E-commerce Manager Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an E-commerce Manager. Feel free to use our E-commerce Manager job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an E-commerce Manager.
Who is an E-commerce Manager?
Electronic commerce, or e-commerce, is the electronic buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. Additionally, it can refer to additional online activities such as auctions, ticketing, and banking.
Different businesses have varying definitions of what an e-commerce manager is, does, and manages. Is it up to the industry to determine where the emphasis will be placed?
While some businesses consider e-commerce management to be a marketing function, others assign it to IT. At the same time, others view it as a necessary component of web design and development. And then some have progressed beyond the e-commerce manager role. The CMO or CCO is ultimately accountable for the online business in these instances.
Until recently, the e-commerce website was the responsibility of IT professionals, engineers, and programmers. Therefore, whether in web design or development: insanity! To be successful in today’s world, an organization’s e-commerce activities must be delegated to a professional e-commerce manager. Additionally, for an e-commerce initiative to succeed, the business will require a unique type of manager.
To succeed in the intended role of e-commerce within an organization, an e-commerce manager cannot simply be a programmer, marketer, or web developer, but must have knowledge and experience in all three areas. Someone who is capable of doing it all, or at the very least comprehending it. He/she is aware of the best methods for facilitating professionals from these disparate fields. A good e-commerce manager is familiar with the IT, web development, and marketing departments’ roles and responsibilities. He/she is capable of establishing interfaces with those departments to shape and publicize the company’s e-commerce site.
Does this mean that an e-commerce manager must be familiar with the specifics of each of those roles? No. ‘Understanding’ is the keyword here. The e-commerce manager’s role is to identify and develop the specifications necessary for the creation and management of the e-commerce website. They have a firm grasp on the responsibilities of each department and their role within the larger whole. The task at hand is management, not administration: The e-commerce manager serves as the company’s evangelist for e-commerce, acting as a diplomat, paving the way for the organization’s various activities through the promotion and management of e-commerce.
E-commerce managers are in charge of a retailer’s entire e-commerce presence. They manage the assortment, choose products for sale, and manage returns.
They are primarily responsible for planning and further development of the shop’s appearance, as well as acting as a liaison between various specialist departments. These include web design agencies, in-house marketing departments, development, IT, and public relations firms.
Additionally, e-commerce managers are responsible for the management of incoming payments and returns, as well as the analysis of sales statistics to optimize the product range and target advertising.
Ultimately, an e-commerce manager’s primary objective is to increase conversion rates or the rate of purchases generated by shop visitors.
Essentially, e-commerce managers work in an industry that sells a product. They are primarily involved in the retail and business-to-consumer sectors.
An e-commerce manager’s areas of expertise include e-commerce strategies, technology, associated capital requirements, and online media tactics. It is critical to have a firm grasp of social and legal policy. E-commerce managers must be sponges, constantly learning from their peers and the competition. They must be knowledgeable about the most cutting-edge e-commerce solutions and technologies.
The e-commerce manager is also responsible for online branding, staying current on industry trends and website quality, handling legal issues, marketing the website, and developing the business plan. However, they are primarily responsible for defining the e-commerce vision and associated policies. They are unfazed by the prospect of having to redefine something; they use e-commerce to support organizational objectives, and when these evolve, they are not afraid to rethink the website. The perpetual art of communicating the appropriate message to the appropriate target group.
E-commerce Manager Job Description
Below are the E-commerce Manager job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an E-commerce Manager job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an E-commerce Manager include the following:
- Supervising the overall development of a business’s products and revenue-generating websites
- Conducting research on the most appealing user-friendly features and layouts for customers
- Implementing platform updates that increase customer acquisition and retention
- Analyzing sales insights and incorporating them into informed sales strategies
- Managing teams of copywriters, graphic designers, and software developers to create e-commerce websites that are attractive, user-friendly, and engaging.
- Creating promotional offers and ensuring that they are displayed correctly on the website
- Evaluating legal disclaimers and website content for compliance, accuracy, and brand consistency
- Supervising the Design and Development of Websites
- Creating and Implementing roadmaps
- Conducting oversight of all activities and product development Collaborate closely with web development and technical teams
- Preparing reports and analyzing conversion rates.
- Creating SEO/Pay-Per-Click (PPC) strategies and marketing plans
- Establishing Schedules and Timelines
Other important tasks include the following:
- Understanding the company’s strategy and objectives
One of the most critical responsibilities of the E-commerce Manager is to fully understand the company’s strategy and objectives. Every digital marketing decision should be guided by the overall business strategy. If a business lacks a well-defined strategy, the manager should assist in developing one. When developing a plan, the E-commerce Manager should keep company objectives in mind, such as revenue, conversion rate, and so on.
- Becoming acquainted with the customer
If you do not know who your customers are, you will be unable to sell to them effectively. This is why the E-commerce Manager’s knowledge of buyer personas and customer profiles is critical. Again, if these resources are not already available within the organization, the manager is responsible for assisting in their development.
- Familiarize yourself with the product
The E-commerce manager must be able to communicate the value of a product clearly, which requires a thorough understanding of the product. This is especially true if you are selling complex products; you must be able to write product descriptions that make sense to non-experts. If you’re simply copying and pasting industry jargon into your product descriptions, your product pages will fail to convert.
- Familiarity with the Systems
As an E-commerce Manager, you will typically be responsible for Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC), Customer Management Systems (CMS), web development, social media, email marketing, the checkout, and payment processing, among other E-commerce-related solutions. Each of these facets necessitates the use of separate management software. The E-commerce Manager must have access to and use all of these systems to manage their teams effectively.
- Constructing Action Plans
Now that you understand the business’s strategy, customers, product, and systems, you can create an action plan for your E-commerce team that includes short-term tasks. This plan should include innovative marketing strategies and concrete steps for increasing online sales.
- Collaboration Across Teams
Apart from supervising your team, the E-commerce Manager is also accountable for collaborating with other departments such as the product team, operations, and customer service. These teams will need to be aware of upcoming projects. Additionally, they’ll likely have some projects in mind for your team to work on.
- Research and Development
The E-commerce Manager will stay current on developments in the world of e-marketing. Additionally, they will research the company’s core demographics and the most effective methods of reaching them to maximize search engine traffic and the effectiveness of the company’s targeted advertising purchases.
- Supervision, Personnel Selection, and Training
The E-commerce Manager will be responsible for overseeing the entire e-commerce division and assigning tasks to employees. Additionally, they will be responsible for conducting interviews, recommending candidates to upper management, and providing necessary training.
- Budgeting and Financial Planning
Generally, E-commerce Managers are assigned a budget by upper management for their division. The E-commerce manager’s role is to plan well in advance for e-marketing expenses and develop a financial plan that maximizes their resources.
- Development and Presentation of Projects
The E-commerce Manager will interface directly with upper management and present their plans for any new developments or initiatives aimed at enhancing the company’s online presence and e-commerce sales.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in marketing management, business, information systems, or a related field is required.
- It is preferable if you have completed a relevant sales qualification.
- Proven track record as an e-commerce manager.
- Proven track record of developing sales-boosting strategies.
- Solid understanding of current e-commerce procedures and techniques.
- Supervisory, research, and unmatched troubleshooting abilities.
- Outstanding consulting and quality assurance skills.
- Capacity to adapt easily to the demands of ever-evolving technological implements.
Essential Skills
- Set an example
If you want certain activities and procedures to be followed, you must set an example. It is no longer acceptable or productive to say “do this” or “do that” without first demonstrating how the task is to be accomplished. Employees seek empowerment and motivation, not intimidation and fear.
- Knowledge of fundamental information technology
IT is an abbreviation for information technology. And, while there are various levels of IT, and an e-commerce manager is not required to understand everything, they do need to have some basic IT skills and a working knowledge of how the internet works. E-commerce sites will invariably require IT support at some point. The goal is to have an e-commerce manager who can handle the minor details and keep the site online as much as possible.
- Transparency
Businesses that are transparent and open are more likely to attract customers who believe in the services and products offered on their websites. E-commerce managers should strive to maintain a high level of transparency with potential clients and investors to secure funding and sales and avoid the perception that their site is concealing something.
- Manager Engagement
E-commerce managers cannot sit in their offices and expect other men and women to do the work for them. They must be doers to motivate others to do the same. Engagement with both employees and the customers they serve is critical for establishing the perception of personality desired in online commerce. When potential clients see that you are actively involved in the decision-making process, the provision of services, and the execution of sales and day-to-day processes, they will view the business less as a corporate entity and more as a service provider.
- Knowledge of SEO
SEO is the lifeblood of a website. Managers must be aware of the current requirements for ranking highly on search engine results pages (SERPs). It is insufficient for a manager to type a blog or two, or to create a click ad campaign haphazardly in the hope of driving traffic and securing sales. A thorough understanding of Google, Bing, and Yahoo’s search engine optimization algorithms is required. Without these, your website will go unnoticed and your sales will suffer.
- Capacity to present novel solutions
If you asked the top marketing percentile how they became successful in business, many would respond that they identified a problem and presented the solution to the world. You are not selling a product or a service; rather, you are selling a solution. Bear in mind that people desire empowerment. While it is true that you are selling something, at the end of the day, a person wants to be able to look back and say, “I resolved this issue.”
Persuasion
When someone shops online and is interested in a particular product, they will use Price Comparison Websites (possibly even Wiser or Automatch) to find the best deals. Successful E-commerce managers will be able to convince clients that the expense is worthwhile. Whether this is accomplished through superior product presentation, superior training, and support, or simply having a superior product, the manager’s job is to secure the sale and earn the customer’s loyalty.
How to Become an E-commerce Manager
Excellent e-commerce managers should be well-versed in the use of fundamental SEO, sales, and marketing tools. Additionally, they should have some management experience to effectively lead multiple departments. To succeed as an e-commerce manager, follow these steps:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree
Most employers require at least a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, information technology, communications, or a related field for e-commerce managers. Consider enrolling in several technical courses, such as web design and web development, to ensure that you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals of creating user-friendly platforms. These programs may also include courses in areas such as data management, online communication, search engine optimization, and online transactions that will help you excel in your role.
- Acquire practical experience
Before pursuing a management position, you must gain practical experience in marketing, sales, or information technology. Spend time learning how various marketing and sales platforms operate and gaining experience updating the business’s website to gain a better understanding of how to optimize it. Working in sales and marketing also teaches you about brand development, as you establish and reinforce your company’s brand standards to ensure that all marketing and sales materials accurately reflect the company’s image.
Additionally, various marketing roles teach you how to analyze customer data to gain a better understanding of their purchasing behaviors and purchasing habits and how to interpret them correctly. Years spent in these roles equip you to lead your team of marketing and sales professionals. Once in charge of your team, you can advise and guide them based on your knowledge and experience gained in the role.
- Obtain certifications online
As you progress through sales and marketing positions, seek out new opportunities to expand your skillset on your own. Taking online courses and tutorials is an effective way to earn money while learning about search engine optimization best practices, content management systems, and marketing software systems.
Earning certifications in a variety of subject areas and applications can help you stand out when listing them on resumes. Additionally, it can impress your current supervisor, who may feel compelled to promote you to an e-commerce manager role, where you can apply your newly acquired skills to higher-level tasks and teach them to subordinates.
- Maintain your educational pursuits
While the majority of employers require bachelor’s degrees, some may prefer candidates with master’s degrees in business, marketing, communications, or a related field. Even if employers do not require this qualification, consider including it on your resume to effectively stand out to hiring managers. You can continue your education immediately following completion of your undergraduate degree or while working in your current role on evenings and weekends.
Where to Work as an E-commerce Manager
E-commerce managers work in a variety of online stores and online marketplace.
E-commerce Manager Salary Scale
The average annual salary for an e-commerce manager in the United States is $65,708.