Reporting to the Area Manager for a designated operating region, the Logistics Driver Dispatch Manager is responsible for overseeing a fleet of company drivers and/or independent contractors while ensuring the successful execution of daily transportation operations. This role serves as the primary liaison between drivers, operations, safety, and planning teams, balancing dispatch responsibilities with driver leadership, coaching, and performance management.
The Logistics Driver Manager is accountable for fleet performance across key areas including service execution, safety, regulatory compliance, productivity, quality, and driver retention.Success in this position requires a Data-Driven candidate with strong communication skills, sound decision-making, and the ability to build positive working relationships while maintaining operational efficiency and meeting customer commitments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and manage assigned drivers by establishing performance expectations, conducting regular reviews, and implementing corrective action plans when necessary.
- Partner with Operations, Human Resources, and Safety teams to address performance concerns, policy violations, and disciplinary matters.
- Maintain accountability for driver safety performance and regulatory compliance, ensuring all drivers meet company and FMCSA requirements.
- Collaborate with Safety Coordinators to monitor compliance related to Hours of Service, driver qualifications, licensing, endorsements, and random drug testing requirements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for driver-related concerns, providing timely issue resolution and ongoing support.
- Promote driver engagement and retention through effective communication, relationship building, coaching, and recognition.
- Train and mentor drivers on company procedures, operational expectations, technology platforms, and industry best practices.
- Manage driver schedules, planned absences, vacation requests, holiday pay compliance, and workforce availability.
- Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, including approval of accessorial and additional compensation when appropriate.
- Monitor driver utilization and productivity metrics, partnering with load planning teams to maximize operational efficiency.
- Ensure drivers are properly dispatched, informed, and equipped to successfully execute assigned work.
- Support load planning efforts through load recovery, re-planning activities, and service issue resolution.
- Monitor daily pickups and deliveries, proactively identifying potential service failures and communicating risks to the appropriate teams.
- Enforce compliance with company policies, procedures, safety standards, and organizational values.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance work environment focused on teamwork and operational excellence.
- Remain engaged with daily operations until driver issues are resolved or appropriately transitioned to the next point of contact.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
- Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in transportation, dispatch, logistics, fleet operations, or workforce management.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop employees in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Strong Analytical Skillset
- Transportation, trucking, fleet management, or logistics industry experience strongly preferred.
- Strong understanding of driver management, dispatch operations, and transportation-related performance metrics.
- Working knowledge of FMCSA regulations, Hours of Service requirements, driver qualification standards, and transportation compliance practices preferred.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities with the capacity to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive information.
- Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, and the ability to learn transportation management and dispatch software platforms.
Preferred Characteristics
- Strong sense of urgency and accountability.
- Ability to build trust and credibility with drivers and operational stakeholders.
- Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to service excellence.
- Effective conflict-resolution and relationship-management skills.
- Proven ability to balance people leadership with operational execution.