John McKinnie
Fleet,England
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive experience in managing large-scale optimization and pop closure projects. Demonstrates strong skills in capacity planning, network configuration, and circuit analysis, leading to improved operational efficiency. Proficient in DWDM technologies, including Ciena and Infinera systems, with a solid understanding of change control and migration planning. Committed to advancing expertise in network optimization and driving innovative telecommunications solutions.
I am available for work immediately, i left Vodafone on 24th October 2025.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Network Specialist
Vodafone Business
Farnborough, Hampshire
04.2024 - 10.2025
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot complex network issues.
- Enhanced system performance through targeted problem-solving initiatives.
- Developed comprehensive documentation for network configurations and procedures.
- Created excel report to live track status of 2000+ Internet ports.
Senior Global Optimisation Manager
Vodafone Group
Newbury, West Berkshire
10.2017 - 04.2024
- Executed optimisation initiatives across VF group global markets.
- Delivered global optimisation programmes as subject matter expert.
- Supported complex network, customer, and platform delivery projects, successful migration of 3000+ live services in some.
- Addressed technical, commercial, and budgetary matters for effective solutions.
- Collaborated with Transport Engineering and Operations on rationalisation and site closure projects.
- Ensured platform solutions met compatibility requirements with existing network infrastructure.
- Led team of 25 in optimisation efforts, fostering collaboration and expertise.
International Capacity Planner
Vodafone Group
Bracknell, Bracknell Forest
10.2009 - 10.2017
- Cultivated relationships with third parties to plan and deliver legacy voice networks.
- Collaborated with TX designers on modelling, naming conventions, and network diagrams for 25 SDH and DWDM rollouts.
- Facilitated VCS and customer deliveries through International Advice Notes, ensuring adequate network capacity.
- Maintained accurate inventories at equipment and circuit levels to ensure continuity and best practices.
UK Site Closure Engineer
Vodafone UK
Glasgow, Glasgow City
11.2006 - 10.2009
- Executed planning and circuit writing for site closure projects.
- Developed comprehensive migration plan for 1500 customer services.
- Collaborated with closure NOC and field engineers to ensure timely fibre preparation and testing.
- Coordinated hot-cuts and secured full approval for all CRQs before migration.
Health Physics Monitor
EDF Energy
West Kilbride, Scotland
04.2006 - 10.2006
- Monitored all areas of power station affected by Nuclear Reactor shutdown.
- Tracked atmosphere, tools, and clothing pre and post-shift on reactor.
- Had equipment calibrated to ensure 100% accuracy.
Commissioning Engineer
Nortel Networks
Hyderabad, India
11.2002 - 04.2003
- Commissioned Nortel SDH devices, performed tests and brought 5 rings into operation to support Reliance Infocom mobile phone network.
Network Specialist
Worldcom
Amsterdam
08.2000 - 08.2002
- Responding to alarms and reports from INOCC of services being down.
- Performing analysis and diagnosing nature of network faults.
- Monitored over 25 sites for traffic stability.
Circuit Provisioning Engineer
Mercury Communications / Cable & Wireless
London
04.1991 - 08.2000
- Producing circuit orders to support Customer delivery orders.
- Raising network circuit orders to support changes, migrations and upgrades within network.
- 14,000 circuit orders established.
Radio Telegraphist (Signalman)
Royal Corp of Signals, British Army
Harrogate, Yorkshire
06.1984 - 08.1989
- Apprentice Radio Telegraphist in Harrogate, Yorkshire, learning and becoming specialist in morse code, typing, telegraph principles, HF / VHF Radio principles.
- Radio Telegraphist - armoured signal squadron in Osnabruck, Germany, performed secure communications to 20 staff officers to allow them to manage operations.
Education
Radio Telegraphist - Telecoms operators certificate, city and guilds
Army Apprentices College
Harrogate, North Yorkshire 06.1984 - 08.1986
Skills
- Confident, and clear communicator
- Reliable and trustworthy, safe pair of hands
- Ability to see bigger picture and think laterally to find solutions
- Capacity planning
- Network configuration
- Circuit and traffic analysis
- Good knowledge of Transport Networks
- Change control process
- Migration planning
- Workflow prioritisation
- DWDM – Ciena 4200 / 6500 Photonic, Wave Server
- DWDM – Infinera XTC-10, XT-3600
- OTN
- Ciena Core Director / CN5410 CN5430
- Ciena MCP / One Control
HOBBIES
I enjoy walking, cycling, and watching Scottish Football.
Affiliations
- I enjoy walking and watching football
Timeline
Network Specialist
Vodafone Business
04.2024 - 10.2025
Senior Global Optimisation Manager
Vodafone Group
10.2017 - 04.2024
International Capacity Planner
Vodafone Group
10.2009 - 10.2017
UK Site Closure Engineer
Vodafone UK
11.2006 - 10.2009
Health Physics Monitor
EDF Energy
04.2006 - 10.2006
Commissioning Engineer
Nortel Networks
11.2002 - 04.2003
Network Specialist
Worldcom
08.2000 - 08.2002
Circuit Provisioning Engineer
Mercury Communications / Cable & Wireless
04.1991 - 08.2000
Radio Telegraphist - Telecoms operators certificate, city and guilds
Army Apprentices College
06.1984 - 08.1986
Radio Telegraphist (Signalman)
Royal Corp of Signals, British Army
06.1984 - 08.1989