Director of Vending

The Contributor, Inc.

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Job Summary

The Director of Vending is responsible for fostering radical hospitality with street newspaper vendors and leading the operations of the vendor sales office. This role involves overseeing vendor office operations, vendor training, vendor recruitment, community engagement initiatives, and database management. The ideal candidate will be passionate about creating a welcoming environment rooted in radical hospitality – a commitment to offering a free and friendly space for vendors to feel supported and empowered.  

Hours are 8 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional support on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon if there is no volunteer coverage. This role is not eligible for remote work.

Job Responsibilities

Fostering Vendor Culture with Radical Hospitality 

• Meet with the Executive Director weekly to align on goals and priorities. Help organize and co-facilitate meetings with the internal advisory group of newspaper vendors. 
• Lead by example in practicing radical hospitality, creating a warm, respectful, and inclusive atmosphere for all vendors. 
• Train volunteers on appropriate boundaries and welcoming practices when working with vendors. 
• Monitor distribution of survival gear and other items, such as jackets and bags. 
• Respond to community concerns through various communication channels. 
• Identify creative ways to engage the vendor community, gathering their input for continuous improvement (e.g., vendor engagement surveys, and advisory meetings with vendors). 

Running the Vendor Office 

• Work shifts in the vendor office with volunteers to ensure timely opening. 
• Coordinate vendor office volunteers, providing updates and training on policies, processes, and practices. 
• Monitor data integrity and cash balances daily, including cash reconciliation. 
• Enter Venmo payments daily and answer/return vendor phone line messages. 
• Sort vendor mail and update data in the database. 
• Communicate with vendors to remind them of sales goals and deadlines. 
• Complete vendor badge requests weekly, including printing and lamination. 
• Attend staff meetings and prepare for bi-weekly paper releases, including managing vendor payments and back issues. 
• Reserve back issues for vendor sales and manage inventory for annual bound books. 
• Conduct bi-weekly paper release meetings and follow up with vendors who missed purchasing the previous issue. 
• Order and manage vendor gear quarterly. 
• Review, update, and re-sign vendor contracts annually. 
• Train volunteers in effective database usage. 
• Manage and implement annual surveys of street newspaper vendors to get input for continuous improvement. 

Database Management 

• Collaborate with the FileMaker consultant to update and maintain the vendor database. 
• Work closely with staff in the housing and vendor offices to ensure the database meets their operational needs. 
• Ensure the database captures essential data for funder reporting and supports newspaper vendor office operations. 

Supporting the Vendor Office 

• Work shifts in the vendor office as needed and as available during weekdays (and weekends if available and desired). 
• Make deposits for vendor office income and complete cash balancing and report reconciliation. 
• Manage vendor territories and map badge locations monthly. 
• Answer/return vendor phone line messages daily. 

Training and Supporting Vendors 

• Interview potential vendors before inviting them to training sessions. 
• Lead vendor training classes, including the completion of required paperwork. 
• Address vendor complaints and recognize achievements, transcribe and resolve issues, and communicate relevant information to teammates. 
• Regularly review and update vendor training materials. 
• Cultivate vendor loyalty and trust through consistent, meaningful engagement. 
• Participate in relevant staff improvement pieces of training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (preferred). Other education will be considered. 
• Strong organizational and communication skills. 
• Knowledge of database management and reporting. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and a dedication to practicing radical hospitality in all vendor interactions.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to info@thecontributor.org – In the cover letter, please reflect on how your background and experiences fit with this opportunity and how you will help foster our values of story, community, and self-determination.

Details

• Date Posted: November 2, 2024
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Programs and Service Delivery
• Service Area: Housing
• Start Date: 12/01/2024
• Salary Range: $45,000-$50,000
• Working Hours: 40 hrs/wk; M-F, 8a-5p