Dispatcher

Description

The Dispatcher is responsible for coordinating daily deliveries, scheduling trucks and drivers, and ensuring building materials are delivered to customers safely, accurately, and on time. This position works closely with sales, yard operations, warehouse personnel, drivers, and customers to maximize delivery efficiency while maintaining excellent customer service.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

- Schedule and coordinate daily deliveries based on customer needs, order readiness, and available resources.
- Assign deliveries to drivers and trucks based on load size, material type, delivery location, and equipment requirements.
- Plan efficient delivery routes to minimize travel time, fuel consumption, and operating costs.
- Prioritize deliveries based on customer commitments, jobsite requirements, and operational needs.
- Adjust delivery schedules to accommodate urgent orders, delays, and changing conditions.
- Communicate daily assignments, routes, and delivery instructions to drivers.
- Monitor driver progress throughout the day and address delivery delays or complications.
- Coordinate truck and equipment availability with operations management.
- Ensure drivers complete required pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections.
- Report vehicle maintenance issues, equipment problems, and safety concerns to management.
- Work with yard and warehouse personnel to ensure orders are pulled, staged, and ready for loading.
- Verify that delivery orders are complete and properly documented before dispatch.
- Coordinate appropriate loading and delivery equipment, including forklifts, flatbeds, and boom trucks when applicable.
- Communicate special handling requirements for lumber, windows, doors, cabinetry, and other building materials.
- Help prevent incorrect deliveries, missing materials, and unnecessary return trips.
- Communicate delivery schedules and estimated arrival times to customers and sales personnel.
- Notify customers and sales representatives of delays, scheduling changes, or delivery issues.
- Coordinate job-site delivery requirements, including access restrictions, unloading locations, and special instructions.
- Assist in resolving delivery-related customer concerns promptly and professionally.
- Maintain clear communication between sales, operations, and delivery personnel.
- Track deliveries to ensure orders are completed and documented properly.
- Confirm proof of delivery and ensure delivery paperwork is returned and processed.
- Document shortages, damaged materials, refused deliveries, and customer returns.
- Coordinate redeliveries, material pickups, and transfers between locations when necessary.
- Maintain accurate delivery records and communicate unresolved issues to management.
- Promote safe loading, transportation, and unloading practices.
- Ensure delivery assignments consider vehicle capacity, load securement, and jobsite conditions.
- Support compliance with applicable DOT requirements and company safety policies.
- Identify opportunities to improve truck utilization, delivery efficiency, and driver productivity.
- Minimize unnecessary trips, overtime, fuel expenses, and delivery-related costs.
- Maintain an organized and accurate daily delivery schedule.
- Work closely with the Operations Manager to support daily yard and delivery activities.
- Assist with coordinating incoming freight, vendor deliveries, and material transfers as needed.
- Maintain a professional and customer-focused approach when addressing operational challenges.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

Performance Area Expectations

- On-Time Deliveries Meet scheduled customer delivery commitments
- Delivery Accuracy Minimize shortages, errors, and redeliveries
- Fleet Utilization Maximize productive use of trucks and drivers
- Communication Provide timely updates to customers, sales, and operations
- Cost Control Safety Documentation Reduce unnecessary mileage, overtime, and delivery expenses
- Maintain safe dispatching practices and support compliance
- Ensure delivery records are accurate and complete

Qualifications

- 3+ years of related experience and/or training or an equivalent combination of experience in transportation and logistics
- In-depth knowledge of industry-standard methods, costs and best practices for hauling freight
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent conflict resolution skills
- Ability to be highly adaptable
- High school diploma or GED