Description
Plan, direct, and coordinate fleet dispatch operations to ensure efficient routing, on-time service, and compliance with company policies and transportation regulations.
- • Oversee daily dispatching of drivers and vehicles for pickups, deliveries, and service calls.
- • Build, adjust, and publish driver schedules, route plans, and load assignments.
- • Monitor GPS and telematics to track loads, update ETAs, and resolve exceptions.
- • Coordinate with warehouses and docks to align loading times and appointments.
- • Communicate trip details, instructions, and safety requirements to drivers.
- • Ensure compliance with FMCSA/DOT rules, including hours-of-service and ELD usage.
- • Manage dispatch staff; recruit, train, coach, and schedule dispatchers.
- • Maintain accurate data in TMS/dispatch software, including orders, statuses, and documents.
- • Analyze routing, capacity, and mode options to reduce cost and improve utilization.
- • Respond to disruptions, weather, accidents, or breakdowns and activate contingency plans.
- • Collaborate with customer service and sales to meet service commitments and resolve issues.
- • Set and monitor KPIs such as on-time pickup/delivery, dwell time, miles, and cost per load.
- • Audit trip paperwork, bills of lading, and delivery confirmations for billing accuracy.
- • Coordinate equipment availability and maintenance scheduling with fleet and shops.
- • Plan and enforce dispatch center safety, security, and communication protocols.
- • Review and approve accessorial charges, detention, layover, and driver pay tied to dispatch.
- • Optimize backhauls, lane balance, and load consolidation.
- • Prepare shift plans and handoffs and manage after-hours or on-call coverage.
- • Develop and maintain standard and emergency dispatch procedures.
- • Ensure proper use of radios, mobile apps, and communication systems; troubleshoot issues.
- • Evaluate and onboard third-party carriers for overflow capacity and compliance.
- • Maintain records, logs, and reports required by company policy and regulations.
- • Participate in budget planning and control for overtime, technology, and communications.
- • Review performance data to forecast volume, allocate resources, and issue work assignments.
- • Negotiate appointment times with shippers and consignees and secure time windows.
- • Implement fuel- and time-saving routing practices and idling reduction strategies.
- • Conduct incident reviews and corrective actions for service failures or safety events.
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
