Student Jobs

Mango Man Cooks! is a Madison-based small food business producing specialty sauces made locally in Wisconsin. Our products are sold through local retailers, farmers markets, festivals, online sales, and community events. As a growing small business, our team members have opportunities to gain hands-on experience in sales, marketing, food production, customer engagement, and small-business operations.

This is flexible, event-based seasonal work during November and December. Employees do not need to be available for every event and may work only the markets that fit their availability. Our current priority dates are Saturdays November 7, 14, 21 & 28 and December 5, 12 & 19; Sundays December 6 & 20; and weekdays December 14–18 and December 21–23. Market shifts vary by event and include required setup and teardown time. Some assignments may also include paid driving time, and occasional travel or overnight opportunities may be available. Additional market dates may be added as the season progresses.

Mango Man Cooks! is hiring outgoing, dependable Holiday Market Sales Specialists for local markets and events during our busy holiday season. This is a hands-on sales and marketing position where you’ll gain experience in customer engagement, event marketing, product promotion, social-media content creation, and independent event operations. You’ll introduce customers to our sauces, offer samples, make sales, create content from events, and help turn market customers into long-term Mango Man customers.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Actively approach and engage customers, introduce our products, and make sales
• Tell the Mango Man story and help customers understand our products and how to use them
• Prepare and offer product samples, including simple hot food samples such as quesadillas
• Handle customer payments and maintain accurate sales and product counts
• Help create social-media content from events, including photos, short videos, and raw footage
• Encourage customers to follow Mango Man, join our email/recipe list, and reorder online
• Transport products, equipment, and market materials as needed
• Set up and break down market displays, which may range from a simple indoor display to a full outdoor setup with tent, tables, sampling equipment, and product displays
• After training, independently operate assigned markets and events
• Clean up, return materials, and reconcile sales and inventory after events

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for people who are:

• Outgoing, positive, energetic, and dependable
• Comfortable approaching people and starting conversations
• Genuinely willing to sell, not simply wait for customers to approach
• Comfortable working independently and taking responsibility for an assigned market
• Able to communicate comfortably with customers in English
• Able to handle the physical work involved in transporting products and setting up and breaking down market equipment
• Comfortable preparing and serving food samples safely
• Available for at least some of our priority holiday market dates

Most positions require a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Experience driving a larger vehicle is helpful but not required; orientation can be provided.

COMPENSATION

$20/hour for market work, including required setup and teardown, plus sales incentives based on total event sales:

• $1,000+ in sales — 5% of total sales ($50+ incentive)
• $1,500+ — 7% ($105+ incentive)
• $2,000+ — 10% ($200+ incentive)

Required business driving time is paid at $15/hour.

Mango Man Cooks! provides business vehicles for most markets. When an eligible employee uses a personal vehicle for required business travel, we provide a company-set vehicle reimbursement above the cost of gas, in addition to paid driving time.

For assignments requiring an overnight stay, accommodations are arranged and paid for by Mango Man Cooks!

HOLIDAY MARKET SCHEDULE

Saturdays: November 7, 14, 21 & 28 and December 5, 12 & 19
Sundays: December 6 & 20
Weekdays: December 14–18 and December 21–23

This is flexible, event-based work that can fit around a student schedule. You do not need to be available for every market date. Additional dates may become available.

Successful holiday-season employees will receive priority consideration for additional spring opportunities.

ABOUT MANGO MAN COOKS!

Mango Man Cooks! is a Madison-based food business producing small-batch specialty sauces for retail stores, online customers, farmers markets, festivals, and other events. We focus on high-quality products made locally in Wisconsin.

APPLY

https://forms.gle/AaQ5DB3oRKYK98qA8

Markets begin soon!

Above all, this is an active sales position. We are looking for outgoing, positive, dependable people who are comfortable approaching customers, starting conversations, demonstrating products, and actively working to make sales rather than waiting for customers to approach. Applicants should be comfortable working independently and taking responsibility for an assigned market, communicating confidently with customers in English, safely preparing and serving food samples, and handling the physical work involved in transporting products and setting up and breaking down market equipment. Most positions require a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Previous sales, marketing, food service, or event experience is helpful but not required; enthusiasm for selling, reliability, and willingness to engage customers are essential.

Please complete the application as thoroughly as possible, including your availability for our priority holiday market dates. Selected applicants will be contacted to schedule a brief virtual interview.