Manager, Commerce

Business Overview 

KINESSO is the technology-driven performance marketing agency providing actionable growth for both our agency partners and clients. We turn 'action' into 'outcome' for our clients, leveraging our unique capabilities in optimization, analytics, AI, and experimentation. KINESSO has brought together the collective power of what was formerly Matterkind, Reprise, P3, and Kinesso under one collective entity that will serve as the most powerful delivery engine in the industry. We have extensive offerings spanning across performance marketing and data and technology. Fueled by a deep understanding of consumer behavior, we offer an end-to-end engine of planning and optimization while also delivering on data-driven strategy for social platforms, actionable growth in e-commerce, and creating curated marketplaces specific to each client's function and needs. The company has more than 6,000 employees operating in more than 60 countries. Learn more at www.KINESSO.com.

We are looking for you - dynamic, best-in-class talent - to join the growing Commerce team as a Manager for Activation. In this role you will serve as the hands-on-keyboard platform expert, focusing on all aspects of successful campaign execution and stewardship. The Manager is accountable for the performance & pacing of their assigned brand(s) and customizes departmental standards & process to fit client needs. They act as a point of escalation and are the go-to experts for matters of complex setup, optimization, and platform nuances. They oversee the Senior Associate and work together to drive optimal performance of the campaigns. You’ll work closely with other members of the Commerce team to craft and implement nuanced media plans to drive performance for the client.  

The Commerce team is a specialty group that focuses on the planning, buying, execution and measurement of Commerce media. Commerce media is any specific media elements that are retailer focused/tagged. This can be in-store signage such as a coupon machine or shelfblade, a billboard driving shoppers to a Walmart store, digital ads (search, display, OLV/STV, etc) on Amazon or Kroger.com site via managed or self service, tapping influencers that support certain retailers or working with shoppable technology companies to ensure ease of conversion. The team supports client’s commerce/shopper/customer marketing teams—our end goal measuring product sales both online and in-store. 

• Media Knowledge 

• • Knowledge of multiple retail media networks & their platforms, may include Amazon, Walmart, Roundel, Kroger, etc. 

• • Proficient with both DSP interface functionality and levers (campaign hierarchy, audience builder, PMP/PG set up, reporting suite)  

• • Understands individual RMN capabilities across tactic, targeting, reporting methodology, etc. 

• Account Management & Strategy 

• • Active participant in development, management and measurement of self service media campaigns  

• • Works with the rest of the Commerce team in building audience targeting details and budget allocation at the tactic/placement level based on client goals  

• • Takes learnings from previous campaigns and apply to next campaign  

• • Leads weekly/bi-weekly calls with retailers and DSP partners, ensuring all partners are aware of client goals/strategy to better equip them to make relevant campaign optimization suggestions 

• • Leads in identification of growth opportunities and shares ideas for potential test and learns 

• • Oversees building of an effective detailed campaign, inclusive of tactics, audiences, flighting, KPIs, etc. that drives client performance 

• • Supports in establishing and implementing best practices within client accounts 

• • Ability to assess and rank issues and tasks in order of importance for taking action, knowing when to pivot between priorities and escalating as needed 

• • Anticipates, recognizes, and clearly defines problems using various techniques to systematically analyze, weigh alternatives and propose solutions 

• • Implements team and client centric processes to ensure accuracy of all deliverables (e.g. client documents, budget stewardship/management/reporting), improve overall team performance and minimize risk of human error through consistent implementation of QA guardrails 

• Execution 

• • Involved in and supervises the buying process and stewardship for self service media campaigns to ensure original objectives are being met 

• • Self service: Works with rest of Commerce team to ensure relevant strategies are implemented, builds and monitors campaigns in platform, assigns tags to correlating line items, and optimizes based on performance 

• • Works with retailers and DSP partners to ensure proper data onboarding and any necessary paperwork is completed prior to campaign launch 

• • Oversees and assists the Senior Associate with locating, determining, and building relevant audience segments in DSP platforms 

• • Oversees coordination of creative assets between client, creative agencies and partners, ensuring final assets are up to spec and abide by retailer creative guidelines 

• • Reviews and guides the building of trafficking sheets, spec sheets, and placement taxonomies 

• • Proficient with 3rd party ad-serving and site served placements, tracking & analytic systems to be able to accurately input media plan details and launch campaigns  

• • Development, execution and testing across campaign variables that create client specific insight and drive future testing opportunities 

• • Monitors pacing to ensure delivery is appropriate and aligned to campaign flighting  

• • Measures media performance at all stages to ensure original objectives and strategies are being met to client satisfaction  

• • Oversees analysis and reporting of data on daily/weekly/bi-weekly/monthly & ad-hoc basis in activation platforms and ad server for pacing, performance, and discrepancy check purposes 

• • Identifies a narrative through data analysis and turns insights into long term action by highlighting clear flow of cause, effect and next steps 

• • Well versed in building mapping docs and pivot tables in Excel and knows the use cases for formulas such as VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, SUMIF/SUMIFS and Calculated Fields with willingness to teach other team members 

• • Detailed knowledge of Brand Safety partner features and pre-bid/post-bid capabilities 

• • Troubleshoots campaign line items and parameters when encountering spend issues 

• • Maintains client and industry benchmarks for point of comparison when evaluating campaign performance 

• Relationships 

• • Works cross-functionally with the rest of the commerce team, ad operations, analytics, and other groups across the account 

• • Assists in managing team performance to achieve desired results based on defined roles and responsibilities for the Associate and Senior Associates 

• Training/Development 

• • Participation in trainings and proactive communication around areas of needed/desired growth for self  

• • Proactive idea sharing with internal team 

• • Aware of knowledge level and experience of Senior Associates and Associates. Ability to spend extra time where needed to develop direct reports 

• Industry Knowledge  

• • Seeks out information to remain current on media trends and shares with team members with relevant implications/potential opportunities 

• • Familiarity with client business objectives and connections to our day to day work 

• • Aware of the value propositions and proprietary offerings of the various DSP partners and retailers 

• • Well informed on the different optimization levers in the DSP (including but not limited to bid adjustments, frequency caps, devices/browsers, dayparting, geotargeting, viewability, etc.) 

• Strong working knowledge of commerce industry and platforms including major retailers and supporting technology (e.g. Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, Roundel, Pacvue, Skai, Criteo, TTD, etc.) 

• Proven ability to understand high level client goals and how they translate into tactical execution 

• Project management; effectively managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proven problem-solving ability  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience  

• 3+ years of working experience required, with 1+ years experience in a people manager role; strong ability to delegate, train, and support direct reports 

• 2+ years of commerce experience working across multiple retailers and self-service platforms 

• Self- sufficient and proactive 

• Ability to manage team, both upwards and downwards, to ensure cross-team communication 

• Process oriented and organized, with the ability to juggle many tasks at one time. Time management skills for self and team are critical  

• Comfortable in managing up across task progress, campaign performance and team needs  

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) 

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family. The salary range for this position is posted below.  Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.   

It is the policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please email [email protected].