Military Linehaul Dispatcher

Job Description

Job Description

Pay: $65,000.00 per year

Job description:

Military Inbound & Outbound Dispatcher

Position Summary

The Military Inbound & Outbound Dispatcher is responsible for coordinating and dispatching military household goods (HHG) shipments from initial documentation and customer communication through pickup, loading, transportation, delivery, unloading, and final documentation. This position works closely with drivers, customers, Dispatch, Logistics, Export, Import/Intermodal, warehouses, origin and destination agents, carriers, port agents, and management to ensure shipments are handled accurately, efficiently, securely, and within required delivery dates.

The Dispatcher is responsible for maintaining accurate shipment information, coordinating driver assignments, preparing transportation documentation, monitoring shipment status, providing customer updates, and ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable military transportation requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Shipment Documentation & Processing

• Reviews and interprets Government Bills of Lading (GBLs), liftvan documentation, Bills of Lading, rate confirmations, and other shipment-related paperwork.
• Reviews shipment information, including origin, destination, pieces, weight, release dates, required delivery dates (RDD), and special handling requirements.
• Maintains accurate shipment records throughout the transportation process.
• Processes and organizes loading and unloading paperwork according to established procedures.
• Prepares loading papers, BOLs, rate confirmations, split cards, unload sheets, and other required documentation.
• Creates LTL/carrier route unload sheets in Load Builder and provides appropriate unload numbers.
• Ensures required paperwork is available before drivers are dispatched or trucks are unloaded.

Customer Service & Communication

• Communicates professionally and effectively with customers by telephone and email.
• Reviews customer requests and provides clear, accurate, and timely responses.
• Provides customers with shipment status updates and promptly communicates delays, changes, or issues.
• Follows up on outstanding customer requests and ensures issues are addressed or escalated appropriately.
• Communicates with origin agents, destination agents, carriers, port agents, customers, and other transportation partners.
• Maintains respectful, honest, and professional communication with drivers, customers, coworkers, and business partners.

Freight & Port Operations

• Coordinates military inbound and outbound household goods shipments, including pier freight, containerized freight, and LCL warehouse freight.
• Monitors freight release dates, Last Free Days, pier cutoffs, warehouse cutoffs, and other time-sensitive requirements.
• Understands and applies applicable freight codes and company procedures.
• Coordinates with appropriate departments to ensure containers are properly ordered and handled following release.
• Coordinates pickup and delivery activities with port agents, warehouses, carriers, and other transportation providers.
• Ensures required Export paperwork, including the flimsy, is submitted according to established procedures before the driver's return for unloading.

Load Planning & Dispatch

• Builds and manages loads based on destination, release date, RDD, driver availability, equipment, capacity, routing, and customer requirements.
• Assigns loads to drivers according to established driver-list and dispatch procedures.
• Maintains the freight board in the appropriate slots and in release-date order.
• Maintains the Tri Star Driver Call-In List and monitors driver status.
• Coordinates roundtrip and one-way loads to maximize driver and equipment utilization.
• Prepares and manages split loads and split cards when shipments require multiple movements.
• Understands and properly applies LH and LH L/B designations on applicable cards.
• Provides drivers with appropriate linehaul information and quotes.
• Coordinates pickup and delivery of full loads from the pier and direct delivery to the destination agent when required.
• Instructs drivers to call in upon completion of loading and verifies that the reported piece count matches the shipment documentation.
• Identifies missing pieces, discrepancies, delays, or other issues and communicates them to the appropriate department.

Logistics & Carrier Coordination

• Coordinates load setup with the Logistics Department.
• Obtains and verifies required Logistics rate confirmations before unloading trucks.
• Communicates with carriers and other transportation providers regarding shipment requirements and routing.
• Determines when shipments cannot be routed due to RDD, OA, destination restrictions, or other operational limitations.
• Contacts customers regarding the option to obtain an LTL/carrier rate when Tri Star is unable to provide the required routing.
• Coordinates alternative transportation solutions when appropriate.

Rates, Billing & Financial Responsibilities

• Reviews applicable rates, rating cards, billing requirements, and linehaul charges.
• Provides accurate linehaul quotes to customers and drivers in accordance with company procedures.
• Understands the relationship between shipment requirements, routing, mileage, rates, and billing.
• Processes driver advances, including Comcheks, fuel cards, and check advances, according to company policy.
• Processes and documents applicable driver deductions.
• Invoices shipments through the Domestic Web App.
• Identifies billing discrepancies and coordinates corrections with the appropriate department.

Computer Systems & Reporting

• Uses PC*Miler to obtain mileage and routing information.
• Uses Load Builder to create and manage loads.
• Inputs shipment and load information accurately into company systems.
• Prints loading papers, BOLs, rate confirmations, unload sheets, and other required documentation from Load Builder.
• Uses the Domestic Web App to invoice shipments and run required reports.
• Prepares and reviews the 5 Day Report for management.
• Prepares and distributes the daily driver list to Dispatch, Logistics, and Management.
• Maintains accurate electronic and physical records in accordance with company procedures.

Departmental Coordination

• Maintains effective communication with Dispatch, Logistics, Export, Import/Intermodal, Accounting/Billing, warehouse personnel, management, drivers, and other departments.
• Understands how dispatch and documentation decisions affect other departments and the overall customer experience.
• Provides accurate and timely information to other departments to prevent delays, billing issues, missed delivery requirements, and operational disruptions.
• Escalates problems, discrepancies, and customer concerns to the appropriate supervisor or department when necessary.

Driver Relations

• Treats all drivers with professionalism, respect, and honesty.
• Provides drivers with clear instructions regarding pickups, deliveries, paperwork, piece counts, call-in requirements, and load assignments.
• Communicates changes to drivers as soon as practical.
• Addresses driver concerns professionally and escalates unresolved issues to management when appropriate.
• Maintains accurate records of driver assignments, status, paperwork, and required advances or deductions.

Compliance & Security

• Completes and maintains required C-TPAT training.
• Follows Tri Star policies and procedures regarding freight security, documentation, customer information, and transportation operations.
• Maintains confidentiality of customer, shipment, driver, and company information.
• Follows all applicable company, military transportation, port, warehouse, and carrier procedures.
• Reports security concerns, shipment discrepancies, damaged freight, missing pieces, or other irregularities promptly.

Qualifications & Skills

• Previous transportation, logistics, freight, dispatch, military household goods, or related experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with customers, drivers, carriers, agents, and internal departments.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple shipments and time-sensitive tasks simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced transportation environment.
• Ability to understand and apply company-specific freight, routing, billing, and dispatch procedures.
• Basic to intermediate computer skills and ability to learn transportation management systems and company software.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with the dispatch and management team.
• Ability to identify problems, determine appropriate solutions, and escalate issues when necessary.

Performance Expectations

The Military Inbound & Outbound Dispatcher is expected to:

• Maintain accurate and timely shipment information.
• Provide prompt and professional customer service.
• Keep drivers and internal departments informed of shipment status.
• Meet required release dates, RDDs, and operational deadlines.
• Minimize unnecessary delays, empty miles, and operational costs.
• Maintain accurate paperwork and system records.
• Follow all company procedures and security requirements.
• Maintain respectful and honest communication with drivers, customers, and coworkers.
• Protect the company's relationship with its military customers and transportation partners.
• Work cooperatively with all departments to ensure successful shipment movement from origin through final delivery.

Other Duties

Performs other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned by the supervisor or management.

Benefits Package Includes:

Aetna (both employee and employer contribution)

MetLife Supplemental Insurance Coverage:

Dental PPO Plan (Employee pays 100%)

Vision PPO Plan (Employee pays 100%)

Accident (Employee pays 100%)

Cancer (Employee pays 100%)

Critical Illness (Employee pays 100%)

Hospital Indemnity (Employee pays 100%)

Short Term Disability (Employee pays 100%)

Voluntary Term Life Insurance (Employee pays 100%)

Employer Paid Benefits:

100% Company Paid $25k Basic Term Life

100% Company Paid $25k AD&D

100% Company Paid LTD

100% Company Paid Profit Sharing (eligible after one year of service)

Employee Discounts

EAP – Employee Assistance Program

8 Paid holidays

Paid PTO on Birthday

10 days of PTO after one year of continuous service

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Transportation: 2 years (Preferred)
• Dispatching: 2 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Houston, TX 77028 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person