Otto Esquivel
San Jose
Summary
Dynamic retail management professional with extensive experience in driving team success and operational excellence. Proven track record of enhancing customer service, optimizing inventory management, and fostering staff development to achieve organizational goals. Committed to cultivating a collaborative work environment that promotes efficiency and delivers exceptional customer experiences. Recognized for reliability and adaptability in fast-paced retail settings, ensuring smooth operations and satisfaction at every level.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
11.2025 - Current
- The Alameda
Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2021 - 06.2025
- Stevens Creek
- Led daily operations, ensuring optimal store performance and team alignment with corporate standards, with AWS of $1.7M from 2021- 2025.
- Developed and implemented training programs for a team of 300+ employees to enhance team productivity and customer service skills.
- Oversaw inventory management processes, optimizing stock levels and reducing waste through strategic ordering.
- Mentored team leaders and Associate Store Team Leader to facilitate professional growth and enhance leadership capabilities among staff members.
- Collaborated with other Store Team Leaders to share best practices and improve overall store performance.
- Adapted quickly to changing business conditions by adjusting staffing levels or altering operational priorities as needed to maintain productivity levels.
- Monitored store financials closely, identifying areas for cost reduction without sacrificing quality or service levels.
- Optimized store layout for improved customer flow and easier navigation through merchandise displays.
- Led a team of 300+ employees to achieve store sales targets and goals consistently.
- Followed inventory management and loss prevention policies to minimize shrink in store.
- Collaborated with visual merchandisers to create eye-catching displays that showcased featured products effectively while reflecting brand standards consistently.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures, maintaining a safe work environment for all team members.
- Developed and implemented process improvements that reduced operational costs while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Mentored staff on best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
- Analyzed operational data to identify trends, providing insights for informed decision-making at the executive level.
- Empowered employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
- Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines.
- Managed budgets effectively, consistently delivering projects on-time and within financial constraints.
- Increased profit by streamlining operations.
- Led successful change initiatives, ensuring seamless transitions during organizational restructuring efforts.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Observed each team's individual strengths and initiated a mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
Store Team Leader - New Store
Whole Foods Market
08.2020 - 01.2021
- Sunnyvale
Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
10.2019 - 08.2020
Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2019 - 10.2019
- Palo Alto
Associate Store Team Leader/Acting STL
Whole Foods Market
01.2018 - 01.2019
- The Alameda
Associate Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Stevens Creek
Associate Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
02.2011 - 01.2017
- Blossom Hill
Produce Team Leader - New Store
Whole Foods Market
10.2010 - 02.2012
- Blossom Hill
Produce Team Leader - New Store
Whole Foods Market
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Capitola
PFDS Team Member
Whole Foods Market
11.1998 - 01.2003
- Franklin
Education
Associate of Science - Business Administration
San José City College
Santa Clara, CA12-2027
Skills
- Achieving operational efficiency
- Financial expertise
- Team member development
- Team empowerment
- Establishing trust
- Collaborative teamwork
- Retail merchandising
Accomplishments
- Created highly effective innovative programs that significantly impacted efficiency and improved operations and financial execution in all 4 stores as Store Team Leader, with sales increase of $150K-$300K a week in some stores.
- Improved communication and partnerships between Amazon employees and WF TMs by fostering a One store One team Culture and through consistent communication around goals and expectations, resulting in increasing efficiency and better customer satisfaction for online channel and in-store customers.
- Promoted 4 Associate Store Team Leaders to Store Team Leaders, 24 Associate team leaders, 27 team leaders, and 9 CD Associate Store Team Leaders.
- 2022 Store Operations Leading the Way Awards, #1 for February, March, April, May, #2 January, June, #3 July
- 2021 Store Operations Leading the Way #1 Awards for June, July, September, and #2 for August, and November.
Certification
- CA Food Manager's Certification
Languages
English: Full Professional
Spanish: Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
11.2025 - Current
Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2021 - 06.2025
Store Team Leader - New Store
Whole Foods Market
08.2020 - 01.2021
Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
10.2019 - 08.2020
Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2019 - 10.2019
Associate Store Team Leader/Acting STL
Whole Foods Market
01.2018 - 01.2019
Associate Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2017 - 01.2018
Associate Store Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
02.2011 - 01.2017
Produce Team Leader - New Store
Whole Foods Market
10.2010 - 02.2012
Produce Team Leader - New Store
Whole Foods Market
01.2009 - 01.2010
PFDS Team Member
Whole Foods Market
11.1998 - 01.2003
Associate of Science - Business Administration
San José City College
Awards
2024 All-Star Best Executed Store in Northern California, 2023 All- Star Second Best Executed store, 2022 Spring Best Executed Store, 2022 Retail Marvel, 2021 All-Star third Best Executed Store, Global Produce Masters of Merchandising Summer 2012, 2009 NC Produce All-Star, 2007-08 NC WOW Tours - Best executed Produce Department