising skills and an eye for abundance and beauty
• Knowledge of and enthusiasm for organic and regenerative agriculture

COMPENSATION

The Farm Retail Manager is a full time year-round position. Benefits include: health insurance (premium 100% employer paid, 50% paid for minor dependents); paid personal, sick, and parental leave; a 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer safe harbor match; short-term disability insurance (100% employer paid), 20% discount at our farmstand; 50% off summer camps for dependents; and access to an employee assistance program. Pay is $23-27 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Cedar Circle Farm is an EEO/AA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Company DescriptionCedar Circle Farm and Education Center is a nonprofit, certified organic farm located on over 50 acres of conserved land along the Connecticut River in East Thetford, Vermont. Our organization has a deep commitment to developing organic regenerative agriculture systems for our annual vegetable and flower production and to offering educational programming that builds connections between our food, ecosystems, and community.
Our farm is a community hub with a farmstand, retail greenhouses, a farm kitchen, a coffee shop, a cut flower garden, education programs, and unique CSA options. It’s a place where folks can learn about and deepen their appreciation for organic regenerative agriculture.
Our staff is a reflection of our community and is the most essential aspect of our farm. When you join our dynamic team, you’ll have the opportunity to make valuable contributions to our greater mission of promoting organic, regenerative farming and the transition to a localized food economy!Company DescriptionCedar Circle Farm and Education Center is a nonprofit, certified organic farm located on over 50 acres of conserved land along the Connecticut River in East Thetford, Vermont. Our organization has a deep commitment to developing organic regenerative agriculture systems for our annual vegetable and flower production and to offering educational programming that builds connections between our food, ecosystems, and community.

Our farm is a community hub with a farmstand, retail greenhouses, a farm kitchen, a coffee shop, a cut flower garden, education programs, and unique CSA options. It’s a place where folks can learn about and deepen their appreciation for organic regenerative agriculture.

Our staff is a reflection of our community and is the most essential aspect of our farm. When you join our dynamic team, you’ll have the opportunity to make valuable contributions to our greater mission of promoting organic, regenerative farming and the transition to a localized food economy!