Manager- Ground Operations (GUH)

At Blue Dart, we go beyond delivering shipments—we deliver trust, precision, and excellence. As India’s most reliable express logistics provider, we empower commerce by reaching over 56,000+ locations across India and connecting to 220+ countries through our global DHL network. Backed by the strength of DHL Group, we bring together international standards with deep local expertise. Our dedicated Boeing freighter fleet, 12,000+ vehicles, and best-in-class service ensure time-definite delivery that businesses and customers count on every day.

We are proud to be consistently ranked among India’s Top 100 Great Places to Work® and recognized as part of the DHL Group’s Top Employer certification across multiple regions. Being an Employer of Choice is not just a goal—it’s a fundamental part of who we are. We are committed to creating a workplace where people feel valued, empowered, and proud to belong.

If you're looking to join a purpose-led, people-first organization that shapes India’s supply chain with integrity and care—Blue Dart is where you belong.

The SFC Hub Manager is accountable for end-to-end operational performance of an individual Surface Hub, ensuring timely, accurate and cost-efficient movement of shipments across inbound, processing, sorting, staging and outbound linehaul operations.

The role owns day-to-day Surface Hub execution including shipment processing, throughput, turnaround time, manpower deployment, dock and yard operations, vehicle loading and unloading, cut-off adherence, shipment quality, safety and infrastructure readiness.

Leads hub operational teams across shifts and ensures seamless connectivity between upstream pickup / CPU operations and downstream Surface, Air and Last Mile networks.

The role works closely with the Regional SFC Hub Manager and Regional SFC Network & Fleet Manager to ensure timely vehicle placement, dispatch readiness, load consolidation, route connectivity and operational recovery during delays or capacity disruptions.

To manage a safe, reliable and high-performing Surface Hub by ensuring timely shipment processing, accurate sorting, efficient linehaul connectivity, optimum manpower and infrastructure utilization, and adherence to network cut-offs, while continuously improving throughput, productivity, service quality and cost efficiency.

Surface Hub Operational Leadership

• Own day-to-day operational performance of the SFC Hub across all shifts.
• Translate regional network plans, shipment volumes and linehaul schedules into daily hub operating plans.
• Ensure smooth execution of inbound receipt, unloading, sorting, processing, staging, loading and outbound dispatch.
• Maintain operational readiness for scheduled and ad-hoc linehaul movements.
• Ensure seamless handover between the SFC Hub, CPU, PUD, Air and Last Mile operations.
• Proactively escalate capacity, manpower, vehicle or infrastructure risks to the Regional SFC Hub Manager.

Inbound & Outbound Operations

• Ensure timely unloading, processing and clearance of inbound vehicles.
• Manage accurate sorting and staging of shipments for destination-wise dispatch.
• Ensure outbound loads are processed, built and released within network cut-offs.
• Monitor dock utilization, loading sequence and dispatch readiness.
• Prevent avoidable detention, congestion and shipment accumulation.
• Ensure smooth handover to linehaul vehicles and downstream hubs.
• Drive adherence to loading, sealing, documentation and dispatch-control requirements.

Throughput & Turnaround Time Management

• Own hub throughput and processing TAT across all shifts.
• Monitor hourly shipment flow and proactively address bottlenecks.
• Ensure effective load balancing across shifts, docks, processing areas and teams.
• Reduce backlog and ensure timely processing of ageing or exception shipments.
• Improve vehicle turnaround time and dock productivity.
• Drive consistent throughput during peak and seasonal periods.

Linehaul & Network Connectivity

• Ensure adherence to scheduled linehaul departures and network cut-offs.
• Coordinate with the Regional SFC Network & Fleet Manager on vehicle placement, capacity and route requirements.
• Monitor inbound vehicle arrival and outbound dispatch performance.
• Minimize missed connections and avoidable linehaul delays.
• Support contingency planning during vehicle shortages, road disruptions, network delays or sudden volume spikes.
• Ensure optimal synchronization between the hub and upstream/downstream network locations.

People Leadership & Workforce Management

• Lead supervisors, executives, operational staff and outsourced workforce across the SFC Hub.
• Plan shift-wise manpower based on shipment volume and operational workload.
• Ensure efficient manpower deployment across unloading, sorting, processing, loading and support activities.
• Drive attendance, productivity, discipline and accountability across shifts.
• Build team capability through coaching, training and on-the-job development.
• Maintain adequate contingency manpower for peak periods and operational disruptions.
• Promote a high-performance, safety-focused and improvement-oriented culture.

Shipment Quality & Operational Accuracy

• Ensure accurate sorting, scanning, routing and handling of shipments.
• Monitor missorts, misroutes, damages, losses and processing exceptions.
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action for recurring quality defects.
• Ensure physical-to-system reconciliation and scan compliance.
• Reduce rework, handling errors and avoidable shipment movement.
• Maintain shipment security and chain-of-custody discipline.

Capacity & Infrastructure Management

• Monitor hub capacity against current and projected shipment volumes.
• Ensure docks, processing areas, material-handling equipment and workstations are operationally ready.
• Coordinate with Engineering / Facilities teams for equipment breakdowns and preventive maintenance.
• Support layout improvements and workflow redesign to improve movement efficiency.
• Identify emerging capacity constraints and recommend infrastructure enhancement.
• Ensure adequate peak-period storage, staging and processing readiness.

Productivity & Cost Management

• Drive shipments-per-man-hour productivity across hub operations.
• Improve dock, manpower and infrastructure utilization.
• Optimize shift deployment, overtime, consumables and support resources.
• Reduce vehicle detention, idle time, excess handling and rework.
• Monitor cost per shipment and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Track operational cost and productivity trends and implement corrective actions.
• Deliver cost improvement without compromising service or safety.

Safety, Security & Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to Blue Dart operational SOPs, EHS standards and security requirements.
• Maintain safe loading, unloading and material-handling practices.
• Ensure compliance with vehicle, dock and facility safety requirements.
• Conduct regular floor, dock and process audits.
• Drive timely closure of audit observations and corrective actions.
• Maintain housekeeping, workplace safety and equipment-operating discipline.
• Coordinate with Security on shipment loss, damage or operational-risk incidents.

Continuous Improvement & Technology

• Identify recurring bottlenecks and operational failure points.
• Drive root-cause analysis and structured continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Support implementation of scanning, automation and digital operating tools.
• Use operational data to improve throughput, TAT, productivity and service quality.
• Pilot and implement improved operating practices.
• Measure benefits from productivity, process and technology improvements.
• Share successful practices with the Regional SFC Hub Manager for wider replication.

Stakeholder & Governance

• Work closely with the Regional SFC Hub Manager and Regional SFC Network & Fleet Manager.
• Coordinate with CPU, PUD, Air Operations, Last Mile, Engineering, Security, IT, Finance and HR.
• Participate in regional Surface Hub performance reviews.
• Provide accurate daily / weekly operational reporting and risk visibility.
• Escalate network-impacting issues in a timely manner.
• Act as the location SME for Surface Hub operations.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration or related discipline preferred; MBA / PG desirable.
• Experience: 8–11 years of relevant experience in express logistics, Surface Transportation, hub / sort-centre operations, middle-mile logistics, 3PL, eCommerce logistics or high-throughput distribution operations.
• Strong hands-on experience managing inbound, sorting, processing, outbound and linehaul-connected hub operations.
• Proven experience managing medium-to-large operational teams across multiple shifts.
• Strong understanding of network cut-offs, hub throughput, vehicle turnaround and shipment connectivity.
• Experience in manpower planning, productivity improvement and cost optimization.
• Experience handling peak-volume operations and operational contingency planning.
• Exposure to dock operations, material handling, scanning systems and operational technology preferred.
• Strong understanding of safety, process compliance and shipment-quality controls.
• Preferred Industries: Express Logistics, Courier, 3PL, eCommerce Logistics, Surface Transportation, Distribution and Supply Chain Operations.