Truck dispatchers arrange for parcels and shipments to be picked up and plan freight deliveries. In addition, they are responsible for planning drivers’ routes, transmitting shipment details to customers, and scheduling truck drivers. Truck dispatchers must also review the logs of truck drivers.
Job Description of a Truck Dispatcher
To dispatch the drivers to customer locations, various industries and organizations search for a detail-oriented truck dispatcher. These candidates are usually responsible for scheduling drivers to collect or deliver packages, shipments, and freight. They are also responsible for revising and planning routes and connecting with clients to record their needs in this role.
The candidates applying for a Truck Dispatcher position should have the ability to work under pressure and substantial expertise in dispatching trucks to succeed as Truck Dispatchers. Besides, an ideal candidate for a Truck Dispatcher job role is someone that has organizing talents and this translates into excellent freight delivery.
Responsibilities of a Truck Dispatcher
- Truck dispatchers are in charge of arranging drivers to deliver freight or pick up shipments and packages.
- Customers are informed about freight specifics, delivery or pickup schedules, and special handling requirements.
- Their responsibilities also include designing pre-determined itineraries and making necessary route adjustments.
- They should be creating freight bills and invoices, as well as drafting dispatch documentation.
- Maintaining records of dispatched calls, delivery and pickup times, route revisions, and driver routes are just a few of the responsibilities of a Truck Dispatcher.
- These applicants also check transportation laws and regulations to ensure that truck drivers follow them.
- They must be going over the drivers’ logs, looking for dispatched calls and arrival times, among other things.
- It is also their responsibility to keep track of truck maintenance and repair schedules.
- The Truck Dispatcher must log customers’ shipping complaints and schedules.
Requirements for a Truck Dispatcher
- To work as a truck dispatcher, you must have a GED or a high school diploma.
- The candidate must also have an associate or bachelor’s degree in transportation or logistics.
- It will be excellent for this job role if you have 2-3 years of experience as a truck dispatcher in a similar business.
- Candidates must also book drivers, arrange routes, and dispatch drivers to customer locations with remarkable ability.
- They must also have substantial customer service experience and the ability to generate freight bills and invoices.
- This position also requires candidates to have familiarity with Transportation Management Software (TMS) such as Samsara and Rose Rocket.
- It’s a benefit if you know how to use office software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook Express to acquire a job.
- They must also be able to keep track of drivers’ records, maintenance schedules, and repairs.
- A Truck Dispatcher must be familiar with all applicable transportation regulations and laws.
- A candidate needs excellent organizational, communication, and time management abilities to work as a Truck Dispatcher.
Interview Questions for a Truck Dispatcher
Ans. The response from job applicants exhibits their route planning skills and experience.
2 A new customer phones to request a delivery. What are the questions that need to get asked?
Ans. This reply examines the individual’s experience and ability to gather relevant data.
3 What are your procedures for informing drivers of unique freight handling requests?
Ans. This response from the candidates assesses their background and analyses whether they have made reasonable recommendations.
4 Which Transportation Management Software has proven to be the most effective for you? Why?
Ans. The response from applicants displays whether or not they are familiar with industry-standard software.
5 Tell me about a moment when you had to deal with a particularly tough client. So, what went wrong?
Ans. This response emphasizes the job applicant’s work history and interpersonal and problem-solving abilities.
Future Scope as a Truck Dispatcher
Truck dispatchers usually get hired for freight businesses and companies. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track job growth rates for truck dispatchers, it does provide numbers for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (which are expected to expand by 6% from 2016 to 2026) and delivery truck drivers.
The predicted job growth rates for these occupations, propelled by the enhanced need for on-time delivering packages and increased demands, resulting in much more freight being delivered, will almost certainly lead to an increase in the demand for truck dispatchers.
Conclusion
Truck dispatchers coordinate freight delivery and pickup. They monitor that customers provide proper cargo information, schedule truck drivers, and keep track of their logs. In addition, they must create freight bills and invoices.
While interviewing truck dispatchers, the interviewers usually prefer job applicants who have previous expertise in a similar position and the capabilities to demonstrate that dispatched trucks arrive on time. Besides, the applicant’s who don’t know using or handling Transportation Management Software or lack communication skills usually get avoided for the Truck Dispatcher position.
