Dispatcher - TFSL
Van Buren, AR
Full Time
Mid Level
Job Title: Dispatcher
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Dispatcher to join our transportation team. The primary goal of this position is to optimize fleet productivity and profitability while ensuring high-quality service for our customers and safety compliance (DOT/FMCSA). You will act as the central point of contact for a dedicated group of drivers, building relationships to improve retention while managing their daily routes, load assignments, and schedules.
Key Responsibilities
1. Driver Management & Retention
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Dispatcher to join our transportation team. The primary goal of this position is to optimize fleet productivity and profitability while ensuring high-quality service for our customers and safety compliance (DOT/FMCSA). You will act as the central point of contact for a dedicated group of drivers, building relationships to improve retention while managing their daily routes, load assignments, and schedules.
Key Responsibilities
1. Driver Management & Retention
- Support & Communication: Serve as the primary contact for assigned drivers, offering guidance to maximize earnings, handling inquiries, and fostering a positive, professional, and respectful working environment.
- Performance Tracking: Monitor driver performance, HOS (Hours of Service) utilization, and safety compliance, initiating corrective action or coaching as necessary.
- Retention Efforts: Balance workloads to keep drivers satisfied and manage home-time requests to minimize turnover.
- Safety & Maintenance: Ensure regular driver meetings, enforce safety policies, and coordinate with the maintenance department to minimize equipment downtime.
- Load Matching: Match the right freight with the right driver, considering factors like location, driver hours, and profitability.
- Route Optimization: Plan efficient routes and load schedules to minimize empty miles (deadhead) and maximize fuel efficiency.
- Fuel Management: Monitor idle percentage and fuel economy within your group of Drivers. Coach and hold accountable those who are not meeting the goals.
- Dispatch Operations: Utilize Transportation Management Systems (e.g., McLeod, TMW) to dispatch loads, tracking shipments in real-time.
- Problem Resolution: Actively troubleshoot issues with pick-ups, deliveries, or breakdowns, creating contingency plans to keep freight moving.
- Communication: Maintain proactive communication with customers regarding shipment status, delays, and ETA adjustments.
- Relationship Management: Build strong, trusting relationships with customers to ensure high satisfaction.
- Issue Resolution: Investigate and resolve customer complaints, including handling detention delays at the 2-hour mark.
- Spot Freight: Identify, negotiate, and book spot-freight using major freight load boards to maximize profitability.
- Experience: Minimum 1+ years of experience in trucking dispatch, load planning, or fleet management.
- Technology: Proficiency with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) such as McLeod or TMW, ELD systems, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- Compliance Knowledge: Solid understanding of DOT regulations, FMCSA Hours-of-Service rules, and safe driving practices.
- Soft Skills: Exceptional communication (verbal/written), empathy for drivers, high-pressure, fast-paced decision-making abilities, and strong negotiation skills.
- Schedule: Monday-Friday with the flexibility to handle on-call, weekend, or evening rotation as needed.
- Environment: Office-based, involving long periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
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