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.
Compensation: $62,000 annually, can be discussed based on experience
Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am-4:30pm
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
Since 1990, Forward Air has been a leading provider of ground transportation and related logistics services to the North American air freight and expedited LTL market. We offer surface shipping on an accelerated “time-definite” basis, delivering cargo at a specific time, but under less time-sensitive situations – supplying you with a cost effective, reliable alternative to air transportation. We work with companies of all sizes to develop tangible advantages and build the best products to meet your specific needs. Forward Air presents to the wholesale transportation community (logistics companies, freight forwarders, integrated air cargo carriers, passenger/ cargo airlines, and non-traditional shippers), a single-source provider that can deliver more supply chain services and a superior menu of choices. Throughout the years we have added supplementary lines to our linehaul service, such as full truckload operations (Truckload Services), final-mile coverage (Complete® Cartage), and an Airline Logistics program, and we will continue to expand our services to meet the changing needs and growth of our customer base.
Forward Air is structured to optimize both savings and service to our customers. Direct partnerships with owner-operators and other surface transportation providers, enable us to remain cost-competitive. The Forward Air network is designed with over 90 facilities located at or near major U.S. and Canadian airports, 12 regional sort centers and over 300 beyond points (secondary airports provided through our Complete Cartage service), creating one of the most comprehensive linehaul networks in the industry.
The foundation product for Forward Air is our expedited linehaul service, offering consistent and reliable transit and on-time, damage-free deliveries. By locating terminals on or near airports and maintaining a scheduled transportation network, we are able to arrange for convenient and consistent service with broad geographic coverage. Shipments of varying sizes (TL/LTL) are received at our terminals and transported by contracted service providers either (1) on a direct truck to the destination terminal, (2) through our Columbus, Ohio central sorting hub, or (3) through one of our 12 regional hubs, where they are unloaded, sorted, and reloaded in rapid fashion. After reloading the shipments, our contracted service providers deliver them to the destination city for early morning recovery. Through our Forward Air Complete® cartage service, customers also can have shipments picked up from the shipper, delivered to the final consignee, or transferred at the airport, simplifying the freight management processes. These options allow us to maximize handling efficiency of each shipment while minimizing freight loss and damage, improving transit times over traditional ground transportation.