E-commerce manager

E-commerce managers develop digital strategies to increase online sales, improve customer experience and strengthen a company's brand.

Also known as: Online trading manager

• Starter salary£25,000 a year
• Experienced£60,000 a year
• Typical hours40 to 45 a week

What you'll do

As an e-commerce manager, you could:

• plan strategies to build brand awareness and increase sales
• develop the online retail platform in response to customer needs
• analyse and report on website performance
• work with marketing teams on social media campaigns
• make sure the business complies with data protection laws
• manage budgets, research competitors and keep up to date with trends in technology

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• the ability to sell products and services
• business management skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• persuading skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• leadership skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to become a e-commerce manager

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• 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 a subject like:

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

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, for example:

• Digital Marketer
• Express Delivery Manager
• Retail Leadership

These degree apprenticeships can take between 3 and 4 years to complete. They combine on-the-job training with time spent with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Work

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

Direct application

You can apply for e-commerce manager jobs directly if you've got experience and qualifications in:

• digital marketing
• social media management
• business and project management
• web analytics and search engine optimisation (SEO)

Other routes

You can apply for a graduate training scheme with an e-commerce company if you have a degree.

If successful, you'll spend time in different departments, learning about:

• digital marketing
• product development processes
• brand management
• leadership

Career path and progression

With experience, 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
• specialise in a particular area of e-commerce, for example business to business (B2B) or direct to customer (D2C)

Career tips

When you work might differ depending on the location of your clients, for example if they're based overseas.

Guides for this industry

• IT & Technology: pay, interviews and getting started →

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• Job roleMarketing executive
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