Logistics Manager: Hands-On Dispatch & Team Lead

AssessAdvantage; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Symons Group in New Zealand is seeking a hands-on Logistics Manager to lead day-to-day transport operations, drivers, rosters, and customer requirements while maintaining safety and compliance. You will think ahead, solve problems, and drive outcomes with your team.

You’ll work across Operations, Fleet, HSEQ, and the wider business, coaching your people, monitoring performance, and building strong relationships with customers to ensure commitments are delivered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading people in an operational transport/logistics environment.
• Ownership and follow-through to deliver outcomes.
• Ability to make decisions and exercise good judgment under pressure.
• Strong planning and organisational skills with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Hands-on approach with understanding of busy transport operations.
• Strong people skills and ability to build trust and accountability within a team.
• Confidence to have direct conversations when standards aren’t met.
• Ability to work with people who may challenge decisions and to challenge others when required.
• Excellent communication with drivers, customers, and the wider business.
• Genuine interest in developing leadership capability and the team around you.
• Exceptional computer skills and confidence with technology; experience with transportation management systems.
• Strong commitment to safety, compliance, customer service, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day logistics and dispatch operation.
• Take ownership of driver allocation, rostering, and operational planning.
• Balance customer requirements with drivers’ wellbeing, safety, and capacity.
• Be a key contact for drivers and customers; resolve issues with practical solutions.
• Collaborate with Operations, Fleet, HSEQ, and the wider business to keep the operation running.
• Monitor performance and take action when standards or outcomes aren’t met.
• Manage compliance, including driver hours, fatigue management, and transport regulations.
• Coach and develop the team; build capability, accountability, and confidence.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems and processes.
• Follow problems through to resolution and not pass them on.
• Build strong relationships with customers to ensure commitments are delivered.

Skills

People leadership

Operational planning

Decision making

Safety & compliance

Communication

Stakeholder management

Team development

Problem solving

Technology proficiency

Customer service

Tools

Transportation management systems

Job description

Symons Group in New Zealand is seeking a hands-on Logistics Manager to lead day-to-day transport operations, drivers, rosters, and customer requirements while maintaining safety and compliance. You will think ahead, solve problems, and drive outcomes with your team.

You’ll work across Operations, Fleet, HSEQ, and the wider business, coaching your people, monitoring performance, and building strong relationships with customers to ensure commitments are delivered.