Head of E-commerce

Job description summary
The head of ecommerce is an industry-leading e-commerce expert responsible for managing, growing, and evolving all aspects of Havas Media’s digital retail practice. This includes the development of our e-commerce consulting offer and methodology, as well as building partnerships with key local and global e-commerce platforms.
**E-commerce encompasses all three pillars of online sales**: direct-to-consumer websites, online stores, and marketplaces (Amazon, Takealot, Checkers, etc.).
The individual will lead the entire e-commerce department in driving revenue, focused on achieving yearly targets and objectives set by the group. To achieve these goals, they will foster business opportunities with existing and new clients, demonstrating excellent closing skills.
Additionally, the head of e-commerce will build and manage a team of e-commerce experts, grow the e-commerce expertise within the agency or across the village, and ensure training across all areas of expertise.
This role reports to the managing director based in South Africa.
Main responsibilities
Contribute to the development of the e-commerce proposition within the agency
Contribute to the definition, content, and evolution of Havas e-commerce products and service offerings
Help to develop the e-commerce consulting methodology and processes
Localise the tech stack to support local initiatives
Work across units to develop content, website development, media, strategy, and operations for e-commerce within the Havas village
Support the managing director in evaluating and proposing a full spectrum of e-commerce alliances, including appropriate specialist partner agencies, retail platforms, tech platforms, bid and campaign management tools, and audit and analytics tools
Contribute to the development of the e-commerce virtual P&L
Develop internal and external customer bases on national and regional levels
Grow existing revenue, create new business opportunities, and ensure business profitability
Identify and develop new business opportunities by proposing new value-added services and products to the agency’s clients and prospects
Conceive and deliver e-commerce marketing strategies for clients, including consulting, business plans, and media/non-media activations
Develop action plans for achieving and measuring e-commerce campaign success, including key metrics, measurement processes, and optimisation
Continuously monitor the latest developments in the e-commerce industry and foresee their implications for clients
Be involved in client and inter-agency education on e-commerce marketing, preparing and presenting best practices, case studies, and examples of e-commerce strategies
Ensure all KPIs are well understood and implemented in all e-commerce proposals (stock availability, delivery rates, ROAS, CAC, new customers, O2O ratios, etc.)
Serve as the spokesman for Havas’ e-commerce offer, speaking at national and regional events
Write and develop whitepapers on innovative e-commerce topics
Ensure Havas visibility locally and regionally
Qualifications and languages
Master’s degree in business, marketing, or digital communications
Seven to ten years of directly related experience in the retail industry
Excellent English skills
Key competencies
Extensive understanding of internal and external variables that impact online sales, including the strategic context
Proven track record as a vendor specialist/manager at a retailer or as the head of e-commerce for an advertiser
Experience in e-commerce negotiations, pricing and promotion, inventory and supply chain management, merchandising and catalogue management, retail media, and retail analytics
Experience launching a new business unit or working in a start-up or early-stage environment where you had to define best practices is a plus
**Data-driven**: ability to compile and analyse online sales data and metrics, provide actionable insights, and make decisions based on analysis
Strong analytical and mathematical skills
Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
Strong written communication and presentation skills, with native-level fluency in English required
Strong knowledge and expertise in industry-related matters, with the ability to service and communicate with a wide range of clients and retail partners
Solid understanding and keen interest in consumer trends in e-commerce/retail
Strong decision-making, organisational, planning, and problem-solving skills
Excellent project management and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise and multitask with ease
Ability to take initiative and perform tasks efficiently and self-sufficiently
Application information
Please include your CV, portfolio, availability, and expected salary when applying.