Management of a Marketplace

The Project

Tarik Akhdar project focuses on supporting the agricultural and agri-food sector in transitioning towards ecological and social sustainability.

As part of this initiative, we aim to develop a marketplace in Ein Zebdeh under the Tarik Akhdar project to promote local, and sustainable products. The marketplace will feature products made by people in Ein Zebdeh region (with surrounding municipalities), including fresh vegetables and fruits, handcrafts, artisanal products, cosmetics, agroecology products such as compost, seeds, and seedlings, as well as clothing, footwear, and Home & Kitchen Essentials. It is mandatory that all products featured on the marketplace need to be made in Lebanon, supporting local businesses and contributing to the economic development of the Ein Zebdeh region.

This TOR aims to recruit a cluster of people including a Marketplace Manager, Operations & Logistics Officer, and Quality Control & Accounting Officer, in order to support the marketplace’s operations and ensure its efficient functioning, expansion, and sustainability.

Scope of work

1. Marketplace Manager

The marketplace manager will be in charge of:

• Managing and maintaining the coordination of the marketplace’s needs
• Managing and organizing the marketplace; this includes:
  • Organizing and supervising the weekly farmer’s market
  • Organizing and supervising all events during the market
• Developing activation events at the marketplace, the objective is to create as many events as possible during the year to increase traffic and linkage:
  • Implementing regular marketplace events (Mouneh day, flower festival, etc.)
  • Developing new events and activities with new partners
  • Maintaining a calendar of events all year long
  • Coordinating with the various municipalities
• Handling the relationships with artisans, farmers, producers & others, and following up with their complaints and suggestions.
• Preparing the weekly marketplace report
• Dealing with the marketplace partners and official bodies (such as Ein Zebdeh municipality, other municipalities for regional events, events partners, etc.)
• Manage the team of the cluster and play the role of the focal points with the municipalities
• Organizing meetings when needed and following up on actions and implementation.

The manager will also be responsible for the sales and marketing of the marketplace by:

• Directing and coordinating activities involving sales of fruits, vegetables, Mouneh, crafts, and all the other products.
• Reviewing operational records and reports and determining profitability.
• Conducting Business Development via outreaching relevant local producers.
• Ensuring that stores and shelves, are stocked with the right types and quantities of products.
• Conducting the proper business development practices to acquire new producers into Ein Zebdeh marketplace’s portfolio.
• Handling, overseeing, and ensuring a successful implementation of marketing campaigns.
• Creating the right CRM strategy including receiving customer feedback and developing scripts for the helpline.
• Evaluating and tracking the effectiveness of marketing initiatives while reporting findings.
• Continuously monitoring the market, upcoming trends, and competitive moves.

1. Quality Control & Accounting Officer

The Quality Control & Accounting Officer will be in charge of the following:

• Handling QA Protocol and assisting in the induction process.
• Flagging malfunctions and following up on improvements.
• Ensuring that products meet the standards set by both the QA Protocol and regulatory authorities.
• Developing and reviewing existing safety and quality policies.
• Inspecting the marketplace for compliance and identifying any areas of concern.
• Investigating customer complaints and taking constructive actions with producers.
• Preparing reports on products’ quality and suggesting modules to improve.
• Setting Standard Operating Procedures for receiving and storage.
• Ensuring to apply hap-hazard regulations and norms set by the Lebanese government and/or international bodies (HACCP, SQFI…)

In terms of accounting, this officer will be responsible for:

• Managing accounting activities for the marketplace, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger entries.
• Performing reconciliations of marketplace transactions and ensure accuracy in financial records.
• Generating financial reports and analysis to track marketplace performance and identify trends.
• Collaborating with internal teams to optimize financial processes and systems for the marketplace.
• Supporting audits and reviews related to marketplace financial activities.

1. Operations and Logistics Officer

The Operations and Logistics Officer will be responsible for

• Overseeing the good handling of the premises at the marketplace.
• Following up on the needs of the premises.
• Coordinate and oversee all operational activities related to the marketplace.
• Monitor and optimize supply chain processes to ensure timely delivery of products to the marketplace so that stands are well filled while insuring stand management as per the guidelines.
• Collaborate with marketplace participants within the stands to streamline operations and improve delivery performance.
• Coordinate inbound and outbound logistics operations, including transportation, and entry to the marketplace, to ensure efficient movement of goods.
• Manage relationships with transportation companies to negotiate rates, track shipments, and resolve delivery issues within the area of Ein Zebdeh.
• Develop and implement strategies for optimizing shipping routes, reducing shipping costs, and improving delivery times.

1. Qualifications and experience

1. Marketplace Manager

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in marketplace management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and expanding marketplaces.

1. Quality Control & Accounting Officer

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in food quality control and assurance.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in quality control and accounting
• Proficiency in food safety regulations and best practices, encompassing HACCP principles.
• Knowledge in accounting principles and work
• Proficiency in accounting software

1. Operations and Logistics Officer

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in logistics and operations management.
• Proficiency in logistics software and tools.