Dispatcher

Distribution Services International, Inc.•Garden City, GA

39d

About The Position

Dispatcher I The Dispatcher I will play a vital role at DSI by supporting the coordination of daily transportation activities, ensuring timely and accurate movement of freight within a 100-mile radius of Savannah, Georgia. This position assists with driver communication, scheduling, and documentation to maintain operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The Dispatcher I works closely with Senior Dispatchers, Customer Service, and Warehouse Operations to ensure customer goals and deadlines are met. Dispatcher II The Dispatcher II will independently coordinate and monitor daily dispatch operations, ensuring efficient utilization of drivers, containers, and equipment. This position will manage real-time adjustments to daily plans and communicate directly with internal and external customers regarding shipment status and service expectations. The Dispatcher II ensures compliance with DOT, FMCSA, and company standards while maintaining high levels of productivity and communication. Senior Dispatcher III The Senior Dispatcher III is responsible for overseeing the daily coordination and utilization of 30+ drivers, containers, and chassis to ensure zero service failures and maximum productivity. This position manages dispatch operations, coaches junior dispatchers, and serves as the primary contact for high-priority accounts. The Senior Dispatcher ensures that all shipments meet customer requirements, compliance standards, and internal performance goals. Senior Dispatcher The Senior Dispatcher serves as the operational leader of the dispatch team, ensuring efficient utilization of drivers, equipment, and resources. This position works closely with management on driver compliance, payroll, and disciplinary issues and is responsible for ensuring all dispatch activities meet service, cost, and safety standards. The senior Dispatcher represents the dispatch department in management meetings and acts as a role model for professionalism and accountability.

Requirements

Compliance and Safety: Ensure adherence to DOT, FMCSA, and company safety standards. Participate in compliance monitoring and documentation.

Responsibilities

Load Scheduling: Assist in scheduling inbound and outbound loads, ensuring all details are accurately entered into the dispatch and tracking systems.
Driver Communication: Maintain regular communication with drivers regarding load assignments, pickup and delivery times, and route details.
Documentation: Ensure all dispatch documents, such as bills of lading and driver confirmations, are accurate and properly filed.
Tracking and Monitoring: Support real-time tracking of loads to confirm on-time performance and report any potential delays or service exceptions.
Problem Solving: Escalate issues such as missed appointments, driver delays, or mechanical failures to the Senior Dispatcher or Dispatch Manager.
Team Collaboration: Work closely with warehouse and customer service teams to align transportation activities with customer needs.
Compliance Awareness: Learn and adhere to DOT and company compliance standards.
Load Planning and Optimization: Assign and schedule drivers to loads in a way that maximizes driver utilization and reduces empty miles and fuel costs.
Driver Management: Monitor driver locations, hours of service, and compliance with safety regulations. Ensure drivers receive timely and accurate dispatch instructions.
Operational Communication: Maintain proactive communication with internal customers, warehouse staff, and customer service to meet cutoff times and customer goals.
Tracking and Performance: Track all shipments to ensure on-time pickups and deliveries; resolve service failures promptly.
Problem Resolution: Manage real-time challenges such as equipment failures, appointment changes, and port delays.
System Utilization: Accurately manage dispatch details in systems such as NAVIS, TMS, and Microsoft Office applications.
Reporting: Prepare daily operational reports, including driver activity, load status, and delivery performance.
Compliance and Safety: Maintain understanding of DOT and OSHA standards; report and document any compliance issues.
Fleet Oversight: Manage scheduling, dispatching, and daily performance of company drivers and owner-operators within a 100-mile radius of Savannah.
Operational Excellence: Provide productive dispatch plans that optimize driver time, reduce fuel costs, and minimize days on wheels.
Driver Issue Resolution: Provide timely solutions for driver issues, equipment breakdowns, or service interruptions.
Customer and Internal Coordination: Communicate daily with Customer Service, Warehouse Operations, and Management to align dispatch activities with customer goals and deadlines.
System Proficiency: Expertly manage dispatch software, NAVIS, and Microsoft Office programs to document, track, and analyze performance data.
Team Leadership: Train and mentor Dispatch I and II staff, promoting teamwork, professionalism, and high performance.
Reporting and Analysis: Generate operational and performance reports to identify opportunities for improvement and cost efficiency.
Operational Leadership: Oversee dispatch operations to ensure on-time, safe, and cost-effective delivery performance.
Capacity and Productivity: Coordinate and maximize utilization of 30+ drivers, containers, and chassis while eliminating unnecessary deadhead miles.
Customer Service: Serve as the main point of contact for internal customers regarding daily dispatch needs, goals, and cutoffs.
Driver Relations: Lead retention efforts through motivation, communication, and consistent application of company policies.
Technology and Systems: Manage dispatch software, NAVIS, and Microsoft tools; ensure the team uses systems effectively.
Team Development: Train, mentor, and evaluate dispatch staff performance, ensuring a “can-do” attitude and teamwork environment.
Reporting and KPI Management: Track key performance metrics such as on-time delivery, fuel efficiency, and driver productivity; communicate trends to management.