Gorgeous Girls In Supply Chain: Sylvia Ng
Welcome to our series celebrating the incredible women in Supply Chain and Logistics! In a traditionally male-dominated field, it's important to shine a light on the inspiring women who are making a significant impact. Through a mix of insightful and fun questions, we’ll explore their journeys, challenges, and successes. While we acknowledge the contributions of everyone in this industry, this series aims to elevate the voices and stories of women who often get missed. Sylvia Ng is our next feature.
SYLVIA NG
From the moment I sat down with Sylvia at Manifest, I knew that I wanted to feature her on GGs. With a background in tech, including time at Shopify, she recognized that returns were not only costly for a business but also for the environment. So she set out to build ReturnBear a unique way to address an all too common challenge in e-commerce.
Sylvia is the kind of woman who believes in speaking up, taking up space, and never waiting for permission, a mindset that is so necessary for women in our industry. Looking forward to watching ReturnBear grow.
What is your current role and company?
CEO, ReturnBear
How did you end up in the world of supply chain?
I have a tech background and have always wanted to do something positive for the environment. When I was at Shopify a few years back, I came across the massive returns problem and realized how inefficient and wasteful the process was. Almost $1 trillion worth of goods are returned every year in North America, with many ending up in landfills or being unnecessarily shipped across the globe. At ReturnBear, we’re changing that. Our Multi-Facility Fulfillment (MFF) model significantly reduces the journey of returned goods, keeping them closer to where they need to be—whether that’s restocked, resold, or refurbished. By cutting out unnecessary shipping, we’re not just reducing costs for brands, but also lowering emissions and making e-commerce returns more sustainable. That’s how I ended up in supply chain—because solving returns isn't just a logistics challenge; it’s a sustainability imperative.
What is your favourite part of your work day?
Working with my team to make our product and service better, and seeing merchants benefit from the results.
What is the least favourite part of your work day?
Administrative work. I hate doing expenses and scheduling!
What is a systemic issue in your part of the supply chain that concerns you currently?
The biggest systemic issue in returns is that most companies focus only on return authorization rather than the entire return lifecycle. Many brands think that automating refunds and generating return labels is "solving" returns—but that ignores the massive inefficiencies, unnecessary shipping, and inventory waste that happen after a return is approved.
Right now, returned items often take long, inefficient routes back to warehouses, sometimes even crossing borders multiple times before being resold or liquidated. This results in high costs, increased emissions, and avoidable waste, with many items ending up in landfills simply because there's no efficient way to route them.
Returns are more than a customer service function; it's a logistics and inventory optimization problem that can and should be solved at scale.
How would you address it if you had the power, money, or influence?
I would push for a major shift in how returns are prioritized and managed. Instead of treating them as a cost center, businesses need to see returns as a profit opportunity: better inventory recovery, improved customer satisfaction and retention, reduced waste, AND cost savings.
With the right influence, I would educate the industry on the importance of end-to-end return optimization, not just return initiation. ReturnBear has already proven that better routing, localized restocking, and reducing unnecessary shipping can drive both profitability and sustainability.
If more businesses adopted this model, we could:
Cut return costs by 30-50% by reducing avoidable shipping.
Reduce emissions by keeping inventory in-market rather than cross-border.
Recover more inventory value, preventing products from going to waste.
If I had the power, I’d push for returns to be treated as a strategic logistics challenge, not just a refund workflow. And, of course, I’d make sure ReturnBear is at the forefront of that shift.
What is one piece of advice you have for young women entering your field?
Stay curious and never stop learning. Logistics and e-commerce are constantly evolving, and the best way to stay ahead is to ask questions, experiment, and challenge the status quo—even if you’re the only one in the room doing it.
Also, don’t wait for permission to have a voice. Speak up, share your ideas, and take up space. The industry needs more women shaping the future of supply chain and logistics, and that starts with being bold enough to step forward.
What are your top 3 podcasts? (do not have to be industry related)
I don't listen to any podcasts on a regular basis, only episodes that people send me
Who are your top 5 women in supply chain to follow on LinkedIn?
This question made me pause—not because there aren’t incredible women in supply chain, but because their work isn’t amplified nearly enough. The supply chain industry is full of brilliant women tackling everything from logistics optimization to sustainability, yet they’re often underrepresented in leadership and media coverage.
That’s something that needs to change. That said, here are some women whose insights and leadership I respect on LinkedIn:
How do you deal with creeps you encounter in your work day?
Luckily, I don’t encounter many creeps in my workday, but I know it’s a reality for many people in professional settings. If I ever do, I handle it by setting clear boundaries, staying professional, and disengaging if necessary. In situations that warrant it, I wouldn’t hesitate to escalate the issue through the right channels.
What is your favourite way to unwind?
A spa day
What have you recently changed your mind about?
I recently changed my mind about attending Shoptalk. Initially, I wasn’t planning to go—my time is incredibly valuable, and I have to be selective about where I invest it. But when my team had an extra ticket and I realized there was a key partner I wanted to meet alongside my CRO, I reassessed.
At the end of the day, the right opportunities don’t always come in a perfectly planned package. Sometimes, being flexible and saying 'yes' opens doors that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. Now, I’m looking forward to making the most of it.
Must haves to get you thru the day?
A strong cup of tea – Just enough caffeine to function, but without the full existential dependence.
Hugs from my kids – A quick reminder that no matter how chaotic work gets, at least I’m the boss somewhere.
Humour in workplace situations – Because if you can’t laugh at supply chain nightmares, you’ll probably cry.
Veggie-packed meals – Energy for the long haul, and a decent excuse to offset any snack-related regrets.
Time to actually think – Not just jumping from one meeting to the next, but real space to strategize, solve problems, and occasionally stare out the window looking brilliant.
Social media for Sylvia:
