About
Rodrigo Sandoval: Leading Business Transformation and Operational Excellence Across Global Market
With over 13 years of executive experience, I have led business transformation across global operations, merchandising, and supply chains for some of the world’s most recognized brands. During my tenure at Walmart, I was promoted 10 times, ultimately managing a $650M category and driving a 40% increase in sales through strategic initiatives. My ability to spearhead large-scale transformation has resulted in double-digit growth, operational efficiencies, and significant cost reductions across international markets. I’ve partnered with industry leaders like Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever, leading joint business planning initiatives that have not only disrupted markets but also delivered sustainable growth.
My leadership spans continents, optimizing supply chains and operations across diverse regions to meet the evolving demands of the global market. From implementing cutting-edge technologies to streamlining cross-functional processes, I focus on driving innovation and profitability while fostering collaboration across teams and organizations.
Career Milestones & Global Leadership Impact
Vice President of Merchandising – Walmart Canada
Frozen Meats & Seafood | May 2022 – Oct 2023
Executive Leadership in Global Operations & P&L Management
Oversaw the CAD$400M frozen meats and seafood division, driving strategic pricing, merchandising, and supply chain initiatives to enhance sales growth and operational efficiency.
- Delivered a 40% increase in sales and margin by implementing data-driven product assortment strategies and optimizing supplier partnerships.
- Reduced shrink by 56%, resulting in CAD$4M in annual savings, through the execution of a variable weight solution and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Developed and launched 12 exclusive products, achieving a 98% fill rate while securing 10% cost savings through enhanced vendor negotiations.
- Spearheaded the seamless migration of over 2,000 products into a new department, resolving data misalignment and leading cross-functional collaboration.
Senior Director of Strategic Sourcing – Walmart
Cross-Functional Leadership in Supply Chain Strategy | Oct 2015 – Apr 2016
Led Walmart’s CAD$400M sourcing master plan, optimizing supply chain efficiencies through cross-functional leadership, vendor negotiations, and automation strategies.
- Directed a cross-functional team of 45 advisors and specialists to design and implement automated food production lines, improving labor efficiency and product quality across key categories.
- Secured executive-level approval for a 20-year production capacity forecast, ensuring long-term supply chain stability and addressing future market demands.
- Negotiated strategic procurement agreements with international suppliers, realizing significant cost savings and centralizing production across multiple product categories.
Senior Category Director – Walmart
Coffee, Tea, Breakfast Categories | Jul 2013 – Jul 2015
Led the CAD$650M portfolio across multiple product categories, driving growth through strategic vendor partnerships, P&L management, and targeted expansion initiatives.
- Delivered 10%+ sales growth, exceeding budget expectations, by leveraging customer insights to optimize product assortment and marketing strategies.
- Increased market share by 120 basis points through exclusive partnerships with global brands such as Starbucks, Kellogg’s, and General Mills, reinforcing Walmart’s market leadership.
- Achieved 98% P&L forecast accuracy, enabling precise financial planning and resource allocation across the business.
Founder – Sleep Science Company
Product Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Sep 2018 – Aug 2021 | Toronto Led product innovation initiatives in the wellness sector, designing and launching two mobile apps aimed at improving sleep quality through neurobiological research.- Directed the development and launch of sleep improvement apps, managing both front-end and back-end coding to create innovative solutions in the wellness market.
- Built a robust distribution network for product launches, ensuring smooth operations and market penetration in the growing sleep science industry.
Director Category Management – Walmart Canada
Seafood Category | Oct 2021 – Apr 2022
Managed the CAD$150M seafood category, ensuring supply chain resilience during industry-wide disruptions and driving market share growth through strategic initiatives.
- Relaunched Walmart’s fresh seafood line with new suppliers in under three months, securing consistent product availability across 400+ stores despite COVID-19 disruptions.
- Increased market share by 2% by developing sustainable product lines in collaboration with local Indigenous communities, enhancing customer engagement.
- Implemented local procurement strategies, ensuring continued product supply and mitigating the impact of global supply chain challenges.
Founder – Lizard Emotion
E-Commerce Leadership | Jul 2020 – Aug 2021 | Toronto
Founded and led three successful online apparel stores, overseeing end-to-end e-commerce operations, including product sourcing, marketing, and logistics.
- Built and scaled an e-commerce business focused on ethical sourcing and sustainable product lines, driving consistent sales growth through targeted digital marketing campaigns.
- Developed and executed customer acquisition strategies, optimizing online sales funnels and improving conversion rates across multiple platforms.
Partnered With Global Industry Leaders
Great leaders inspire action, empower teams, and drive change through collaboration and strategic vision.
Areas of Expertise
01.
Strategic Leadership
Driving cross-functional teams to achieve long-term business objectives through clear vision and decisive action.
02.
Business Transformation
Leading large-scale transformation initiatives that align operations and supply chains with evolving market demands.
03.
Supply Chain Optimization
Implementing strategies that optimize global supply chains, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency.
04.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Leveraging data analytics to inform strategic business decisions, optimize pricing, and unlock opportunities for growth.
05.
Innovation in Retail
Staying ahead of industry trends by integrating technology and customer insights to drive competitive advantage.
06.
Leading Cross-Functional Teams
Collaborating with diverse teams across business units to align on goals, streamline processes, and deliver impactful results.
07.
Driving Growth & P&L Management
Managing multi-million-dollar P&L accounts to maximize profitability and drive consistent, sustainable growth.
08.
Digital Transformation
Guiding businesses through digital innovation to enhance scalability, improve customer engagement, and streamline operations.
