Manager, Retail Search
WPP Media · 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 our pioneering agentic 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.
For more information, visit wppmedia.com.
About WPP Unite
WPP Unite is a specialized unit within the WPP network, designed to deliver integrated, transformative marketing solutions for some of our most strategic clients. We bring together talent and capabilities across disciplines, including media, creative, strategy, commerce, and analytics, to operate as one unified team.
Our focus is not only on delivering exceptional work, but on continuously evolving how we work. We build and scale modern operating models, workflows, and tools that drive efficiency, transparency, and measurable impact across the business.
Role Summary & Impact
As a Manager, Retail Search, you will lead the strategy, activation, and optimization of retail search campaigns across major retail media networks. You will play a critical role in helping clients drive measurable business growth by developing search strategies that improve visibility, increase sales, and maximize return on media investment.
You will partner closely with clients, agency teams, retailers, and commerce partners to translate business objectives into high-performing search programs across platforms including Amazon, Walmart, Criteo, CitrusAd, and other emerging retail media networks. Reporting to the Director, Commerce Search, you will help shape retail search best practices, identify growth opportunities, and contribute to the continued evolution of commerce media capabilities across the organization.
Skills and Experience
-
Lead retail search strategy and activation across multiple retail media networks and marketplaces.
-
Develop and optimize keyword, bidding, budget allocation, targeting, and product-level strategies to maximize campaign performance and achieve client KPIs.
-
Manage day-to-day campaign execution, including setup, pacing, optimization, reporting, troubleshooting, and quality assurance.
-
Analyze search performance, marketplace trends, and competitive activity to identify optimization opportunities and drive incremental growth.
-
Partner with the Director, Commerce Search to develop testing frameworks, activation methodologies, and retail search best practices.
-
Build and maintain strong relationships with retail media partners including Amazon, Walmart, Criteo, CitrusAd, and other emerging platforms.
-
Stay informed on retail media innovations, marketplace advertising products, search algorithms, measurement solutions, and industry best practices.
-
Utilize platforms such as Pacvue, Skai, Epsilon, and other retail media technologies to improve activation efficiency and campaign performance.
-
Connect search performance to broader commerce objectives, including sales, profitability, inventory planning, promotional support, and demand generation.
-
Collaborate with planning, investment, analytics, commerce, and client teams to ensure retail search is integrated into broader media and commerce strategies.
-
Lead, mentor, and develop direct reports while helping establish operational excellence and best practices across the Commerce Search team.
-
Bachelor's Degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or equivalent professional work experience.
-
3+ years of experience in retail media, paid search, biddable media, commerce media, or related performance marketing disciplines.
-
Strong hands-on experience managing retail search campaigns across platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, Target, Kroger, Criteo/CitrusAd, or comparable retail media networks.
-
Deep understanding of keyword development, bidding strategies, product targeting, search placements, budget allocation, and optimization methodologies.
-
Experience using retail media and bid-management platforms such as Pacvue, Skai, Epsilon, or similar technologies.
-
Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends and translate performance data into actionable business recommendations.
-
Understanding of how retail search integrates with broader commerce, media, and marketing strategies.
-
Experience managing and developing team members while providing coaching and mentorship.
-
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and project management skills.
-
Demonstrated problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and a proactive, growth-oriented mindset.
-
Passion for retail media, commerce, search, and the rapidly evolving marketplace ecosystem.
Life at WPP Media & Benefits
Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.
We Create an Open Environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team 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 when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in an 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.
Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.
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 for more details.
US Pay Range$60,000—$140,000 USD
Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.