The trucking industry has a large number of employees and positions. And truck dispatchers stand out among them. Without these specialists, it would not have been possible to deliver any cargo on time, as it seems to us. Because these specialists do a lot of small, but very important work that ensures the profit of the transport company. This is an excellent career if you like trucking and communicating with people.
But in this article, we will go a bit further. We will discuss the responsibilities, competencies, and reasons why you should provide truck dispatching services according to this company.
Read this article and choose a new career path.
What are the duties of the dispatcher?
In fact, the dispatcher has many responsibilities, each of which is very important. Let’s analyze each of them:
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Cargo search
Truck dispatchers are constantly busy looking for potential customers. They are looking for new loads with the help of loading boards, unique applications, and their own connections in the industry. Dispatchers will conduct conversations with customers, agreeing on the conditions and details of work.
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Planning and optimizing a route for a trucker
Another critical duty of the dispatcher of the cargo trucks is to create the most efficient and profitable route along which the cargo will move. After all, a trucker should not get under adverse weather services, on roads with repair work, or on highways where it is impossible for truckers to move.
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Creating documents
Of course, documents are very important for business. Therefore, dispatchers keep records of all trips, fuel consumption, repairs, and delivery details.
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Fleet management
Some dispatchers of truck drivers are also engaged in the creation and control of work schedules of truckers, accounting of working hours, repair of trucks, and their own maintenance.
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Problem-solving
There are situations when some kind of problem has occurred on the road – with a trucker, cargo, truck, or route. The dispatcher should do everything possible to solve this problem as soon as possible.
Advantages of working as a truck dispatcher
As you understand, the dispatcher really has a lot of work. However, these specialists have many opportunities and advantages, which undoubtedly attract new workers to the industry.
You just need to have motivation and patience, and you will be successful in this specialization. So, why do you need this job?
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Good salary
More precisely, one of the best professions on the market, where higher education is not required. You can receive up to $60,000 a year! Of course, at the beginning of the career path, the salary will be less. But over time and with the acquired experience, you will become a specialist who is willing to pay well.
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Remote work
You don’t have to sit in the office, you can easily find jobs as a truck dispatcher online. This is an excellent opportunity for people with families to be closer to home and perform personal tasks in parallel.
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Wholesale in the field of cargo transportation
If you like this industry, then the dispatcher’s work will bring you as close to it as possible. You will learn more about transport companies, cargo search, types of groupers, and truckers’ work. If you are interested in this, then consider that you have found the perfect job.
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Career growth
Over time, your success, experience, and diligence will be noticed, and you will begin to move up the career ladder. If you are interested in professional development in this industry, we advise you to think about obtaining a bachelor’s degree in logistics. This will significantly accelerate your professional growth and expand your work opportunities.
How can I improve my job as a truck dispatcher?
1. Take a ride with a trucker
This will help you better to understand the specifics of the work of truckers. And this is very important because it is the dispatcher who organizes routes and work schedules for them. Your work will become more exciting and more convenient for other specialists if you get experience in cargo transportation.
2. Build relationships with employees
Don’t pretend that you are working alone. Other specialists can greatly simplify your work if you establish contact with them. Or vice versa, your work can become hell if you do not interact with the team.
3. Learn how to work with different software
The work of a truck dispatcher largely depends on the software. With it, you will search for cargo, plan routes, draw documents, manage a fleet, and communicate with truckers. Therefore, learn how to work with these programs as early and as quickly as possible.
4. Don’t make the life of truckers unbearable
Some dispatchers set unrealistic delivery times for drivers. Firstly, it severely damages the reputation of the transport company if it does not work to deliver the goods at the right time. Secondly, it will spoil your relationship with truckers. Believe me, there is nothing to create hostility in the workplace. Set realistic tasks.
5. Plan your work in advance
This will save you a lot of time. The dispatcher has a lot of tasks, so prepare yourself templates and a list of functions and configure all applications to spend the minimum amount of time.
