Dispatcher - Intermodal

Forward Air Corporation; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive Eligible

Job summary

Forward Air Corporation is seeking a Dispatcher - Intermodal to plan, schedule, and coordinate customer freight, ensuring operational efficiency and high service performance. The role requires independent judgment to manage relationships with Independent Contractors and customers, and to proactively improve fleet performance.

Base pay ranges from $60,000 to $65,000 annually with incentive eligibility. Schedule is Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm, onsite.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Strong analytical and operational decision-making skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in day-to-day operations.
• Advanced written and verbal communication abilities.
• Experience building and managing professional driver relationships.
• Proficiency in dispatch systems; AS400 experience a plus.
• Transportation industry or load-planning experience preferred.
• Willingness to work on-site and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, scheduling, and dispatching activities to maximize fleet efficiency.
• Serve as the primary operations decision-maker and point of contact for contractors.
• Monitor containers to prevent demurrage and storage fees.
• Provide instructions to personnel via email and phone.
• Accept and schedule loads while delivering excellent customer service.
• Make routing decisions balancing customer expectations and company finances.
• Develop strong relationships with drivers to support retention and performance.
• Analyze shipment data and adjust plans to maintain service levels.
• Resolve operational challenges by identifying root causes and actions.
• Communicate capacity constraints and service solutions to customers.
• Ensure driver hours and compliance for safe, legal operations.
• Collaborate with sales and service teams to design service solutions.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance fleet performance.
• Provide guidance and training to dispatch personnel.
• Prepare performance insights for leadership review.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Analytical skills

Independent judgment

Communication skills

Driver relationships

Dispatch systems

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

AS400

Dispatch software

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Job Description

The Dispatcher - Intermodal oversees the planning, scheduling, and strategic coordination of customer freight to ensure optimal operational efficiency and service performance. This role exercises independent judgment to manage relationships, resolve service issues, allocate resources, and proactively identify improvements that drive fleet performance. They serve as a trusted partner to Independent Contractors and customers, balancing operational capabilities with service expectations. The position requires advanced decision ‑ making , discretion, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast ‑ moving environment.

Base Pay: $60,000-$65,000 annually

Incentive Eligible

Schedule: Monday- Friday 8am-5pm, onsite

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, scheduling, and dispatching activities to maximize fleet efficiency and meet customer requirements
• Serve as the primary operational decision ‑ maker and point of contact for assigned Independent Contractors
• Monitor containers to prevent demurrage and storage fees
• Providing detailed instruction to various personnel via email and phone
• Accepting & scheduling loads and providing excellent customer service
• Make routing decisions that satisfy customer expectations and company financial decisions
• Develop strong, influential relationships with drivers to support retention and performance
• Analyze shipment data and proactively adjust plans to maintain service levels
• Resolve operational challenges by identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions
• Manage customer expectations by communicating capacity constraints and service solutions
• Monitor driver hours, performance, and compliance, making adjustments to ensure safe and legal operations
• Collaborate with sales and customer service to design service solutions and support customer needs
• Recommend process improvements to enhance fleet performance and operational reliability
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and training support to less experienced dispatch personnel
• Prepare performance insights and trends for leadership review
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university preferred; equivalent experience considered
• Strong analytical and operational decision ‑ making skills
• Proven ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in day ‑ to ‑ day operations
• Advanced written and verbal communication abilities
• Demonstrated success in building and managing professional driver relationships
• Proficiency in dispatch systems; AS400 experience a plus
• Transportation industry or load ‑ planning experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information
• Technical: Proficient with Microsoft O365 and common office technologies
• Environment: Ability to work on ‑ site and travel as needed for operational or customer meetings