Search Manager

Mars United Commerce; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars United Commerce is seeking a Manager, Retail Search to lead the setup, optimization and measurement of retail search campaigns. You will own end-to-end performance from keyword strategy to reporting, collaborating with internal teams and clients to align with objectives and media mix.

The role requires hands-on media buying experience across major platforms, strong Excel and Google Suite skills, and a proactive, problem-solving mindset. Hybrid work with offices in New York and Chicago.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in retail search space
• Confident presenter and clear, persuasive communicator (verbal and written)
• Doer with a “roll up your sleeves and figure it out” mentality
• Exceptional Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs)
• Google Suite Experience (Sheets, Docs, Slides)
• Hands-on media buying experience: keyword/ad group/audience/targeting in-platform; real-time bidding; optimization; results-based reporting
• Retail media buying on Amazon and Walmart/Criteo/Citrus Ads/Kroger/Instacart or similar
• Google SEM or similar experience is a plus
• Strong attention to detail; multi-tasker; manage timelines/budgets/deliverables
• Ambitious self-starter; ownership mindset
• Passion for retail and omnichannel media landscape
• Creative/strategic thinker; eager to improve/grow
• Collaborative team player; able to challenge peers when needed

Responsibilities

• Build and execute best-in-class retail media campaigns across search
• Own hands-to-keyboard set-up, management, optimization and reporting of retail search
• Develop keyword, ad group, audience and targeting strategy; refine activation plan
• Manage continuous improvement of daily/weekly optimizations across platforms and clients
• Create and share presentations highlighting campaign setup and final plan
• Support development of retail strategy, client media mix, and budget allocations
• Understand campaign setup, performance and reporting structure; set performance expectations
• Help manage team workflow, training, and internal reviews
• Report on campaign performance; provide insights and strategic recommendations
• Reports to Director Retail Search

Skills

Retail search experience

Confident communicator

Detail-oriented

Cross-functional collaboration

Ambitious self-starter

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Google Docs

Google Slides

In-platform bidding/RTB

Job description

We’re looking for a Manager, Retail Search to help us maintain and evolve our leadership position in the growing Commerce Media space.

Candidates must reside within a commutable distance to our Chicago or New York office for a hybrid work schedule.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build and flawlessly execute best-in-class retail media campaigns across search.
• Own hands-to-keyboard set-up, management, optimization and reporting of retail search.
• Develop and collaborate on keyword, ad group, audience and targeting strategy, and refine overall activation plan based on client objectives and vendor/platform capabilities.
• Manage continuous improvement of daily and weekly optimizations across a variety of platforms and clients.
• Create and share presentations highlighting the campaign set-up and final plan with internal teams and clients.
• Support with developing retail strategy, client media mix, and budget allocations.
• Have clear understanding of campaign set-up, performance and reporting structure, and clearly set and communicate performance expectations with internal and external teams.
• Help manage team workflow, training, and internal project reviews.
• Report back on campaign performance. Collaborate with vendor and team to provide campaign data, insights and strategic recommendations based on client objectives, media strategy and results.
• Reports to Director Retail Search.

SKILLS NEEDED:

• 5+ years of experience in retail search space
• Confident presenter and clear, persuasive communicator (verbal and written) of complicated information.
• Doer (v. a talker) with a “roll up your sleeves and figure it out” mentality.
• Exceptional Excel skills are necessary (Pivot Tables, Vlookups, etc)
• Google Suite Experience (Google Sheets, Docs, Slides)
• Must have hands-on-keyboard media buying experience, including actively building and implementing keyword, ad group, audience & targeting strategies in-platform; real-time bidding expertise; proactive campaign monitoring; optimization; and results-based reporting.
• Retail media buying experience on Amazon and one or more of the following platforms is required – Walmart, Criteo, Citrus Ads, Kroger/Promote IQ, Instacart
• Google SEM or similar experience is a plus, but not required.
• Strong attention to detail and talented multi-tasker with an ability to organize and prioritize workload to manage timelines, budgets and deliverables for self, client, vendor and internal team.
• Ambitious self-starter who takes ownership of and great pride in his/her work.
• Passion for and strong knowledge of all elements of the retail and omnichannel media landscape.
• Creative and strategic thinker who gets excited about taking on and solving complex challenges.
• Curious and dissatisfied with the status quo, always thinking of ways to improve and grow.
• Collaborative team player and great listener, but unafraid to challenge peers or clients when necessary in order to achieve the best results for the project.