Theresa Petrone Butts
Principal, Senior Director, Global Vendor Management @Mercer
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WORK HISTORY
Principal, Senior Director, Global Vendor Management @Mercer
Lead a global team of 25+ vendor management professionals across multiple countries, providing strategic direction, coaching, and operational oversight to ensure alignment with corporate priorities and evolving regulatory expectations. • Develop and execute enterprise vendor strategy, modernizing processes, technology, and governance models to strengthen supplier performance, reduce risk, and support business growth across multiple business lines. • Serve as a senior-level advisor to executive leadership on vendor strategy, contract negotiation, third-party risk, and operational dependencies, influencing decision-making at the highest levels of the organization. • Negotiate complex vendor agreements—including pricing, incentives, performance measures, and program terms—to increase value, improve service delivery, and drive cost optimization. • Oversee global contract lifecycle management and vendor onboarding, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation, and alignment with enterprise financial and operational goals. • Implement advanced reporting and analytics to track vendor performance, identify profitability opportunities, and provide predictive insights that inform executive strategy and planning. • Lead vendor rationalization and integration efforts across mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, ensuring smooth transitions, reduced redundancy, and strategic supplier alignment. • Build and maintain senior-level relationships with high-impact vendors, serving as the executive liaison and primary point of escalation for complex issues and negotiations.
EDUCATION
University at Albany
Bachelor of Arts, History; Business and Psychology
ABOUT THERESA PETRONE BUTTS
I am a strategic operations and vendor management executive with extensive experience leading high-performing teams, developing enterprise vendor strategies, and partnering with senior leadership to drive organizational alignment and operational excellence. My background includes leading global vendor management programs for Fortune 500 companies, building vendor governance frameworks, optimizing supplier performance, and strengthening third-party partnerships across healthcare, consulting, and financial services.I specialize in vendor strategy, supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, rebate and incentive program optimization, and third-party risk management. I have a proven track record of improving financial outcomes, enhancing operational efficiency, and building scalable processes that support corporate growth. My leadership style emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, strong communication, and data-driven decision making to deliver measurable business results.Across my career, I’ve served as a trusted advisor to executives, partnering closely with Operations, Finance, Sales, Legal, Compliance, and Technology to ensure alignment between vendor strategy and organizational priorities. I excel in roles that require strategic planning, executive support, and the ability to integrate people, processes, and priorities—making me highly effective in Chief of Staff, Strategic Operations, and Vendor Management / Supplier Relations executive roles.Core areas of expertise:• Vendor Strategy & Supplier Management• Executive Partnership & Chief of Staff Support• Contract Negotiation, Incentives & Rebate Programs• Strategic Planning & Organizational Alignment• Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement• Team Leadership, Talent Development & Coaching• Third-Party Risk Management & Governance• Healthcare, Consulting & Regulated Environments• Performance Analytics, KPI Development & Reporting• Operational Excellence & Process OptimizationRecognized as a 40 Under Forty honoree and award-winning board leader, I bring a balanced mix of strategic thinking, operational rigor, and relationship-building that strengthens teams, drives growth, and supports long-term organizational success.
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