Katherine (Kat) Chia

Vice President, Global Merchandise Sourcing, Asia @ The Walt Disney Company

About

A strategic sourcing and supply chain leader with over two decades of experience driving operational excellence across the Asia-Pacific region. I have led regional teams with global brands, optimised supplier systems, strengthened product quality, and delivered measurable cost efficiencies. Focused on building resilient, high-performing teams and driving organisational alignment, capability development, and operational excellence. A deeper learning skill in digital transformation and change management; has given me fresh perspectives on leveraging my industry experience and new strategic tools to help businesses modernise, scale smarter, and create more agile resilient organisations.I am always open to meaningful conversations on supply chain innovation, transformation and leadership.

Country

City

Singapore

Industry

Entertainment

Skill

Project Management Office (PMO), Business consulting, Problem solving, Design Thinking. , Team Leadership, Creative Problem Solving, Project Management, Digital Transformation & Change Management , Cross-Cultural Communication Skills, Global Sourcing, Sourcing, Merchandising, Apparel, Product Development, Strategic Sourcing, Fashion, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Consumer Products, Textiles, Private Label, Vendor Management, Brand Management

Experience

Vice President, Global Merchandise Sourcing, Asia

The Walt Disney Company

2022-2 - 2025-5 · 3 yrs 4 mos

Singapore, Singapore

• Lead a global team in Asia (60 staff), supporting merchandise sourcing, quality assurance and trade management. • Develop 3 year plan overarching suppliers sourcing strategies, source country diversification and organizational evolution. • Plan talent development program for stars. • Supported launch of DisneyStores.com in Japan, Australia and S.E.A and Wholesale business in Middle East regions, Korea and Philippines. The launches exceeded expectation for revenue planned. • Set up new Quality Assurance (QA) team in Vietnam to deliver high quality products to the stores. • Established and Implemented Quality Empowerment Program to raise the quality management bar for manufacturing at the factory level.

Director, Global Sourcing Merchandise - Asia

The Walt Disney Company (Asia Pacific) Limited

2012-10 - 2022-2 · 9 yrs 5 mos

Hong Kong

Lead a Global Merchandise Sourcing and Creative Design team in Asia. Support development, creative design and manage production and delivery of retail merchandise for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as well as other global partners. • Developed 3 years organization plan for team in Asia. • Developed sourcing strategy with US sourcing team and cross functional sourcing partners located in stakeholders in Paris, Hong Kong, Japan, China and Hong Kong. • Created new fabric and accessories with both new and existing mills/suppliers in Hong Kong/China, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea. • Supported the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2004 and Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016. • Coached and developed succession plan for high potential team members and delivered strong staff retention with very little attrition during tenure.