When you think of an ecommerce job, you might picture someone typing away at a computer, answering customer emails, or clicking ‘ship’ on an order. But that’s just one piece of a much bigger machine. Ecommerce jobs aren’t just about selling online-they’re about making sure that product you ordered on a Tuesday shows up at your door by Thursday. It’s logistics, tech, customer service, and operations all tied together. And right now, with online shopping still growing, these jobs aren’t just popping up-they’re multiplying.
What Exactly Is an Ecommerce Job?
An ecommerce job is any role that supports the buying, selling, or delivery of goods online. It doesn’t matter if you’re working for Amazon, a small Shopify store, or a local bakery that just started selling online. If your job helps move products from a warehouse to a customer’s hands, you’re in ecommerce.
These roles fall into three main buckets: front-end (what customers see), back-end (what happens behind the scenes), and logistics (how it gets delivered). The logistics side is where things get real-because no matter how pretty your website is, if your orders don’t ship on time, customers leave. And they don’t come back.
Common Ecommerce Jobs in Logistics
Most people don’t realize how many different jobs exist just to get a pair of shoes from a warehouse in Mississauga to someone’s apartment in Ottawa. Here are the most common ones:
- Warehouse Associate: Picks, packs, and labels orders. In a busy warehouse, you might handle 200+ orders a day. Speed and accuracy matter more than you’d think.
- Inventory Specialist: Tracks stock levels, runs cycle counts, and flags items that are low or missing. One mistake here means a customer gets a ‘sold out’ email after paying.
- Logistics Coordinator: Works with carriers like FedEx, UPS, and regional couriers. They negotiate rates, track shipments, and fix delays. This job is all about communication and problem-solving.
- Order Fulfillment Manager: Oversees the whole process-from receiving inventory to shipping out the final package. They manage teams, set KPIs, and report on delivery times. If your store promises 2-day shipping, this person makes sure it happens.
- Reverse Logistics Specialist: Handles returns. Yes, returns are a huge part of ecommerce. In 2025, nearly 30% of online orders were returned. Someone has to inspect, restock, or dispose of those items.
These aren’t entry-level grunt jobs. Many of them require training, software skills, and experience with systems like SAP, NetSuite, or ShipStation. And they pay better than you might expect. In Canada, warehouse supervisors earn between $55,000 and $75,000 a year. Logistics coordinators often make $60,000+, even without a degree.
Skills You Need for an Ecommerce Logistics Job
You don’t need a college degree to land one of these roles, but you do need real skills. Here’s what employers look for:
- Attention to detail: One wrong SKU number can send a customer the wrong size, color, or product entirely.
- Basic tech literacy: You’ll use barcode scanners, warehouse management systems (WMS), and order tracking dashboards. If you can use Excel, you’re halfway there.
- Time management: Peak seasons like Black Friday or Cyber Monday turn warehouses into pressure cookers. Can you stay calm when 500 orders pile up before noon?
- Problem-solving: A shipment got stuck in Montreal. A customer’s address was wrong. A box was damaged. You need to fix it fast-without blaming someone else.
- Communication: You’ll talk to drivers, warehouse staff, customer service reps, and sometimes angry customers. Being clear and calm under pressure is a superpower here.
Many people start as warehouse associates and move up. Others come from retail, manufacturing, or even the military. What matters isn’t your background-it’s whether you show up on time, learn the system, and care about getting it right.
Where Are These Jobs Located?
Logistics jobs aren’t spread evenly. They cluster around major transportation hubs. In Canada, that means:
- Toronto: Canada’s biggest logistics center. Home to Amazon’s largest Canadian fulfillment center and dozens of third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
- Vancouver: Key for international shipping. Many companies use Vancouver’s port to bring in goods from Asia.
- Montreal: Strong rail and trucking networks. A growing hub for French-language ecommerce support.
- Calgary and Edmonton: Serve the Prairies. Less crowded than Toronto, but growing fast.
- Winnipeg and Hamilton: Mid-sized hubs with steady demand.
Most of these jobs are in industrial parks-not downtown offices. You’ll be in a warehouse, on a forklift, or at a packing station. It’s not glamorous, but it’s steady work. And it’s not going away.
How to Get Started
If you’re thinking about jumping into this field, here’s how to do it right:
- Start with a warehouse job: Look for postings at Amazon, Walmart, Loblaw, or local 3PLs. Even if it’s part-time, you’ll learn the system.
- Learn the software: Free online tutorials exist for ShipStation, Zoho Inventory, and QuickBooks Commerce. Spend an hour a week learning.
- Get certified: The Canadian Supply Chain Council offers a free Warehousing and Distribution Fundamentals course. It takes 6 hours. You’ll get a badge you can put on your LinkedIn.
- Network: Go to local logistics meetups. Toronto has monthly events at the Toronto Port Authority. You’ll meet people who know about openings before they’re posted.
- Apply for internal moves: Once you’re in the system, ask about moving into inventory, scheduling, or coordination roles. Most companies promote from within.
One person I spoke to in Mississauga started as a night shift packer. Two years later, she’s managing a team of 12. She didn’t have a degree. She just showed up, asked questions, and never missed a shift.
What’s Next for Ecommerce Jobs?
Automation is changing things. Robots are picking orders. AI is predicting stock levels. Drones are being tested for last-mile delivery. But here’s the truth: machines can’t replace people yet. They need humans to monitor them, fix errors, and handle the messy stuff-like a customer who ordered a gift but didn’t leave a note.
By 2027, Canada will need over 100,000 more workers in logistics and ecommerce fulfillment. That’s not a guess-it’s from the Canadian Labour Market Outlook. The gap isn’t going to close by itself.
So if you’re looking for a job that’s stable, growing, and doesn’t require student debt? Ecommerce logistics is one of the best options right now. It’s not a career you grow into-it’s one you can start tomorrow.
Do you need a degree for an ecommerce job?
No, you don’t need a degree. Most warehouse and logistics roles hire based on experience, reliability, and ability to learn systems. Certifications and on-the-job training matter more than a diploma. That said, if you want to move into management or planning roles, a business or supply chain certificate can help-but it’s not required to start.
Are ecommerce logistics jobs only in big cities?
Most are, but not all. Major hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have the highest concentration. But smaller cities with rail yards, airports, or distribution centers also hire. Places like Hamilton, London (ON), and even Regina have growing logistics sectors. If you’re willing to commute 30-45 minutes, you’ll find options even outside downtown.
Is this work physically demanding?
Yes, especially warehouse and fulfillment roles. You’ll be on your feet 8-10 hours a day, lifting boxes, walking long distances, and sometimes working in cold storage. It’s not desk work. But many companies provide ergonomic equipment, safety training, and breaks. If you’re in decent shape and don’t mind movement, it’s manageable.
Can you work remotely in ecommerce logistics?
Most logistics jobs require you to be on-site. But some roles like inventory analyst, logistics coordinator, or customer service for returns can be remote. These usually require prior experience and strong computer skills. If you’re starting out, plan to be in the warehouse first.
How much do ecommerce logistics jobs pay in Canada?
Pay varies by role and location. Warehouse associates make $18-$23/hour. Logistics coordinators earn $28-$36/hour. Supervisors and managers can make $60,000-$85,000 annually. Overtime and shift premiums (like night or weekend work) can add 20-30% more. Benefits like health insurance and RRSP matching are common in larger companies.
What’s the biggest mistake people make applying for these jobs?
They treat it like a generic retail job. Employers want to see that you understand the pace and pressure of ecommerce. Mentioning specific systems like ShipStation or WMS, or describing how you handled a high-volume shift in a past job, makes you stand out. Don’t just say you’re a hard worker-show how you kept up during Black Friday.
Final Thoughts
Ecommerce isn’t just about websites and apps. It’s about people-people packing boxes, scanning barcodes, driving trucks, and answering calls at 9 p.m. when a customer’s package is late. These jobs are the invisible backbone of everything we buy online. And they’re not going anywhere.
If you’re looking for work that’s real, steady, and growing? Look past the flashy tech jobs. Walk into a warehouse. Ask about openings. Show up on time. Learn the system. And you’ll find that the future of work isn’t always in a hoodie-it’s in a safety vest, with a scanner in hand, making sure your order gets where it needs to go.
