Karen Wildes MCIPS

Observer
DISC Type : ci

Senior Sourcing Manager - Digital at Thames Water

Warwick, England, United Kingdom

Overview

Karen Wildes is a Senior Sourcing Manager for Digital at Thames Water, specializing in IT and OT procurement. A graduate of the University of Warwick, she has deep experience in strategic sourcing and contract management. Colleagues have described her as skilled, experienced, and resourceful.

She previously led procurement for a project at Virgin Trains to provide free, uninterrupted data connectivity on the UK rail network.

Personality Overview

Assertive

Value Driven

Curious

They can sound friendly and charming but can quickly change gears to become inquisitive and probing.  They are generally strong communicators and are not easy to convince. They often ask many questions and rely heavily on information and documentation.

Topics They Care About

IT & OT Sourcing
Her core specialty is category management for both information technology and operational technology, a key focus in her current and past roles.
Cloud Procurement
She has direct experience leading sourcing activities for cloud migration projects, a critical area of digital transformation for large enterprises.
Digital Connectivity
Managed procurement for a project providing uninterrupted data connectivity on the UK rail network, showing expertise in large-scale tech infrastructure.

Media Appearances

Karen has no verified media appearances

Work History

5-2020
Senior Sourcing Manager - Digital at Thames Water
3-2020 - 5-2020
Interim Commercial Manager at Ofqual
7-2019 - 2-2020
Commercial Manager at National Apprenticeship Service
8-2016 - 7-2019
Interim Lead Category Specialist at Severn Trent Water
12-2015 - 8-2016
Interim Procurement Manager -Technology Projects at Virgin Trains

Education

Management from University of Warwick - Warwick Business School

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 29 Location : Warwick, England, United Kingdom Job Level : Middle Designation : Senior Sourcing Manager - Digital at Thames Water
URL has been copied!

Insights For Selling To Karen

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Use phrases like ‘clear proof that’, ‘data shows’ etc.
  • Share testimonials from known people and give multiple examples of product value
  • Help them understand the risk aspect fully while inspiring confidence

DONT's

  • Don’t be too objective but make sure to pad your storytelling with data points
  • Don’t try to rush them into a decision, provide all necessary information first
  • Don’t rely excessively on your relationship with them to win the deal

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Karen is

  • Clear proof of product value matters to them, followed by others' testimonials and rapport.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Karen

  • They are practical yet friendly, don’t expect a clear no very often.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Karen move?

  • They like to analyze well and can take their time to reach any decisions.
  • Can Karen take some risk or not?

  • They systematically evaluate all decisions and are unlikely to take many risks.

You And Karen

Personality Compatibility


Other Thames Water Employees

Explore more public profiles from related professionals at the same organization.

More Profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

Search more profiles

Looking for someone else? Search here for anyone.

Or visit Humantic AI to know more.