Courier Dispatcher

Reports To: Courier Dispatcher

Job Type: Contract (hourly), with opportunity of full-time employment

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and organized Dispatch Intern to support our courier dispatch and operations team in Ottawa. This is an internship position with opportunity to transition into full-time employment based on performance. The role supports the dispatch team in coordinating and assisting drivers including independent contractors and employee drivers with freight pick-ups, deliveries, and warehouse operations to ensure efficient logistics and timely fulfillment of customer orders. Responsibilities include monitoring service levels, tracking delivery timeframes, following up with drivers, and helping ensure smooth daily operations. You will also assist with communication, documentation, and basic dispatch tasks as needed, assigning routes and tasks to drivers, providing guidance on road conditions and directions, maintaining accurate records of all relevant information, managing freight movements, communicating effectively with drivers and clients.

This role provides valuable exposure to logistics coordination and courier operations, with opportunities to learn, grow, and potentially transition into future roles.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with other dispatchers and the operation teams to ensure timely service, coordinating prompt receipt and delivery to and from customers.
• Managing inbound and outbound communications in a timely and professional manner (i.e. communicating with drivers, brokers, carriers, and customers).
• Prepare regular work and run schedules.
• Update and/or dispatch orders through dispatch board
• Receive and check in drivers and freight, update system with notes as required
• Monitoring POD's and drivers to ensure delivery time is met and quality control for our services
• Respond to customers' enquiries via email and telephone as required regarding services or shipment status.
• Ensure drivers' paperwork is accurate and up to date.
• Assist with onboarding and training of employees, agency, and independent contractors team members.
• Ensure independent contractors are adhering to terms of contract for service agreement including but not limited to; overall performance, uniform adherence, and facilitate onboarding, orientation, and training as required.
• Handle escalated customer concerns/questions/inquiries as required.
• Collaborate with the operations manager to initiate, create, and implement processes and procedures to improve overall operational efficiencies, costs, and service.
• Work harmoniously with other departments as required to facilitate sharing resources and back up support for one another, as needed.
• Ensure all requirements of the health and safety program are adhered to by providing general and job specific health and safety training and leading by example.
• Participate in other corporate functions as required by the needs of the business and other related activities.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience working as a dispatcher/logistics coordinator is a strong asset.
• Strong understanding of the Ottawa region, including surrounding areas.
• Having experience as a prior courier driver is a strong asset
• Effective at managing customer complaints by troubleshooting service and quality related issues; providing real-time solutions to satisfy the customer's needs.
• Effective at managing drivers efficiently and keeping track of orders by ready times, service level and expected delivery times
• Great positive attitude and eager to learn and grow.
• Team player: work collaboratively with drivers, operations & warehouse teams and the management.
• Excellent oral & written communication, organizational & administration skills.
• Proficient in using digital mapping tools, dispatch software, and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Ability to work effectively without close supervision, collaboratively, independently & under tight timelines.

Physical Requirements:

• Work in a fast-paced environment where they are responsible for coordinating the work of a team consisting of employees, independent contractors, and agency drivers and/or couriers.
• Hours of work may exceed a typical work week and may be required to work overtime during busy periods.

Why you'll love Swift Delivery Systems

We're a strong local Canadian company with over 40 years of helping companies grow and succeed in the Greater Ottawa region. We provide regional on-demand and dedicated transportation solutions, including, general freight services, managed transportation, courier, and warehousing. With a network of over 100 drivers, and a centrally located warehouse, we are one of Ottawa region's leading and most trusted supply chain and last mile service provider. Driven to exceed customer expectations, and supported by technology and innovation, we bring simplicity and customer service to complex logistics challenges.

We work with intelligent and focused leaders who are driven to create an outstanding customer experience in partnership with Canadian leading shippers and 3PL partners. Swift Delivery Systems is deep rooted in family values with an entrepreneurial culture where ideas are welcomed, growth is fostered, and high performance is championed. A recognized thought leader and founded in 1980, Swift Delivery Systems works tirelessly to support our customers by delivering flexible and efficient fleet solutions.

Job Type: Fixed term contract

Application question(s):

• We are currently reviewing applications. In the meantime, we kindly ask that you review the job type, work schedule, responsibilities to ensure you understand the requirements of the role. Could you please send a message to confirm that you understand the role and that you're still interested in the position.

Experience:

• dispatch coordination: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person