How to hire the best eCommerce talent for your business in 2025

The eCommerce landscape is broad, and finding talent to help elevate your digital proposition, enhance customer experiences whilst improving site performance can be challenging. That’s without accounting for the fact that every professional has vastly different Technical, Commercial, Creative and Communication skills.

The eCommerce Talent Conundrum

ECommerce Brands and Retail businesses have different internal structures, use different tools and have vastly different which results in professionals developing different specialisms, knowledge and skillsets.

For example a smaller business would usually require a more generalist professional who can work across eCommerce Trading, Online Merchandising and perhaps even some marketing channels such as CRM/Email, Social Media, SEO, Paid Search, Paid Social, Affiliates or Display. They be a one-person band, be part of a small team of generalists covering different areas, or manage agency partners for areas that require skillsets not found in the business. Professionals would usually need to develop a holistic understand of how all the channels work in tangent, or may find some key areas to focus on as generate the most traction with audiences.

A corporate or larger business may have teams of experts specialised in only one or 2 areas. They may have an understand of other areas, but they’ll be hyper-focussed and accountable for their own area of expertise such as Digital Trading, Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) or Online Merchandising. They may have a team of professionals under their specialist area, or agencies for support dependent on their size and scale.

Small businesses would likely need to operate under tight budgets and could have less access to more resources, whereas larger businesses would be able to invest more and have access to more technologies.

This is all important when considering hiring, because businesses need to be realistic about where they are, where they want to be and how much they’re willing to invest to get there, to shape what kind of profile they need to hire.

How to develop an eCommerce hiring plan

We believe recruitment should follow a process to hire effectively. It can take time, and may require refining until you find the perfect market fit for your business.

We’d suggest beginning with:

1.        Establishing the candidate Profile

2.        Establishing your value proposition

3.        Creating a job description with personality

4.        Developing a clear hiring process

5.        Trying to gauge candidate feedback throughout the process

There are also times when hiring managers may chase candidates who’ve worked for larger established brands or retailers, however they may not be right for your business, that’s why it’s essential to start developing a candidate profile. Most businesses want to attract the best talent, but the best talent also want to know what’s in it for them.

For example, if your eCommerce Manager or Head of eCommerce is reporting directly to the founder will this provide greater opportunities to progress up the career ladder? Will they be learning from a leader? Are there unique benefits (beyond a staff discount)?

Developing a Candidate Profile and Job Description

Most people simply ask a tool like ChatGPT or Gemini to write a job description or develop a candidate profile, however I can only stress how important it is to first to assess which skills or experience are most essential to the role and business, and what’s nice to have.

You can start by asking a few simple questions: do you need a generalist or specialist?  Is it a purely eCommerce role, or do you require someone to work on eCommerce and Marketing? Are you focussed you retention or acquisition? You will need to think about whether you have a loyal customer base or if a focus on increasing the AOV (average order value) required, so you can determine whether you need someone who can work across eCommerce and CRM strategy.

Do you need to grow your audience base and need someone to develop your customer acquisition strategy? Do you need to review the online merchandising or explore ways to reduce friction and improve Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO)? What tools do you need someone to have experience using? Are there alternative or similar tools that you can consider someone to have experience with? And the all-important question that can get overlooked, how urgent is this hire? Can I make this hire or do I need specialist support?

At this time of year with Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas around the coroner, it’s essential for a lot of businesses to ensure they have the right skills in place.

Establishing your value proposition

Developing an Employer Value Proposition (EVP) is about understanding what is unique about your business, your culture, and what you offer to people that join you. It’s not about copying what everyone else is doing, but defining what makes you unique. This distinct offering is a complete package that includes not only salary and benefits but also your company culture, work environment, and career growth. A strong, authentic EVP is crucial for both attracting top talent and retaining your best employees, as it clearly communicates the value they will receive in return for their contributions.

The true power of an EVP lies in its authenticity. It must be a genuine reflection of your company's values and what it's really like to work there. This is why developing it requires looking inward and gathering feedback from current employees. By being honest about what you offer, you build trust and ensure that the people you attract are a great fit for your culture, leading to a more engaged and successful workforce.

Creating a job description with personality

You’ve defined what you need from the candidate, but now it’s time to create something that will stand out. We believe a job description should be more than a list of requirements; it’s a tool to attract the right people. We recommend you start by defining who your business is - its mission, values, and culture. Next, paint a clear picture of what the day-to-day responsibilities will look like and the experience you need, connecting skills and tools to the role's real impact. Finally, leverage parts of your EVP to attract talent, integrating unique benefits and growth opportunities to show candidates what they will gain from working with you.

Developing a clear hiring process

Once you've defined the ideal candidate and created a compelling job description, you need a process to effectively guide candidates from application to offer. We recommend a clear, structured process to ensure a great candidate experience. This should include timely communication, clearly defined interview stages, and a consistent approach to evaluating candidates against the profile you've established. A well-managed process not only helps you assess talent but also reinforces your brand as an organized and desirable place to work.

Trying to gage candidate feedback throughout the process

Gathering feedback from candidates, even those who don't get the job, can be invaluable. It provides insights into how your process is perceived and what could be improved. We suggest you ask for feedback on their experience with your application, the clarity of the role's requirements, and the professionalism of your team. This demonstrates your company's commitment to continuous improvement and builds a positive reputation in the talent market

eCommerce Talent Shortage and how to attract the best professionals in a competitive market

The eCommerce sector is experiencing a significant talent shortage, making it difficult for businesses to find the right people. This shortage is driven by the rapid growth of the industry, the highly specialized nature of the skills required, and the high demand for professionals who can drive digital growth. This challenge is why it's so important to have a strategic hiring plan that goes beyond simply posting a job and hoping for the best.

Beyond the talent shortage, you're also competing with other businesses for the same skilled professionals. The best candidates often have multiple offers, and they are not just looking for a job—they're looking for a career opportunity that aligns with their goals. This is where your well-developed candidate profile and strong EVP become powerful tools. They help you stand out from the crowd and show top talent what's truly in it for them.

How Solis Recruitment can help you hire

Navigating the complexities of eCommerce recruitment requires deep market knowledge and a proven process. We specialize in finding the best eCommerce talent for businesses of all sizes, from generalist professionals for smaller companies to hyper-specialized experts for larger enterprises. We understand the nuances of the industry and are dedicated to finding professionals who not only have the right skills but are also a perfect fit for your unique business culture.

Are you ready to build your eCommerce team?

Find out more about how we hire for eCommerce and Marketing roles on our website.

Get in touch with us to discuss your hiring needs.

If you're ready to start, submit a brief and let's find your next hire or get in touch.

If you're looking for a specific type of professional, you can also explore our specialised page: eCommerce.

We look forward to helping you find the perfect talent to drive your business forward in 2025 and beyond.