Leila Kao's Portfolio
Hello, I'm Leila!
Fifth year in the States, I'm a 9-5 happy dog mom working in my dream industry—supply chain—since my master's degree. I enjoy working closely with data and humans at the same time; for me, analytical skills are just as important as communication.
My experience in the fast-paced consumer electronics and mobile accessory space has taught me how to stay agile. Collaborating with different departments, from Product Development and Program Management to Engineering teams, gives me an all-around picture to ensure complex projects meet business objectives.
I believe in learning by doing. Moving from a supply chain beginner to where I am now, my strong learning ability has allowed me to evolve my role from solely procurement to the bridge between replenishment and demand planning. By validating forecasts against actual shipment plans, I ensure purchasing decisions are aligned with real demand, managing weekly shipments of up to 300,000 units across 200+ SKUs.
My goal is to stay up to date on how the supply chain can improve across different industries, especially in fast-growing sectors like tech and healthcare. Feel free to reach out if you would like to ask any questions or I am always happy to connect if you have a furry friend as well!
Background
TAIWAN
Born and raised on the beautiful island—Taiwan, my Mandarin background has given me a strong advantage in my career. I hold a bachelor's degree in Finance and International Business, specializing heavily in global market strategies as my direct professor was a true guru in strategic planning. And needless to say, I'm a huge boba lover! I have a list of must-visit boba shops in SGV, so just let me know if you ever need a recommendation!
JAPAN
In my last year of college, I was chosen for an international study program in Japan, where I truly developed my English communication skills by making friends with international students. Without that experience, I wouldn't have been able to make the move to the US. Upon graduating, I leveraged my Japanese skills and began working at a Japanese advertising company, spending a year and a half as an online advertising consultant.
UNITED STATES
I earned my master's degree in Luxury and Brand Management in Savannah, Georgia—a historic town with so much to discover. It was there that one of my professors sparked my interest in supply chain by sharing her experiences as a planner for L'Oréal. I am truly thankful to her, as this is exactly what I wanted my career to be.
