RUSTIC ROOTS SANCTUARY CO
Retail Operations & Sourcing Manager
RUSTIC ROOTS SANCTUARY CO
Location: Rustic Roots Sanctuary in Spanish Lake, MO
On-site at the Farm & local Farmers Markets to start the transitioning to the retail location in 2027.
Position Type: Full-Time, Hourly (35 hours/week, requires weekend availability)
Compensation
Starting Rate (Phase 1): $23.00 – $25.00 per hour (based on experience)
Store Launch Rate (Phase 2): Automatically scales to $26.50 – $28.50 per hour once the physical storefront opens.
Job Overview
At Rustic Root Sanctuary, we are cultivating more than just fresh, local food—we are building a thriving community food hub. We are seeking a dynamic, organized, and business-minded Retail Operations & Sourcing Manager to join our team on the ground level.
This role is designed to evolve. You will start by mastering our current sales channels—taking ownership of our online store operations and driving our weekend farmers market success. As you master our inventory and farm-to-sales conversions, you will begin sourcing external vendors and designing the backend infrastructure (including building a Purchase Order system) to prepare for the grand opening of our brick-and-mortar retail storefront next year (2027).
Phased Responsibilities
Phase 1: Sales Operations & Local Marketing (Immediate Focus)
E-Commerce Management: Manage the daily operations of our online storefront. This includes updating inventory, fulfilling digital orders accurately, and maintaining a seamless digital customer experience.
Farmers Market Execution: Lead our weekend farmers market operations. You will handle market logistics, drive on-site sales, engage with our community, and analyze consumer buying trends.
Inventory Tracking: Master the unique mechanics of “farm-to-sales” conversions. Track seasonal harvest yields, monitor product shelf-life, and optimize pricing to maximize velocity and minimize waste.
Boots-on-the-Ground Marketing: Partner with our digital marketer, to drive local sales. You will capture real-time photo/video content on the farm and at markets (“What’s fresh today!”), draft local customer emails, and design eye-catching physical market signage.
The Bridge: Vendor Sourcing & Curation (Mid-Year Focus)
Vendor Identification: Research, identify, and vet high-quality external vendors, local artisans, and regional producers to supplement our farm-fresh goods in the upcoming retail store.
Relationship Building: Initiate contact with potential vendors, negotiate wholesale pricing, and sample products to ensure they align with the Rustic Root Sanctuary ethos.
Phase 2: Systems Building & Retail Launch (Pre-Opening & Next Year)
PO System Design: Build and implement a structured Purchase Order (PO) system from scratch to streamline how we source and track inventory from both our own farm and external vendors.
Brick-and-Mortar Transition: Assist leadership in setting up the physical store layout, building the POS system, and creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for daily store operations.
Storefront Management: Transition into the day-to-day manager of the brick-and-mortar retail space once the doors open next year, blending our online, market, and physical storefronts into a unified operation.
Key Qualifications
Experience: 2+ years in retail operations, e-commerce fulfillment (Shopify, Square, etc.), inventory management, or local food systems.
The Systems Mindset: You love organization and are excited by the challenge of building tracking spreadsheets and PO frameworks from scratch.
Sourcing & Negotiation Savvy: Comfortable reaching out to new businesses, evaluating product quality, and negotiating vendor terms.
Communication & Content Comfort: Excellent interpersonal skills for market customers. Comfortable taking quick, high-quality photos/videos on a smartphone to pass along to our marketing lead.
Physical Stamina & Schedule: Ability to work outdoors at weekend markets, stand for extended periods, and lift up to 40 lbs.
Alignment with Mission: A genuine passion for sustainable agriculture, healthy food access, and community wellness.
Work Rules & Guardrails
To ensure fairness and clear tracking, this position uses a transparent hourly structure:
On-Site Tracking: All work—including e-commerce fulfillment and marketing content capture—must be done on-site or at designated market locations using our geofenced time-tracking app.
Schedule Balance: Shifts will be carefully structured across a strict 40-hour workweek to balance weekday farm/online tasks with required weekend market hours.
Why Join Rustic Root Sanctuary?
You aren’t just managing a cash register; you are helping build a local food institution. This role offers a rare professional runway, allowing you to master our business inside and out before taking the reins of a brand-new physical retail launch next year. Plus, enjoy a highly coveted “farm fridge” perk with access to fresh farm products!
TO APPLY: Please send resume and cover letter to info@rusticrootssanctuary.org
