**West Yorkshire (Wakefield area) | Hybrid, 2 to 3 days on site | £65,000 to £70,000 + benefits**
Plenty of eCommerce businesses have one person who knows the platform inside out. Fewer have the sense to hire their equal, someone who looks at the same system from a completely different angle. That's what this role is.
I'm working exclusively with a well established UK business supplies group that sells, distributes and delivers to workplaces across the UK and Ireland. Several trading brands run on their bespoke, Java based eCommerce platform. It trades every day and carries real commercial weight.
Their Head of eCommerce Development has been with the business for years and knows the platform and how it ties into the wider business better than anyone. The problem is that everything has to go through one person. Projects queue up, and the engineering foundations don't get the attention they need.
So they're creating a second head of function, a peer to the Head of eCommerce Development, both reporting into the Head of eCommerce. They'll keep driving the product, new sites and business change. You'll own the technical side underneath it: resilience, security, code quality, testing and how software gets delivered.
Why now
The business is bringing full ownership of its platform in house. That opens up development that simply wasn't possible before, including new ways for customers to buy, with marketplace capability on the roadmap.
The platform isn't being replaced. The job is to make what's there stronger, safer and easier to build on, using what you've seen work on other platforms and in other teams.
What you'll own
- Uptime and resilience: The site has had outages under sudden spikes in traffic, and the cause is different each time. You'll find the root cause, fix it properly and make sure it stays fixed.
- Security: Access controls, secrets management, vulnerability remediation, and deciding what the next level of security looks like.
- Engineering standards: Code review across every site, coding standards, reusable components and documentation that cuts the reliance on any one person.
- Delivery: Azure DevOps, Git, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing and controlled releases, so work moves through a proper, sustainable development process.
- Payments and integrations: Keeping current payment interfaces secure and integrating new ones, following PCI DSS requirements.
- Keeping the stack current: Java updates, dependency management and practical modernisation, without disrupting live trading.
- Challenge: Bringing fresh ideas and questioning established ways of doing things, constructively.
Building your own team
This is a growth role. You'll manage people from the start, and as the eCommerce function splits into dedicated workstreams you'll build and lead your own team, with more teams to follow as the business grows.
What they're looking for
- Around 5 to 10 years in software development, with a clear track record of stepping up. Exceptional people with less will still be considered.
- Substantial experience in transactional eCommerce, or in building and running websites for a retail business. Sites that take money, not just apps or brochure sites.
- Strong, practical Java and object oriented development skills
- Solid experience with Git and Azure DevOps (or something comparable)
- Experience managing developers and getting projects delivered on time
- Experience working on live systems with lots of dependencies, where you think through the knock on effects before you ship anything
- Exposure to more than one platform or way of working, so you bring a wider view
- Someone who can explain technical risk clearly to people who aren't engineers
Nice to have
- payment gateway integration
- Azure and Infrastructure as Code
- monitoring and alerting
- performance and security testing
- incident management and disaster recovery
The environment
It's fast paced and commercially driven, with real pressure to deliver. Decisions get made quickly and your work will show up quickly. You'll be working with people who know their own areas very well and want someone who knows a different area just as well.
Why it's worth a conversation
- A genuine head of function role, on equal footing with the existing Head of Development
- A platform coming fully in house, with new development opening up
- A clear path to building and leading your own team
- Real ownership of the engineering foundations of a business that trades every day
- £65,000 to £70,000 plus benefits
Please note
You'll be on site two to three days a week, and the office is hard to reach by public transport, so you'll need to be able to drive there. A full UK driving licence and your own transport are essential.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Ecommerce employer: FoundU
Join a well-established B2B business in Redhill as a Credit Controller, where you'll be part of a close-knit team that consistently meets its targets. Enjoy a competitive salary, a monthly bonus structure, and a comprehensive benefits package, all while working in a supportive environment that values personality and teamwork. With opportunities for personal growth and a hybrid working model, this role offers a rewarding experience for those looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Ecommerce
✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like FoundU are looking for when hiring for a Head of Ecommerce.
✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to FoundU for the Head of Ecommerce, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at FoundU as a Head of Ecommerce, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
✨Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out FoundU’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Head of Ecommerce.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at FoundU, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with FoundU's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at FoundU. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at FoundU
✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that FoundU uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
✨Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
✨Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at FoundU. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
