Karen Johnson

Experience

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  Dimension Data

  Nov 1997 - Apr 2014

  Co-ordinated, ran, consolidated, prepared and quality-assured all tenders, bids and proposals for Network Integration, Converged Communications and iMedia divisions - often working closely with DD's Bid Office, Special Projects, and many cross Line of Business deals. Setting up of processes and training of teams on bid cycle. Management and Executive involvement. Basic Cisco configurations, quotations, orders, tracking and arranging of installations for Network Integration team. Internal and external client liaison. Attention to detail in terms of pricing and client-ready documentation. Liaison with Stores, Logistics, Buyers, Debtors/Creditors, and many other internal divisions. Detailed understanding of pricing templates and systems. Expedites and follow ups on international orders. Global and MEA dealings for international clients.

  • Bid Manager

    Aug 2010 - Apr 2014

  • Sales Support

    Nov 1997 - Aug 2010
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  Lanseria Lion Park

  Mar 2002 - Jul 2003

  Volunteer Work - Eco Guide

  Worked weekends as an Eco Guide taking International and Local tourists on safari tours and into lion cub enclosures, explaining behavior and park details/rules and what the Park is about, answering questions on Africa, all animals in the Park, customer liaison. Also working in the nursery with very small cubs and animals, feeding, cleaning, rehabilitating. Setting up schedules/rosters for all Eco Guides.

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  Internet Solutions

  May 2014 - Jul 2020

  Bid Office Team Leader and Life/Business Coach

  Managed / Lead the Bid Office team at Internet Solutions (a division of Dimension Data) as well as managed large, complex bids throughout Southern Africa and MEA. Managed risk mitigation, governance and security procedures to ensure the production of sound bids. Facilitated formation of bid response and helped drive development of the bid strategy and value proposition. Created and implemented a qualification (bid / no bid) process specific to Internet Solutions. Effectively lead the Bid Office through proficient process-reviews and business engagements to successfully increase the Win Rate. Facilitated discussions and decision-making, problem-solving, and negotiation. Efficiently managed escalations and issues on behalf of Bid Office on all tenders. Facilitated, Presented and Communicated Bid Office vision and process to Sales and product business units, as well as induction training to new-starts. Established checks and balances within the process to ensure an auditable trail of records is always available on the bid sites and source new and updated bid collateral from all areas of the business. Effectively and successfully managed cross-country teams and clients through the initiative to identify and ‘save’ potential churn through the Voice of the Client, involving internal and external audiences. Efficient development of a Win/Loss Review process within the organization (with the client and internal reviews). I was the Internet Solutions representative on the South African National Treasury’s Central Supplier Database (CSD) system for Public Sector. Show less

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  Dimension Data

  Jun 2020 - Jan 2023

  Senior Bid Manager

  Management of PHVS (Priority High Value Services) Client tenders.Management and co-ordination of ‘Big-Bet’ tenders (extremely high value, complex, ‘must win’ public sector bids).Assisting management with input for a new Qualification Process to be automated for the Dimension Data Bid Office.Management of day-to-day bids / proposal responses, and the bid teams from various Go-To-Markets' within the organisation to put a professional, winning bid together in time and within profitable parameters. Proof-reading, editing and formatting of Executive Summaries and Proposals for bid submissions.Co-ordinating review and sign-off sessions with Executives and Management teams. Show less

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  TPG Telecom

  Jan 2023 - now

  Senior Bid Manager