SHARRON ZHU
Greater Sacramento Area
Summary
Strategic, solutions-oriented IT and business leader with deep expertise in supplier management, technology operations, and enterprise cost transformation. Proven track record of leading complex vendor portfolios, governing large-scale technology programs, and delivering multi-million-dollar savings through disciplined financial management and operational optimization. Collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader known for building trusted cross-functional partnerships across IT, Finance, Procurement, HR, and business teams. Brings a broad perspective from experience in sales operations, product strategy, analytics, and customer experience to drive alignment, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal, IT Supplier Management
Blue Shield of California
05.2019 - Current
- Provide governance oversight of the company’s $220M+ annual Application Development & Maintenance (ADM) Program, ensuring strong business performance, aligned security posture, financial stability, and overall contractual compliance for a program critical to enterprise software delivery.
- Shape and execute the enterprise ADM cost‑transformation plan, targeting a 40% spend reduction in 2026 through right‑shoring, AI‑driven automation, workforce optimization, and vendor consolidation; build on a history of generating $8M–$12M in annual ADM savings through financial analysis, efficiency enhancements, and strategic contract negotiations.
- Drive strategic, enterprise‑enabling initiatives by partnering with leaders across IT, Finance, Procurement, HR Shared Services, and business units to align supplier capabilities with corporate strategy, operational goals, and technology roadmaps.
- Enhance supplier oversight through structured business reviews, performance scorecards, and risk‑based monitoring frameworks to strengthen accountability, transparency, and risk mitigation.
- Contribute to enterprise-wide IT supplier strategy, governance, and performance management across major technology vendor portfolios.
Chief of Staff, IT Shared Services
01.2019 - 04.2019
- Supported executive leadership in driving operational planning, strategic execution, and cross‑functional alignment across IT Shared Services, ensuring clarity of priorities.
- Facilitated leadership communications, status reporting, and planning forums that enabled informed decision‑making, operational transparency, and timely resolution of risks and issues.
Rotational Roles
Shield Emerging Leaders Development Program
08.2016 - 06.2018
- Sales Operations Consultant: Created TRIO membership dashboard; delivered market insights supporting TRIO sales growth; represented BSC’s value proposition to employers, producers, and members.
- Project Manager: Led cross-functional teams to redesign survey processes, maximizing measurement efficiency and effectiveness; improved enterprise learning metrics.
- Product Owner: Improved system enhancement intake processes by advancing ROI and benefits tracking; collaborated with business and IT partners to apply Agile methodologies.
- Product Strategy Consultant: Designed and implemented readiness plan for PlanDocs self‑service capabilities for Premier Accounts; conducted competitive and customer experience analyses.
Retirement Plans Research Lead
LIMRA
09.2015 - 08.2016
- Managed communications with member companies to interpret and deliver insights from retirement plan benchmarking surveys.
- Directed institutional research initiatives using advisory boards, online panels, study groups, and publications.
Market Research Associate, Hardcopy Peripherals Solutions & Services
IDC
06.2015 - 09.2015
- Presented U.S. Imaging, Printing, and Document Solutions market trends using sizing and forecasting tools.
- Strengthened vendor relationships through interviews, publications, and public speaking at IDC/IDG events.
GLDP Customer Analytics MBA Associate
MetLife
06.2014 - 08.2014
- Selected globally as one of 23 participants for MetLife’s leadership development program.
- Supported enterprise-wide customer centricity initiatives through forums and collaborative projects.
- Developed metrics and survey instruments to measure customer experience improvements across the Customer Solutions Center.
- Partnered with business leaders and external stakeholders to manage technology and process improvement initiatives including IVR design, scripting, personas, and style guides.
Business Development Manager
Pathway Capital Partners, LLC
07.2012 - 12.2013
- Built and managed relationships with 130+ clients, improving investor portfolio systems to maximize EB‑5 capital potential.
- Contributed to securing $15MM in angel funding and a strategic partnership with Eastman Kodak Business Park through comprehensive business plan development.
- Conducted competitive biotech market analyses and supported federal grant proposals (DOE, DOD, USDA).
Education
MBA -
Bentley University
BA - International Relations & Affairs
University of Rochester
Skills
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Supplier management
- Contract negotiation
- Cost Optimization
- Technology Strategy Alignment
- Risk & Performance Management
- Strategic planning
- MS Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Publisher
- Access
- Outlook
- Visio
- SharePoint
- Tableau
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native/ Bilingual
Chinese (Cantonese)
Professional
Timeline
Principal, IT Supplier Management
Blue Shield of California
05.2019 - Current
Chief of Staff, IT Shared Services
01.2019 - 04.2019
Rotational Roles
Shield Emerging Leaders Development Program
08.2016 - 06.2018
Retirement Plans Research Lead
LIMRA
09.2015 - 08.2016
Market Research Associate, Hardcopy Peripherals Solutions & Services
IDC
06.2015 - 09.2015
GLDP Customer Analytics MBA Associate
MetLife
06.2014 - 08.2014
Business Development Manager
Pathway Capital Partners, LLC
07.2012 - 12.2013
MBA -
Bentley University
BA - International Relations & Affairs
University of Rochester