There’s no “I” in the word team and certainly no “I” in eCommerce.
While it’s easy for many budding entrepreneurs to believe that they can “do it all,” that won’t necessarily lead you to success. A prosperous eCommerce business is backed by a strong team that, at the minimum, should include these five eCommerce job descriptions.
Whether you are just starting or aiming to scale your eCommerce business, a strong team will make all the difference.
It can feel a bit overwhelming knowing your team’s needs, especially when you’re just starting. To help you out, here’s a compiled list of the five basic eCommerce job descriptions that you should include when assembling your eCommerce team.
Ecommerce Job Descriptions #1: Director of Ecommerce
The Director of Ecommerce is a quintessential role for an eCommerce team.
This position oversees the eCommerce operations and ensures that everything is running smoothly in the big picture. Similar to an Executive Director of a nonprofit, the eCommerce job description for this role means having a hand on virtually every smaller division of the business.
They are responsible for leading the strategy, executing ambitious goals, and managing the eCommerce team.
The Director of Ecommerce has to see the big picture and understand the overall goals to direct the team and different departments along the right path. Their primary focus is on the strategy for how their eCommerce business is going to succeed.
* Sometimes, if eCommerce is only a facet of the business, this role is filled by a CEO or other higher management level.
Director of Ecommerce Essential Responsibilities
- Oversees buying, web sales, and overall user experience;
- Manages contracts and partnerships;
- Uses previous experience in sales, marketing, technology, and management to develop the strongest brand and best shopping experience for the customer; and
- Utilizes knowledge of eCommerce technologies and tactics such as with product experience management (PXM), product information management (PIM), digital asset management (DAM), mobile device management (MDM) software, and knows how to analyze the data collected.
Ecommerce Job Descriptions #2: Ecommerce Manager
Similar to the Director of Ecommerce, the Ecommerce Manager is another essential eCommerce job description needed for the team. This position is where a budding eCommerce entrepreneur will most likely fall into as they begin their journey.
While the Director of Ecommerce handles the strategic oversight, the Ecommerce Manager puts that strategy into action working with the separate departments. They should be constantly aware of the overall goal promoted by the Director of Ecommerce. This position’s eCommerce job description centers around the processes and details of “how” that strategy will be implemented.
In eCommerce, the focus is all about the product. Every system needs to be analyzed to end with a satisfied customer ultimately. These systems include the whole process from the online buying experience to fulfillment. The Ecommerce Manager ensures that all of those systems run smoothly.
Ecommerce Manager Essential Responsibilities
- Oversees all online activity concerning traffic acquisition, sales, conversion, and a/b testing and reporting;
- Utilizes excellent communication skills to connect various members and departments within the team;
- Develops detailed reports to analyze the efficiency and health of ongoing projects;
- Assists with decisions about promotions such as discounted offers and affordable bulk packages; and
- Uses spreadsheets and web analytics to stay organized and monitor changes in product sales and identify opportunities for improvement.
Ecommerce Job Descriptions #3: Logistics Manager
While other roles within an eCommerce team focus on strategies and the business’s online aspects, the Logistics Manager handles the hands-on, physical side.
The Logistics Manager is the one who oversees the actual delivery of products from the original holding locations to the customers’ hands.
This position requires more relationship building, such as with warehouses that hold the products to the delivery teams that transport them. If a customer doesn’t receive what they expected, it falls on the Logistics Manager to find out where the process fell short.
They are also responsible for keeping communication with the team regarding inventory, so the Digital Marketing Manager isn’t marketing a product that’s already sold out!
Logistics Manager Essential Responsibilities
- Ensures that the information from the digital operations manager matches the physical products in storage;
- Oversees product transport from the warehouse or holding facility to the customer’s door;
- Stays on top of customs clearance for international shipments, transport insurance, and quality control; and
- Finalizes product delivery such as wrapping, packaging, organizing, and fulfillment.
Ecommerce Job Descriptions #4: Digital Marketing Manager
The Digital Marketing Manager handles all the aspects of marketing in the digital side of things. Online marketing is growing drastically to the point that your eCommerce brand must have an online presence. How else will you sell a product if no one knows about it?
The eCommerce job description for the Digital Marketing Manager focuses on digital marketing efforts and online relationship management, such as product reviews and inquiries through social media platforms.
Their primary focus is to watch the day-to-day activities like engagement on the eCommerce website and the platforms. This maintenance then helps to reach strategic goals of improving user experience, increasing website traffic and sales, and developing brand loyalty.
Digital Marketing Manager Essential Responsibilities
- Keep a promotions calendar, track all eCommerce marketing efforts, analyze data, and use findings to improve strategies;
- Develop content to use in branding and marketing;
- Utilize previous experience and knowledge to determine a social media marketing strategy that is up to date with current trends;
- Execute paid social media ads and SEM campaigns; and
- Promote brand visibility and website traffic through SEO strategies.
Depending on your team’s size or how large you want to scale up, this eCommerce job position can be broken down into many other roles.
These other roles could include:
- Graphic designer – to create content to be used throughout branding and marketing efforts.
- Social Media Manager – to maintain the online presence for all social media platforms.
- Paid Advertising Coordinator – to run paid ad campaigns within social media as well as on search engines.
- SEO Specialist – to strategize and build on the company’s SEO strategy and increase brand visibility and awareness.
Ecommerce Job Descriptions #5: Web and Software Developer
The Ecommerce Web and Software Developer works hand in hand with the Digital Marketing Manager but with a more narrowed focus on the eCommerce website.
In the world of eCommerce, your website is your storefront. Your website is the platform where all your sales happen, the ultimate goal for all these eCommerce job descriptions. If the website crashes or the software stops working, that puts an immediate stop to any sales.
For that reason, a web and software developer is crucial for an eCommerce team. While some business owners choose to outsource this position to independent contractors or freelancers, the larger your business is, the more critical it is to have this position “in house.” Either way, you must have a close relationship and form of communication with your web developer. That way, if your eCommerce website crashes, they can quickly come in to save the day.
This position can be split into two separate roles. In this case, one individual handles the site’s backend, such as development, updates, and software integrations. Then, another team member runs the site’s frontend, updating content, landing pages, and the overall appearance.
Web and Software Developer Essential Responsibilities
- Construct an eCommerce website that will maximize the buying experience for the shopper;
- Handles all aspects of website maintenance;
- Optimizes online processes to ensure ease of use for website visitors; and
- Regularly updates website content to promote brand visibility and product availability.
Managing a Remote Ecommerce Team
While many eCommerce teams are already nicely designed for remote work, managing a remote team can still pose significant challenges. Especially with a growing team even of just five individuals filling these positions and eCommerce job descriptions.
With the many changes that have occurred due to the Covid-19 pandemic, workforce teams struggle to stay connected and on task. If you’re an eCommerce employer looking for answers, check out this helpful infographic and further tips for managing remote teams.
You’re Not Alone in Your Ecommerce Journey
Whether you’re just beginning your eCommerce journey or looking to scale your production capabilities, eCommerce mentorship is vital for staying on the right track. Enrolling in a course such as BeyondSixFigures can provide the knowledge and guidance you need to produce high achieving and sustainable results!
Justin Woll, the course leader, has proven successful in the eCommerce industry and is dedicated to teaching others his same methodologies. He will help guide you on equipping your eCommerce team with these five eCommerce job descriptions for a robust support system.
Learn more about what enrolling in the BeyondSixFigures course or the Ecommerce University can do for you!