E-Commerce Manager at Salt South Africa

Overview:

• This is not a “keep-the-lights-on” e-commerce role.
• This is a build-from-scratch, own-the-channel opportunity inside a founder-led, globally ambitious consumer brand business that is actively challenging how premium brands show up online.
• E-commerce is a strategic growth engine here, not a side project. As E-Commerce Manager, you will take full ownership of the channel end-to-end, starting with Germany and expanding internationally. From performance and profitability to platform, creative, data, and growth strategy, this space is yours to shape.
• You will be trusted to think differently, move fast, and avoid the same tired FMCG e-commerce playbook. If your instinct is to question templates, challenge “best practice,” and build something commercially sharp and culturally relevant, you will feel very at home.
• This role will be working closely with Marketing, Sales, and International Markets to ensure alignment and momentum. It is entrepreneurial, hands-on, and designed to grow both the channel and the role itself. If you succeed, you will build a team around you and turn this into a fully-fledged global function.
• If you are a self-starter who wants real ownership, real accountability, and the freedom to create something meaningful without layers of bureaucracy slowing you down, this is a rare chance to make a very visible impact.

Duties and Responsibilities:

E-Commerce Ownership & Commercial Performance

• Own the e-commerce channel end-to-end, starting with Germany
• Run the online shop as a standalone, performance-driven sales channel
• Take full ownership of revenue, margins, conversion, AOV, repeat purchase, and profitability

International Expansion Strategy

• Define and execute the international e-commerce expansion roadmap
• Work closely with Finance to ensure scalability, control, and commercial viability across markets

Website & Platform Management

• Own website structure, UX, functionality, and ongoing optimisation (there is extra support on this)
• Make hands-on updates to the website and manage platform changes
• Ensure the site is fast, intuitive, on-brand, and commercially effective
• Manage and brief external tech partners where required

Performance Marketing & SEO

• Own all paid performance marketing activity across markets
• Own SEO strategy and execution
• Manage budgets with a strong focus on ROI and ROAS
• Continuously test, optimise, and scale what works

Data, Analytics & Reporting

• Own all e-commerce reporting and data analysis
• Track traffic, funnel performance, conversion, CAC, ROAS, retention, and LTV
• Translate data into clear actions and commercial decisions
• Report regularly into Finance with clarity and insight

Creative Direction & Execution

• Lead creative direction for e-commerce content and campaigns
• Guide internal creative resources and ensure execution quality
• Balance strong brand storytelling with performance-driven creative
• Continuously test creative to improve results

Distributor & Market Alignment

• Work closely with distributors to ensure alignment on e-commerce strategy
• Align pricing, promotions, messaging, and mechanics with market strategy
• Act as a bridge between Finance, Marketing, Sales, and international markets

Function & Team Build-Out

• Design the future structure of the e-commerce function
• Hire and lead a team as the channel scales
• Set clear KPIs, processes, and ways of working

Requirements:

• Proven experience in e-commerce or DTC, ideally within FMCG, spirits, lifestyle, or premium consumer brands
• Strong hands-on technical ability to manage and update e-commerce platforms
• Experience in performance marketing and SEO
• Highly analytical, commercially minded, and data-driven
• Entrepreneurial, builder mindset and comfortable starting from zero
• Confident challenging convention and doing things differently
• Comfortable operating independently in a fast-moving, founder-led environment
• Based in Cape Town, with a genuine appetite for international exposure and growth