Automotive Service Dispatcher

Dale Howard Auto Center•Iowa Falls, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Dale Howard Auto is seeking an Automotive Shop Dispatcher to coordinate workflow, monitor productivity, and help technicians stay productive. The dispatcher distributes repair work among technicians based on skills, workload, availability, priorities, and shop needs; monitors job progress and productivity; manages priorities; and helps keep shop operations efficient. The role requires making decisions, communicating expectations, and keeping the team focused on completing work. Automotive repair knowledge and hands-on mechanical experience are not required; the company will teach its processes and systems. The dispatcher uses a dealer management system to track and document repairs, opens and closes used-vehicle inspection invoices, creates estimates of work needed, and keeps service advisors informed about repair progress. Additional duties include checking repair-order progress, monitoring reports and shop conditions, ensuring documents are processed, helping ensure employees receive manufacturer training, maintaining visibility into technician capacity and delays, and supporting safe, consistent shop operations. The position works Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., in an air-conditioned shop.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to read and comprehend instructions and information.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
Maintain certifications or licenses required by state law.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Confidence making decisions and directing workflow.
Strong communication skills and ability to hold people accountable professionally.
Results-oriented mindset and interest in productivity and operational efficiency.
Comfort using computers, spreadsheets, and shop management software.
Ability to work collaboratively with technicians, service advisors, and management.

Nice To Haves

Experience in dispatching, production coordination, manufacturing, logistics, operations, or team supervision.
Automotive repair knowledge or hands-on mechanical experience is not required.

Responsibilities

Assign and distribute repair orders fairly according to technician skills, workload, availability, priorities, and shop needs.
Monitor technician workloads, hours, job progress, and productivity throughout the day.
Manage shop workflow, identify bottlenecks or stalled work, and adjust assignments as needed.
Follow up on delayed jobs, communicate expectations, and raise workflow concerns with management when necessary.
Balance incoming repairs, carryover work, waiting customers, and scheduled commitments.
Coordinate with technicians, service advisors, and management about job status and changing priorities.
Help the team meet productivity goals and maintain efficient workflow.
Keep management informed about technician capacity, work in progress, delays, and potential scheduling issues.
Use the dealer management system to track and document repairs.
Open and close used-vehicle inspection invoices and create estimates of work needed for vehicles.
Keep service advisors informed about the progress of work being performed.
Ensure department employees receive appropriate manufacturer training.
Check repair-order progress throughout the day and ensure documents are accounted for and processed correctly.
Monitor technicians’ daily productivity reports and shop conditions, including cleanliness, safety, and equipment condition.
Report problems to the service manager or dealer.
Ensure proper care, storage, and inventory of special tools; stay informed about new equipment and tools and recommend purchases.
Lead technician huddles and attend service and parts meetings, daily advisor huddles, and managers’ meetings as requested.
Maintain a safe work environment and professional appearance.
Be at the workstation and ready to start at the assigned time.
Perform other tasks as assigned.