Retail Commerce Search Lead

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

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,