Engineering Despatch Manager

South West Recruitment; Verwood; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

We’re looking for a driven and highly organised Despatch Manager to lead despatch operations within a fast-paced precision engineering environment. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you will take full ownership of the department—ensuring customer orders are delivered accurately, on time, and in line with strict aerospace standards.

You’ll manage a small team, coordinate multiple priorities, and act as a key link between production, operations, and external suppliers.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience managing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Confident working under pressure while maintaining performance.
• Strong communication skills across teams and levels.
• Proactive problem-solver who takes ownership of outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the Despatch Department.
• Prioritise workload to ensure all customer delivery deadlines are met.
• Supervise, support, and develop the despatch team to maximise performance.
• Set clear expectations and maintain accountability within the team.
• Identify training needs and support ongoing skill development.
• Oversee the accurate preparation and dispatch of all customer orders.
• Ensure all orders are correctly invoiced and aligned with customer requirements.
• Coordinate and monitor subcontract treatment processes.
• Maintain accurate despatch logs, treatment records, and monthly reporting.
• Oversee stock allocation and organisation within the department.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping and FOD prevention.
• Communicate proactively with internal departments to avoid delays.
• Respond quickly and effectively to changing production and customer priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Under pressure

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Despatch Manager
Industry: Precision Engineering (Aerospace)
Full-time | Permanent
Salary: £40,000 per annum

About the Role

We’re looking for a driven and highly organised Despatch Manager to lead our despatch operations within a fast-paced precision engineering environment.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you will take full ownership of the department—ensuring customer orders are delivered accurately, on time, and in line with strict aerospace standards.

You’ll manage a small team, coordinate multiple priorities, and act as a key link between production, operations, and external suppliers. This role suits someone who thrives under pressure, takes pride in running a tight operation, and leads from the front.

Alongside managing daily operations, you will play a key role in developing your team, building capability, improving performance, and creating a strong, accountable working culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the Despatch Department
• Prioritise workload to ensure all customer delivery deadlines are met
• Supervise, support, and develop the despatch team to maximise performance
• Set clear expectations and maintain accountability within the team
• Identify training needs and support ongoing skill development
• Oversee the accurate preparation and dispatch of all customer orders
• Ensure all orders are correctly invoiced and aligned with customer requirements
• Coordinate and monitor subcontract treatment processes
• Maintain accurate despatch logs, treatment records, and monthly reporting
• Oversee stock allocation and organisation within the department
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping and FOD prevention
• Communicate proactively with internal departments to avoid delays
• Respond quickly and effectively to changing production and customer priorities

What We’re Looking For

Essential Skills & Attributes

• Leadership experience managing teams in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Confident working under pressure while maintaining performance
• Strong communication skills across teams and levels
• Proactive problem-solver who takes ownership of outcomes
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and Outlook

Ideal Experience (Not Essential)

• Background in engineering, manufacturing, or logistics/dispatch
• Experience coordinating subcontract processes or production flow

We’re open to candidates with transferable leadership experience and the right mindset.

What Good Looks Like in This Role

• You run the department smoothly with minimal oversight
• You proactively develop team members and improve performance
• You keep the team organised, focused, and aligned with priorities
• You maintain accuracy even under pressure
• You proactively identify and resolve issues before they escalated
• You build strong communication across departments to keep work moving
• You and your team consistently meet or exceed delivery targets

Who This Role Is For

• Leaders who enjoy developing people as well as delivering results
• Individuals who thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
• Managers who take pride in organisation, accuracy, and accountability
• Strong communicators who can coordinate across multiple teams

Why Join Us?

• Join a high-quality aerospace precision engineering business
• Take full ownership of a critical operational department
• Work with a supportive, team-focused environment
• Opportunity to make a real impact on delivery performance and efficiency
• Stable role within a growing and well-established company