Manager, Commerce Programmatic

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 Wavemaker: A Leading WPP Media Brand This role is within Wavemaker, a leading brand within WPP Media, where you will be instrumental in provoking growth for clients through pioneering media, content, and technology solutions. Role Summary & Impact The Manager, Programmatic Commerce will utilize their retail expertise to drive excellence in tactical activation and day-to-day management of programmatic-based activations. You will lead audience and creative strategy development, competitive research, day-to-day campaign setup, management, and reporting of programmatic media buys. This role will be focused on programmatic activations across several retailer media networks and DSPs, including but not limited to Amazon, CitrusAd, Criteo, The Trade Desk, Walmart, etc. The role will require an understanding of each of the platforms and DSP’s programmatic offerings – from self-serve to managed service buys. You will connect directly with the retail media networks at each of the key customers on behalf of, and in partnership with the client. You will be supporting the Director, Programmatic Commerce as we seek to maximize retail media investment for our client accounts. An entrepreneurial spirit with a bias for action and problem-solving is necessary to be successful in this role. Skills and Experience Manage a team of direct reports and their career development. Oversee programmatic media activations across several retailer media networks and DSPs, including but not limited to Amazon, CitrusAd, Criteo, The Trade Desk, Walmart, etc. Execute campaign setup, bid recommendations, and budgeting to ensure overall client goal attainment, including the use of retail bid management technologies where applicable such as Pacvue, Skai, and Epsilo. Maintain excellent relationships with key account stakeholders to maximize promotional opportunities and assist them in navigating the Commerce activation landscape. Ensure on-going campaign compliance to GroupM established guidelines and best practices. Lead the incorporation of cross-channel testing and optimization strategies. Prepare campaign performance reports on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. Synthesize key data points, identify trends, and recommend activities to maximize business results and deliver an optimal customer experience. Address technical issues with media campaign serving. Stay up to date on changing marketplace dynamics surrounding ad products, technology and measurement across programmatic partners. Manage reconciliation, invoicing/billing, trafficking, and mapping data to our internal media campaign management platform. Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising; OR equivalent professional work experience 3+ years of experience in biddable performance media execution or paid ecommerce, with a strong preference for retail media programmatic execution. Experience managing a team of direct reports. Experience across the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Deep understanding of retail commercial elements such as profit margin, inventory levels, forecasting, and demand planning to inform media decisions. Deep understanding of how different media channels work together and how retail media fits within the wider ecosystem. Strong drive to understand the retail landsc…