Manager, Commerce Search

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 nected 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, Citrus Ad, 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, Citrus Ad, 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/Citrus Ad, 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
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