Manager, Commerce Search

WPP Media Limited; Chicago, New York (IL, NY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Mental health days

Job summary

WPP Media Limited in Chicago, IL is seeking a Manager, Commerce Search to lead retail search strategy across leading networks and optimize performance for top brands. You will manage day-to-day campaign setup, bidding, budgeting, and reporting while partnering with clients and internal teams to integrate search into the broader commerce strategy.

You'll work with platforms like Pacvue, Skai, and Epsilon, develop testing strategies, mentor junior staff, and stay ahead of retail search changes,

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in retail media, paid search, biddable media, or commerce.
• Deep understanding of retail search, including keyword strategy, bidding, product targeting, placements, budget allocation, and optimization.
• Experience managing campaigns across retail media platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, Target, Kroger, Criteo/CitrusAd, or similar.
• Experience with Pacvue, Skai, Epsilo, or other retail media/bid-management platforms.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn performance data into actionable recommendations.
• Understanding of how retail search fits into the broader commerce and media ecosystem.
• Experience managing and developing direct reports.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and project-management skills.
• A bias for action, problem-solving mindset, and genuine curiosity about the rapidly evolving retail media landscape.

Responsibilities

• Lead retail search strategy and activation across multiple retail media networks.
• Develop and optimize keyword, bidding, budget, targeting, and product strategies to maximize performance.
• Manage day-to-day campaign setup, pacing, optimization, reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Analyze search performance and competitive activity to identify growth and optimization opportunities.
• Partner with the Director, Commerce Search to develop testing strategies, best practices, and new approaches to retail search.
• Build strong relationships with Amazon, Walmart, Criteo, CitrusAd, and other retail media partners.
• Stay ahead of changes in retail search, marketplace ad products, algorithms, measurement, and technology.
• Use platforms such as Pacvue, Skai, and Epsilon to optimize campaigns and improve activation efficiency.
• Connect search performance to broader commerce objectives, including sales, margin, inventory, promotions and demand.
• Collaborate with planning, investment, analytics, and client teams to integrate search into the broader commerce strategy.
• Manage and mentor direct reports while helping establish best practices for the broader Commerce Search team.

Skills

Retail search

Keyword strategy

Bid management

Campaign optimization

Analytics

Leadership

Communication

Tools

Pacvue

Skai

Epsilon

Instacart

Criteo/CitrusAd

Job description

Chicago, United States; New York, United States

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by ourpioneeringagentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

Search is at the heart of how consumers discover and purchase products. As a Manager, Commerce Search, you’ll help leading brands win across the digital shelf by developing and activating retail search strategies that drive measurable business results.

We’re looking for a retail media and search expert who understands the nuances of marketplaces, bidding, keyword strategy, optimization, and performance. You’ll manage search activations across leading retail media networks including Amazon, Walmart, Criteo, CitrusAd, and others, while partnering closely with clients, agency teams, and retail media partners.

Reporting to the Director, Commerce Search, you’ll have the opportunity to shape search strategy, identify growth opportunities, and help evolve how we approach commerce media for our clients.

• Lead retail search strategy and activation across multiple retail media networks.
• Develop and optimize keyword, bidding, budget, targeting, and product strategies to maximize performance.
• Manage day-to-day campaign setup, pacing, optimization, reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Analyze search performance and competitive activity to identify growth and optimization opportunities.
• Partner with the Director, Commerce Search to develop testing strategies, best practices, and new approaches to retail search.
• Build strong relationships with Amazon, Walmart, Criteo, CitrusAd, and other retail media partners.
• Stay ahead of changes in retail search, marketplace ad products, algorithms, measurement, and technology.
• Use platforms such as Pacvue, Skai, and Epsilon to optimize campaigns and improve activation efficiency.
• Connect search performance to broader commerce objectives, including sales, margin, inventory, promotions, and demand.
• Collaborate with planning, investment, analytics, and client teams to integrate search into the broader commerce strategy.
• Manage and mentor direct reports while helping establish best practices for the broader Commerce Search team.

Skills and Experience

• 3+ years of experience in retail media, paid search, biddable media, or commerce, with a strong preference for hands‑on retail search experience.
• Deep understanding of retail search, including keyword strategy, bidding, product targeting, placements, budget allocation, and optimization.
• Experience managing campaigns across retail media platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, Target, Kroger, Criteo/CitrusAd, or similar.
• Experience with Pacvue, Skai, Epsilo, or other retail media/bid-management platforms.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn performance data into actionable recommendations.
• Understanding of how retail search fits into the broader commerce and media ecosystem.
• Experience managing and developing direct reports.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and project‑management skills.
• A bias for action, problem‑solving mindset, and genuine curiosity about the rapidly evolving retail media landscape.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits
Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment toBe Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We alsoLead Optimistically,firmly believingin andChampioning Growth and Developmentfor every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees toleveragethe extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at thecutting edgeof marketing and advertising. WeCreate an Open environmentbuilt on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office eventsshowcasingteam wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.
WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens whenwe'retogether, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment.That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. Please note that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country.
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The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, go to https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome for more details.

US Pay Range

$60,000 - $140,000 USD

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