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Dispatcher - Intermodal

Forward Air

Dallas, TXFull-time$62K/yrPosted 1mo agoSeen in employer's feed 3 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$62K/yr
Location
Dallas, TX
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Job overview

Forward Air is hiring a Dispatcher - Intermodal. The Intermodal Dispatcher plans, schedules, and coordinates customer freight to ensure optimal operational efficiency and service performance. This role involves exercising independent judgment to manage relationships, resolve service issues, allocate resources, and identify improvements to drive fleet performance. The dispatcher serves as a trusted partner to Independent Contractors and customers, balancing operational capabilities with service expectations.

Key focus areas include Lead planning, scheduling, and dispatching activities to maximize fleet efficiency and meet customer requirements, Serve as the primary operational decision-maker and point of contact for assigned Independent Contractors, and Monitor containers to prevent demurrage and storage fees.

Important skills include Planning, Scheduling, Strategic Coordination, Independent Judgment, Resource Allocation, and Proactive Identification Of Improvements. Preferred (not required): AS400.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

PlanningSchedulingStrategic CoordinationIndependent JudgmentResource AllocationProactive Identification of ImprovementsAdvanced Decision-MakingDiscretionManaging Competing PrioritiesFleet Efficiency MaximizationMonitoring ContainersProviding Detailed InstructionCustomer ServiceRouting DecisionsBuilding Professional Driver RelationshipsAnalyzing Shipment DataProactively Adjusting PlansResolving Operational ChallengesIdentifying Root CausesImplementing Corrective ActionsManaging Customer ExpectationsCommunicating Capacity ConstraintsMonitoring Driver HoursMonitoring Driver PerformanceMonitoring Driver ComplianceCollaborating With SalesDesigning Service SolutionsRecommending Process ImprovementsProviding GuidanceCoachingTraining SupportPreparing Performance InsightsPreparing Trends for Leadership ReviewAnalytical SkillsOperational Decision-Making SkillsAdvanced Written CommunicationAdvanced Verbal CommunicationDispatch SystemsMicrosoft O365Common Office TechnologiesAS400

Qualifications

Ability to Work on-SiteAbility to Travel as NeededUndergraduate Degree From an Accredited College or University or Equivalent ExperienceTransportation Industry ExperienceLoad-Planning Experience

Full job description

The Dispatcher - Intermodal oversees the planning, scheduling, and strategic coordination of customer freight to ensure optimal operational efficiency and service performance. This role exercises independent judgment to manage relationships, resolve service issues, allocate resources, and proactively identify improvements that drive fleet performance. They serve as a trusted partner to Independent Contractors and customers, balancing operational capabilities with service expectations. The position requires advanced decision ‑ making , discretion, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast ‑ moving environment.

Compensation: $62,000 annually, can be discussed based on experience

Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am-4:30pm

Responsibilities:

  • Lead planning, scheduling, and dispatching activities to maximize fleet efficiency and meet customer requirements

  • Serve as the primary operational decision ‑ maker and point of contact for assigned Independent Contractors

  • Monitor containers to prevent demurrage and storage fees

  • Providing detailed instruction to various personnel via email and phone

  • Accepting & scheduling loads and providing excellent customer service

  • Make routing decisions that satisfy customer expectations and company financial decisions

  • Develop strong, influential relationships with drivers to support retention and performance

  • Analyze shipment data and proactively adjust plans to maintain service levels

  • Resolve operational challenges by identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions

  • Manage customer expectations by communicating capacity constraints and service solutions

  • Monitor driver hours, performance, and compliance, making adjustments to ensure safe and legal operations

  • Collaborate with sales and customer service to design service solutions and support customer needs

  • Recommend process improvements to enhance fleet performance and operational reliability

  • Provide guidance, mentoring, and training support to less experienced dispatch personnel

  • Prepare performance insights and trends for leadership review

  • All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications:

  • Education: Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university preferred; equivalent experience considered

  • Strong analytical and operational decision ‑ making skills

  • Proven ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in day ‑ to ‑ day operations

  • Advanced written and verbal communication abilities

  • Demonstrated success in building and managing professional driver relationships

  • Proficiency in dispatch systems; AS400 experience a plus

  • Transportation industry or load ‑ planning experience strongly preferred

  • Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information

  • Technical: Proficient with Microsoft O365 and common office technologies

  • Environment: Ability to work on ‑ site and travel as needed for operational or customer meetings

About Us

About the Team

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