The logistics industry is actively developing every year. It involves many specialists who ensure an uninterrupted supply chain. Among them are truckers, logisticians, and dispatch services, as listed on this site. And if many people understand what the first two specialists are doing, then questions often arise with dispatchers. What are their responsibilities? How to become a dispatcher? What is the salary of these specialists? We will answer all these questions in this article.
Who is a truck dispatcher?
Dispatchers are those specialists who plan and organize cargo delivery on behalf of transport companies or owner-operators. They also act as a link between the customer and the trucker. Dispatchers are very important for practical work, as they take on a large number of organizational responsibilities. All this takes a lot of time, especially if the owner-operator does it independently. Therefore, many resort to the services of dispatching services.
What are the duties of a truck dispatcher?
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Route planning and optimization
Thanks to the dispatcher’s work, the trucker has the most profitable and convenient route for cargo delivery. The dispatching service makes up the route relying on weather conditions, repairs, delivery times, traffic rules, and state laws that may prohibit the movement of large cars on some roads. Thanks to the work of these specialists, the trucker will not delay the cargo on the road and will not get to a dead point on the road, from which it is impossible to leave.
How do dispatchers optimize routes? They use knowledge about the fleet and drivers, the service area, and the technical condition of trucks. This is necessary in order to make sure that there is no downtime.
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Schedule planning robots
In order to deliver goods efficiently, it is necessary to create a work schedule for truckers effectively and combine this with truck maintenance schedules and shipment schedules. This is what the dispatchers of the grouse cars are doing.
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Communication with clients
Dispatchers must have good communication skills because they have to communicate with a large number of clients every day. Among them, there are potential clients in communication with whom it is necessary to show the ability to sell the services of a transport company. Also, the dispatcher’s office is constantly in touch with customers whose cargo is already in delivery. The dispatcher must solve problems, answer questions and discuss the details of cooperation
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Cargo search
This dispatcher’s duty is especially important for owner-operators who are constantly in search of customers. Specialists are looking for profitable loads on loading boards, in particular applications, through their own communication channels.
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Fleet control
This item is more suitable for transport companies. But if the owner-operator has several trucks in service, then the dispatcher can manage this as well. What is the point? For trucks, it is necessary to carry out constant maintenance and repair so as not to delay the company’s work. The dispatcher’s task is to plan inspections to keep the trucks in perfect condition.
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Creating reports and invoices
Any business needs to keep the documentation in order. The dispatch service can also help with this task. Specialists create and send invoices to clients and archive important documents. They also create reports on each completed route.
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Communication with truckers
Unforeseen situations often happen on the road. Moreover, the customer can change the destination or shipment. In order to solve problems and transmit information, the dispatching service must be in touch with the truck driver 24/7 and help remotely.
How much does a truck dispatcher earn?
The average salary of such specialists in the United States is $53,000. Novice dispatchers can expect a salary of $45,000. Experienced dispatchers receive $60,000 on average.
Payment depends on the conditions under which the dispatcher works. There is a payment for opening hours. Dispatchers are usually offered $12-23 per hour. There is also a percentage rate for each delivery. Here, the payment will be higher if the dispatcher makes business-friendly deals.
How to become a truck dispatcher?
If you are interested in this job, then you are on the right track! Dispatchers are a highly demanded profession with good earnings. What steps must you go through to get your first job as a truck dispatcher?
Step 1. Sort out the documents
You will need a certificate of secondary education. Yes, you don’t have to get a college degree to work as a dispatcher. This fact makes this job even more attractive.
Step 2. Take special training courses
There are now many courses for dispatchers, both paid and free. You don’t need any complicated courses that predestine the study of mathematics, for example. But it is still better to learn the basics of the profession in order to be a required specialist.
Step 3. Develop communication skills
This is the most crucial thing in the dispatcher’s profession. You will need to communicate with truckers, and customers, solve problems, offer services, and negotiate working conditions. Therefore, pay special attention to communication skills.
Step 4. Look for a job
Make yourself a decent resume, take recommendations from your past work, and go on a search.
