John Ball

Senior Logistics Manager | Specialist in High-Volume Hub & Spoke Logistics | Ex-RAF | Driving Operational Excellence & Cost Control

Greater Derby Area

About

I am a results-driven Senior Operations Leader with over 30 years of experience in high-pressure logistics environments, ranging from military service in the Royal Air Force to executive leadership at DHL Express. My expertise lies in planning, organising, and controlling complex 'Hub and Spoke' operations that connect Europe, Scandinavia, and the USA. Throughout my career, I have specialised in driving a culture of continuous improvement by living Global SOPs and embracing EOS initiatives. I have a proven track record of meeting long-term service and quality targets while strictly controlling cost-per-piece. Whether managing heavy-weight machinery sort operations or overseeing road logistics, my focus remains on a 'customer-first' approach and maintaining a highly motivated workforce. I am adept at developing business recovery plans and ensuring total compliance with regulatory agencies. I thrive in environments where procedures and routings of material are constantly changing, taking full responsibility for implementing and monitoring these shifts to ensure maximum efficiency and reporting directly to Senior Management. Core Expertise: •Strategic Automated Sort & Road Operations Management •Global Hub & Spoke Logistics (EMA HUB) •Continuous Improvement (Standard Operating Procedures, Focus Strategy, Employee engagement) •Business Recovery & Crisis Management •Regulatory Compliance & Safety (RAF Trained) •Budgeting & Cost-Per-Piece Optimisation • Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to motivate and coach a team to operational success. • Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills, with a focus on maintaining on-site engagement. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to establish logical, practical solutions. • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage time effectively. • Results-oriented with a commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality and communication. • Positive, people-oriented approach and readiness to tackle daily challenges.

Experience

  • Director Sort Operations at DHL
    Mar 2024 - Feb 2026 · 2 yrs

    • Planned, organized, and controlled sort operations to meet service and quality targets. • Collaborated with managers to foster a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement. • Developed business recovery plans focusing on a customer-first approach while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

  • DHL Express UK (29 yrs 2 mos)
    • Director of Operations
      Mar 2024 - Feb 2026 · 2 yrs

      Executive Operational Accountability: Strategically lead and control sort operations at the East Midlands Airport HUB, the central point in a global hub and spoke network. Financial Stewardship: Initiating systems to control cost-per-piece while maintaining a highly motivated workforce and meeting long-term quality targets. Strategic Reporting: Directly reporting to the EMA HUB VP, ensuring material is processed in accordance with established procedures for distribution within predetermined time frames. Infrastructure Management: Overseeing complex conveyor systems and heavy-weight lifting machinery for both conveyable and non-conveyable shipments. Business Critical Oversight: Managing essential functions including the Found Shipment Center, Repack, and Bond Management. Cultural Leadership: Driving a culture of continuous improvement by living Global SOP, Focus strategy, and embracing EOS initiatives.

    • Director Road Operations
      Apr 2022 - Mar 2024 · 2 yrs

      Project lead to redevelop gatehouse team and facility to manage a 24/7 road network consisting of DOM and EU schedule with over 200 trucking movements each day. I also oversaw the transition of the inbound and outbound Customs processes to be included in the new road operations team, from the existing HUB team. Proactively engaged with HM Customs authorities to ensure compliance and define fall back procedures. CPC training.

    • Director of Operations
      Apr 2022 - Mar 2024 · 2 yrs

      Network Optimization: Managed 24/7 road operations focusing on team capability, Lean strategies, and compliance across the UK's road network. Project lead to redevelop gatehouse team and facility to manage a 24/7 road network consisting of DOM and EU schedule with over 200 trucking movements each day. I also oversaw the transition of the inbound and outbound Customs processes to be included in the new road operations team, from the existing HUB team. Proactively engaged with HM Customs authorities to ensure compliance and define fall back procedures. Introduction to CPC training.

  • Ramp Operations Manager at DHL Aviation
    Aug 2011 - Jun 2013 · 1 yr 11 mos

  • Senior Aircraftsman at Royal Air Force (RAF)
    May 1990 - Feb 1996 · 5 yrs 10 mos

    Air Movements Controller - Logistics Aircraft handling, Export, Imports and Load control functions. Trade training at Brize Norton. Posting to RAF Northolt, RAF Akrotiri and RAF Lyneham