Management in the ecommerce industry: When is it time to step up?

Jun 25, 2018 2:36:12 PM

Finding a management role in the ecommerce industry isn’t always straightforward. You must find a role that suits your skills and experience, a company where progression is valued and ensure that it is the perfect role in line with your career plan.

The most important thing, especially if you’re at the stage in your career where management is the natural next step, is to know when it is time to make that step. In this post, we’re going to look at how you can make that next step in your career smoothly, making sure you are making it at the right time!

Management in ecommerce: What to expect

Before we look at knowing when it is time to step up to a management role in ecommerce, we thought we would share some findings from our 2018 ecommerce salary survey & insights report. Whatever your ecommerce specialism, be it Digital Marketing, Online Trading, Web Analytics or Digital Design, these stats will give you an idea of what manager’s in the industry are up to.

Ecommerce professionals in a management role (junior manager, manager and senior manager) are well represented in our report – 42% of the overall respondents fall into the seniority levels mentioned. Here are some insights…

  • 67% of those in a management role within the ecommerce industry saw their salaries increase in the past 12 months. With the industry more competitive than ever, it is not surprising to see managers rewarded so that they can motivate their team and get the best results possible.
  • 53% of respondents with a management position work at least two hours of overtime a week. Some even work up to five hours or more! While maintaining a good work-life balance is something people of all seniorities should be conscious of, it is important to be ready to accept the extra responsibilities that come with a management role.
  • 45% of ecommerce professionals in a management role state that staff retention (keeping the team valued and engaged) is a big challenge in 2018. As mentioned, the industry is extremely competitive and team members who don’t feel challenged or valued know there are many opportunities to explore!

These are just a few sneak peeks of what some of our respondents had to say – you can download a full copy of the report for insights from across the industry.

Your career so far – evaluate your progress

The first thing to do when thinking about a step up into a management role, is to evaluate your career progress so far.

If you do have a career plan in place, when did you originally think you would be ready to step into management? Are you at that point now? If you feel you have grown and learnt everything you wanted to, then you’re off to a flying start!

However, you still don’t want to rush anything if you’ve ticked all the boxes above. Consider your current role right now and what has been planned for the next six months – are there exciting projects that would look great on your CV? Will there be an opportunity to progress where you are? Always consider both sides so that your progression into management is right for you and your career plan.

If you are 100% ready to move on to a new management role, in a new company, then it’s time to have a brainstorm!

What do you want from a management position?

While progression into a management job seems like the traditional step for any mid-level ecommerce professional, you need to know exactly what you want from it.

You should create a checklist of what you want from being a manager; bigger team, long term strategizing, training junior team members or being able to delegate responsibilities you’ve grown used to. These are just a few examples of many and it won’t take a day or two to determine what it is you’re looking for.

If you know what you’re looking for already, or do need a bit of guidance, then it’s time to start some conversations!

Seeking advice from the right people

Think about a former manager who you really admired for their style of management. What was it about their approach that motivated you? If you are still in touch, why not arrange a coffee so you can seek some helpful advice from someone you respect?

What about speaking to a recruitment agency who specialises in your field? Not only do they know what companies are looking for in potential managers, they have helped many candidates like you transition into a management role. Even if you’re not completely ready to make the step, they can offer advice from what they have seen from other professionals. Starting these relationships, whether you’re ready or not, will really help in your quest for a management role.

Are you ready for a management role?

Only you will know when the right time is, but our main advice is to never show hesitation to progressing in your career. Even if you think to yourself ‘I don’t think I’m ready just yet,’ you can still be making progress towards the moment when you will be. Work on your skills, motivate the people around you whether you manage them or not and take on any responsibilities that will prove your worth!

We are here to talk about your career whenever you need! Do you want to discuss a potential move into a management role? Send your CV or contact the pandas today!

What do you think?

Share your thoughts on this post - whether you agree, disagree or have your own insight to share, we want to hear from you!

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