E-Commerce Manager

Job Description:

E-commerce managers sell and advertise products and services on the internet.

Job Category:
Retail & Consumer

What you will do:

In this role you could:

  • research customer needs and how they respond to adverts
  • create product listings that appeal to your customers
  • work with marketing teams on social media campaigns
  • look at web traffic to measure promotion success or make improvements
  • make business decisions about products, pricing and promotions
  • work with technical teams to fix website problems
  • write management reports on sales performance
  • research competitors and keep up to date with trends in technology

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • business management skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

  • the ability to sell products and services
  • the ability to use your initiative (drive)
  • persuading skills
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to be flexible and open to change (adaptable)
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • thinking and reasoning skills to come up with new ideas
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

To become an E-Commerce Manager, specific subjects are not typically required. However, a strong educational foundation and certain skills can be advantageous for pursuing a career in e-commerce management. Here are some considerations:

  1. Business Studies or Economics: Courses in business studies or economics can provide valuable knowledge about marketing, finance, and management, which are essential for e-commerce management.
  2. Mathematics (Maths): Basic math skills are important for tasks like budgeting, financial analysis, and data interpretation in the e-commerce field.
  3. Computer Science or Information Technology: Familiarity with computer science and IT concepts is essential for understanding e-commerce platforms, website management, and online technologies.

Post School

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme

University
Companies recruit from a range of degree subjects. You may have an advantage with a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in subjects like:

  • business management
  • digital marketing
  • business enterprise
  • retail management

It’s important to gain experience during your degree through things like work shadowing, internships or year in industry placements. Your university careers service can help you to find suitable opportunities.

Apprenticeship
The following degree apprenticeships are relevant to this role:

  • digital marketer
  • express delivery manager
  • retail leadership

Work
You could start working as an assistant in a retail buying or marketing department and become an e-commerce manager through training and promotion.

Volunteering
You could get online sales skills and experience through:

  • volunteering for charities who sell items online using websites like
  • online auction sites or second hand sales sites
  • a work placement in a retail marketing department or marketing agency

Other Routes
You can apply for a graduate training scheme with a company if you have a degree.

Working Hours and Environment:

Your typical work hours could be variable.

You could work in an office.

You may need to wear smart business clothes.

Career Path & Progression:

You could:

  • move into senior management roles like sales director or chief executive
  • set up your own online business
  • work as an e-commerce consultant