John Vest
Phoenix,USA
Summary
Dynamic senior manager with over 26 years of leadership experience in logistics, aviation, military operations, and distribution, recognized for driving operational excellence and strategic growth. Expertise in operations management, P&L oversight, and strategic planning consistently enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and maximizes team performance. Proficient in Lean process improvements, contract negotiations, and managing multimillion-dollar assets in high-pressure environments, with a proven ability to build high-performance teams and deliver results through collaboration and adaptability. A comprehensive understanding of resource management and a strong track record of implementing impactful process improvements optimize operational efficiencies and lead cross-functional teams to success.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Operations Manager (Amazon)
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS)
10.2024 - Current
- Manage warehouse and airport ramp operations for Amazon Express cargo, ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLA) and maintaining operational excellence in a fast-paced 24/7 environment.
- Led and mentored a diverse team of managers, ramp agents, and warehouse agents, fostering a culture of teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Ensured strict compliance with TSA, US Customs/Border Protection, and FAA regulations, managing safety protocols and reporting requirements for incidents, accidents, and security breaches in accordance with FAA regulations 14 CFR parts 91, 119, 139, 291 and 1542.
- Collaborated with executive-level contract partners to ensure seamless integration of operations and compliance with customer needs.
- Oversee recruiting, hiring, performance management, and employee relations, providing coaching and feedback to enhance team performance.
- Produced and analyzed weekly and monthly operational reports, presenting key performance indicators to senior leadership for strategic decision-making.
- Responsible for ensuring compliance with all operational safety protocols, including conducting drills, fulfilling command roles, implementing post-incident testing procedures, and overseeing safety reporting and post-inspection evaluations. Ensured all reports were accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
- Oversaw WFS daily operations in the West Cargo area at PHX Sky Harbor, coordinating daily with City of Phoenix, FAA, and TSA officials on airfield inspections, construction projects, improvement planning, and runway safety
- Oversaw workforce management planning, volume predictions and capacity planning.
- Built strong relationships with key stakeholders through consistent engagement, collaboration, and transparent communication practices.
Admin & Office Student Trainee - FAA Gateways Intern
Federal Aviation Administration
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Assisted the Air Traffic Office QA and Support Manager for ABQ District in compliance of operational requirements based on FAA Regulation JO 7110.65 and 14 CFR Part 91.
- Collected and analyzed data for runway occupancy at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in support of the FAA runway safety planning review in compliance with 14 CFR Part 139 regulations.
- Conducted a study for Managerial Program Assistant personnel requirements within the district
- Participated in Runway Safety Planning for Phoenix local airports including Scottsdale, Deer Valley, and Sky Harbor.
Senior Operations Manager
United States Marine Corps
01.2018 - 05.2020
- Project manager for the review and revision of technical publications and SOPs, completed under budget and within time parameters.
- Effectively managed departmental budgets, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and resource optimization.
- Technical expert and advisor to executive leadership.
- Technical representative for Marine Corps level programs (Towed Artillery Systems (TAS) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to include government contracting for development, testing and fielding of new systems or system upgrades.
- Designated coordinator for the National Institute of Health (NIH) for human factor studies on mitigation of physiological effects of artillery operations on personnel.
- Supervisory responsibility including the assignment, training, health, and well-being for over 1600 personnel and accountability for all maintenance requirements in excess of $219.6 Million
- Planned, coordinated, and supervised operations for unit certification within five organizational divisions, involving over 3K personnel and $300M in equipment.
- Utilized Lean process management to secure a $11M investment in new communications equipment, increasing operational capability by 5%.
- Managed employee-related issues encompassing labor, turnover and diversity.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams for seamless execution of large-scale initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
- Increased team productivity, providing ongoing training, coaching, and performance feedback to staff members.
- Boosted team member productivity by enhancing performance monitoring and instituting motivational approaches.
- Spearheaded process improvements to reduce errors and increase overall quality in operations management.
- Ensured regulatory compliance across all aspects of operations by staying current on industry standards while implementing necessary policies or procedures accordingly.
Division Operation Manager
United States Marine Corps
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Served as senior advisor to the division executive officer, overseeing 340 personnel and resources exceeding $250M.
- Implemented lean process management, leading to the procurement of $11M in new communications equipment, increasing operational capability by 5%.
- Led inspection teams for operational readiness evaluations, certifying units for worldwide operations involving over 1,000 personnel and $216M of equipment.
- Established a culture of continuous learning within the division by promoting skill development initiatives and providing opportunities for professional growth.
- Managed resource allocation efficiently by identifying and prioritizing critical tasks, ensuring optimal utilization of available resources.
- Oversaw daily operations within the division, identifying potential bottlenecks and addressing them in a timely manner for optimal efficiency.
- Enhanced team performance by providing regular coaching and mentoring sessions, leading to increased employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Facilitated cross-functional team meetings to improve communication between departments while fostering increased collaboration on shared goals.
- Developed long-term strategic plans for the division, aligning them with broader organizational objectives to ensure cohesive progress toward shared goals.
- Championed innovative solutions by encouraging creative problem-solving approaches among team members, fostering an adaptive organizational culture capable of meeting evolving demands effectively.
Organizational Training Director
United States Marine Corps
04.2014 - 01.2016
- Provided leadership and mentorship to a team of 13 trainers, achieving an 86% promotion rate within the department.
- Revised instructional design and curriculum, reducing training duration by 7 days and boosting graduation rates by 20%.
- Played a pivotal role in expanding organizational capability by 100%, overseeing the addition of 160 employees and $40M in equipment.
Education
Master of Science - Aviation Management and Human Factors
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ05.2024
Bachelor of Science - Aviation Transportation
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ05.2023
Skills
- Supply Chain Management
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt
- KPI reporting
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
- Productivity improvement
- Inventory Audit & Management
- Distribution & Logistics Planning
- Strategic Business Planning
- Budget & P&L Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Leadership & Team Building
- Warehouse Management
- Operations Management
- Problem Resolution
Timeline
Senior Operations Manager (Amazon)
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS)
10.2024 - Current
Admin & Office Student Trainee - FAA Gateways Intern
Federal Aviation Administration
06.2024 - 08.2024
Senior Operations Manager
United States Marine Corps
01.2018 - 05.2020
Division Operation Manager
United States Marine Corps
01.2016 - 01.2018
Organizational Training Director
United States Marine Corps
04.2014 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Aviation Transportation
Arizona State University
Master of Science - Aviation Management and Human Factors
Arizona State University
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