Dispatcher - Containers

Mackleys; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Mackleys in Christchurch, New Zealand, is seeking a sharp Dispatcher for our container division. You will coordinate drivers, customers, ports, and depots, keeping plans moving as priorities shift in a busy operation.

The role requires quick information processing, strong communication, and comfort with multiple systems. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment, learn our dispatch platforms rapidly, and help deliver safe, efficient container movements with excellent service.

Qualifications

• Experience in dispatching or transport coordination preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and tight timelines.
• Comfort with transport software and systems.
• Legal right to work in New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule and dispatch container movements across our fleet.
• Coordinate imports and exports between ports, depots and customer sites.
• Keep track of multiple container movements, bookings, timeframes and priorities.
• Monitor the operation and adjust plans in real time.
• Provide customers with proactive updates.
• Troubleshoot delays, booking changes and scheduling conflicts.
• Use dispatch and online systems to keep information accurate.

Skills

Tech savvy

Fast thinker

Organised

Multi-tasking

Calm under pressure

Strong communicator

Customer focused

Driver coordination

Team player

Safety focused

Job description

We’re looking for a sharp, switched-on and tech-savvy Dispatcher for our container division in our Christchurch operation.

This is a role for someone who thrives in a busy operational environment. Someone who can take in a lot of information, quickly work out what matters, make good decisions and keep things moving when the plan inevitably changes.

You’ll be at the centre of our container operation – coordinating drivers, customers, ports, depots, bookings and delivery requirements, while keeping a close eye on timeframes, priorities and what’s coming next.

Working closely with our transport team, drivers, customers and wider team you will:

• Plan, schedule and dispatch container movements across our fleet
• Coordinate imports and exports between ports, depots and customer sites
• Keep track of multiple container movements, bookings, timeframes and priorities at once
• Monitor the operation throughout the day and adjust plans in real time
• Make smart decisions about driver and vehicle utilisation
• Keep drivers informed, supported and clear on what they need to do
• Provide customers with accurate, proactive updates
• Troubleshoot delays, booking changes, access issues and scheduling conflicts
• Use our dispatch and online systems to keep information accurate and up to date
• Keep an eye on critical timeframes to help avoid unnecessary delays, storage and detention costs
• Work alongside the wider team to deliver a safe, efficient and reliable container operation.

You’ll be someone who enjoys being in the middle of a busy operation, with plenty going on and lots of moving parts to keep track of. You can take in information quickly, work out what matters, think a few steps ahead and change direction when the day doesn’t quite go to plan.

Technology will come naturally to you. You’ll be comfortable working across different systems and screens, picking up new technology quickly and using good information to make good decisions.

You’ll also be someone who keeps their cool. Transport can change by the minute, so you’ll need to be able to juggle competing priorities, solve problems on the fly and keep communicating – without letting the pressure get the better of you.

Just as importantly, you’ll enjoy working with people. You’ll build great relationships with our drivers, work closely with the wider Mackleys team and genuinely care about giving our customers great service. You’ll be clear, practical and approachable – the kind of Dispatcher that people trust to get things sorted.

We're looking for someone who is:

• Highly tech savvy and quick to learn new systems
• Fast thinking and practical when solving problems
• Exceptionally organised
• Able to juggle multiple priorities without losing track of the details
• Calm and level-headed when the pressure comes on
• A strong communicator
• Customer focused and service driven
• Confident working with drivers and operational teams
• Collaborative and willing to help others
• Safety focused
• Proactive – someone who spots an issue coming and acts before it becomes a bigger problem.

Why Mackleys?

At Mackleys, transport is a team sport. Our customers rely on us to deliver, our drivers rely on good information and good planning, and our Dispatchers play a huge part in bringing it all together.

If you love a fast-paced environment, enjoy technology, get satisfaction from solving the operational puzzle and can keep your cool while everything around you is moving, this could be a great role for you.

Sound like you? We'd love to hear from you.

To be considered for this role, you must already have the legal right to work in New Zealand. We do not have an AEWV job token available for this position and are therefore unable to support a new work visa application.