HVCWC Taste NY Marketing & Operations Coordinator - Central Valley, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The HVCWC Taste NY Marketing & Operations Coordinator provides marketing, clerical, administrative, and operational support to the Hudson Valley Catskills Welcome Center and Taste NY market at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, New York, as well as shoptasteny.com and related pop-up markets. The role supports the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets-funded project, program staff, visitors, and the Market Manager, and involves moderately complex tasks performed with moderate initiative and discretion. The coordinator supports customer service and reception, informal public education about New York State farmers and producers, product merchandising, sales, purchasing, inventory, vendor information, facilities, events, and administrative processes. Responsibilities also include maintaining POS and IT systems and cash controls, preparing educational and marketing materials, managing social media, coordinating events and site access, transporting inventory, and helping maintain a safe, clean, visually appealing retail environment. The position requires regular travel and lifting and moving products, supplies, and equipment. It is a benefits-eligible, non-exempt, part-time position of 30 hours per week, paid at $23.39 per hour.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or equivalent education; a GED/high school diploma plus one year of transferable program or functional experience may substitute.
Experience relevant to the role.
Ability to drive a personal or Association vehicle to pick up and deliver products between the warehouse and Woodbury Commons Market; a valid New York State driver’s license and an acceptable driving record for agency insurance coverage are required.
Proficiency with Windows-based software, including Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel.
Experience using social media platforms, particularly Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Ability to prioritize and organize responsibilities in collaboration with the immediate supervisor.
Demonstrated integrity, sound professional judgment, and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions and take responsibility with general guidelines and direction.
Ability to participate effectively in professional team efforts.
Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences while maintaining cultural sensitivity.
Ability to manage an informal, education-based retail environment and provide positive public education and customer service experiences.
Strong English communication skills, including clear and tactful verbal, written, and electronic communication.
Flexibility to work varied hours according to the market schedule, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to work in a retail setting, maneuver around the sales floor, stockroom, off-site storage, and office, and operate a POS register, office computer, and other equipment.
Ability to frequently lift, move, and transport 20–50 pounds of market products, supplies, and equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to organize, manage, and prioritize multiple tasks, deadlines, requirements, and priorities to complete work on time.
Acceptable background check results.

Nice To Haves

Experience working effectively in collective team efforts.
Ability to identify and use local community resources.
Proficiency or basic experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva.
Experience marketing local agricultural products, selling retail food, and promoting agritourism.
Knowledge of basic marketing strategies, advertising, and product distribution.
Experience purchasing, storing, and marketing local agricultural and/or retail food products.
Experience with local food display, merchandising, sales, and agritourism promotion.
Experience working directly with farmers and artisanal manufacturers.
Familiarity with basic financial records of sales and marketing trends.
Demonstrated problem-solving ability.
Ability to manage inventory, collect recommendations, and identify top-selling products.
Proficiency with market and communication apps, QR codes, and other retail-related technologies.

Responsibilities

Participate in administrative and program team discussions and contribute to developing policies, procedures, planning, and evaluation systems.
Draft annual and monthly social media marketing plans with the supervisor and program staff, using established priorities and relevant sales and marketing trends.
Assist in planning and administering the Welcome Center, the Taste NY market, and regional pop-up markets; support program activations and partner relationships.
Contribute to Taste NY brand awareness, project implementation processes, and educational program planning for producers and consumers.
Assist with cash controls, including counting and balancing the safe and register, bank deposits, and issuing and reconciling receipts.
Review sales data and payments for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness; protect confidential enrollment, registration, and payment information.
Assist with product selection, purchasing, ordering, receiving, inventory management, and corrective action for operational issues.
Answer general inquiries and correspondence through email, phone, voicemail, social media, website, and mail, using approved responses or referring inquiries to appropriate staff.
Connect producers with relevant resources and maintain accessible displays at the Central Valley market and pop-up markets.
Assist with product ordering, receiving, inventory, merchandising, and storage in consultation with the Manager and Assistant Manager.
Update participant promotional materials as directed and support trust-based working relationships with diverse participants, partners, and community organizations.
Develop, edit, format, and publish documents, releases, reports, and marketing materials; assist with their preparation, distribution, proofreading, and mailing.
Maintain organized and current files, databases, vendor information, facilities and office supply inventories, and program data records.
Use software and databases for routine data collection, data entry, and report generation.
Operate and maintain office and retail equipment, including POS systems, copiers, computers, calculators, and postage meters; troubleshoot issues and coordinate repairs.
Coordinate Welcome Center and Taste NY event schedules; review calendars and arrange refreshments, room setup, and cleanup.
Support operational communications with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, Empire State Development, Simon Properties, and contractors according to established procedures.
Coordinate marketing across print, news, social media, and multimedia channels, and coordinate with external vendors for pop-up markets.
Organize Welcome Center programming and activities in interior and exterior spaces; collect evaluation and needs-assessment data according to existing guidelines.
Coordinate inventory and monthly shrink records, track sales with partners, and procure products based on season, geography, and sales trends.
Collect vendor data for contract reporting and program assessment; ensure timely delivery of inventory invoices and purchase orders to accounting.
Transport products, supplies, and equipment to and from storage, pop-up events, and other locations; assist with cash handling and off-site errands.
Submit expense reports promptly and provide routine clerical and retail services as cashier, stock clerk, and utility clerk.
Develop and pursue a professional development plan with the supervisor and/or Executive Director, and support Cornell Cooperative Extension activities and other assigned duties.
Help maintain a safe working environment, follow applicable safety requirements, prevent accidents and injuries, and communicate identified hazards.
Maintain respectful and professional interactions, follow Association policies and procedures, and perform assigned duties accurately and on time.