E-commerce Manager
The e-commerce manager oversees the sale of products or services online. He or she defines the sales strategy, improves the customer experience and tracks revenue and the profitability of the shop.
In the cultural sector, he or she can develop online sales of artworks, objets d’art, books or merchandise.
On this page:
- The duties of the e-commerce manager
- The skills and qualities required
- Fields of Practice
- Programs
- Salary
- Career Progression
In Brief: The E-commerce Manager Profession
| Other Job Titles | online sales manager, online store manager, E-commerce Manager, e-merchant manager |
|---|---|
| Recommended Education Level | 5 years of higher education in business, digital marketing or e-commerce, with a first experience in online sales or marketing |
| Salary | On average, between €40,000 and €50,000 gross/year, with a possible variable portion tied to sales targets (source: HelloWork) |
| Employers | companies with an online store, e-commerce agencies, art galleries, artwork sales platforms, publishing houses, museums and cultural institutions |
| Key Skills | store and catalog management, sales strategy, digital marketing, acquisition and retention, data analysis, budget monitoring, profitability, project management and team coordination |
| Career Progression | e-commerce director, business development manager, sales director or e-commerce strategy consultant |
| IESA Programs | Bachelor in Art Market - 3 years of higher education, then Master in Contemporary Art or Master in Ancient Art - 5 years of higher education, with work-study possible |
What Are the Duties of an E-Commerce Manager?
The e-commerce manager develops the online store’s commercial activity. Their main duties are to:
- defining the sales strategy and commercial objectives
- organizing the catalog and showcasing products
- growing visibility through search optimization, advertising, email marketing and social media
- improving the purchase journey and building customer loyalty
- coordinating the sales, marketing and technical teams and the providers
- tracking budgets, sales, margins and campaign results
- overseeing, with the relevant departments, order, inventory and delivery tracking
They also propose site changes to make purchasing easier and meet customers' expectations.
What Skills and Qualities Are Needed to Practice This Profession?
The e-commerce manager must understand web usage and master the main online sales tools.
Their skills notably cover:
- managing a shop and its catalog
- digital marketing and loyalty building
- data analysis and dashboards
- budget tracking and profitability
- project management and team coordination
A good technical background makes it easier to communicate with developers. Creativity, rigor, business sense, and the ability to negotiate are also essential.
In the art trade, knowledge of works and collectors helps write reliable descriptions, advise buyers, and showcase the objects on offer.
Where does the e-commerce manager work?
The e-commerce manager works in a company with an online store or in an agency that supports retailers. They can also work as an independent consultant for several clients.
In art and culture, they can work for a gallery, an artwork sales platform, a publishing house or a museum shop.
What training is there to become an e-commerce manager?
Training in business, digital marketing or e-commerce is a way into the profession. A Bac+5 is often sought, along with a first experience in online sales or marketing.
To work in the art market, these skills can be combined with training focused on artworks and their commercialization.
The IESA Bachelor in Art Market
The Bachelor in Art Market is a three-year program open after the bac. It prepares students for the level 6 title Artwork and Art Object Sales Manager, registered with the RNCP.
The program combines knowledge of artworks, sales, negotiation, digital marketing and customer relations. Work-study is possible from the second year.
Continue with a Master
After a Bac+3, the International Art Market Masters allow you to deepen your expertise in appraising and marketing works:
- the Master in Contemporary Art, which covers, among other things, organizing an online sale and managing a client database
- the Master in Ancient Art, to develop expertise in works and objects of this specialty
These tracks take two years. To aim for e-commerce responsibilities, hands-on experience with sales platforms and performance analysis complements the knowledge acquired.
What Is the Salary of an E-commerce Manager?
Pay depends on experience, company size, the revenue managed, and responsibilities.
As a guide, HelloWork puts average pay at around €40,000 to €50,000 gross per year. A variable portion may supplement the salary depending on sales targets and contract terms.
Source: HelloWork, "E-commerce Manager" career profile, accessed in September 2026.
What Career Progression?
With experience, the e-commerce manager can manage several shops, lead a larger team, or grow the business internationally.
They can notably move into the following roles:
- e-commerce director
- business development manager
- sales director
- e-commerce strategy consultant