Dispatcher - Containers

Mackley Carriers; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Mackleys is seeking a Dispatcher for our Christchurch container operation. The role centers on coordinating drivers, customers, ports and depots, while managing timeframes and priorities across a busy container schedule.

You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment, quickly processing information, making smart decisions, and keeping plans moving as conditions change. Strong systems literacy and customer focus are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating drivers and customers in a fast-paced transport environment.
• Ability to quickly assess information, prioritise tasks and adjust plans.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule and dispatch container movements across the fleet.
• Coordinate imports/exports between ports, depots and customer sites.
• Monitor timeframes, priorities and upcoming work; adjust plans in real time.
• Keep drivers informed and supported; provide proactive updates to customers.
• Troubleshoot delays, changes, and scheduling conflicts; resolve issues quickly.
• Use dispatch and online systems to keep information accurate and up to date.
• Deliver safe, efficient, and reliable container operation in collaboration with the team.

Skills

Tech-savvy

Fast thinking

Excellent organisation

Calm under pressure

Customer focus

Collaborative

Safety focused

Tools

Dispatch systems

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

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
• 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.

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.