Cargo Dispatcher (PPD)

The Cargo Dispatcher (C.D.) oversees the day-to-day movement of drivers and cargo to ensure shipments are delivered safely, on time, and in line with regulations. This role acts as the main coordination point for drivers, route planning, shipment tracking, vehicle readiness, and problem-solving. The C.D. keeps schedules and records accurate, stays in constant communication with drivers, airport operations, clients, and internal teams, and responds quickly to delays or unexpected issues to keep operations running smoothly—especially for life-sciences cargo. When necessary due to driver shortages or emergencies, the C.D. is expected to step in, cover routes, and safely operate 16–26 ft trucks.

Job Responsabilities:

• Lead, coordinate, and support a team of drivers to ensure smooth, safe, and efficient daily operations.

• Serve as the central point of contact for all dispatch activities, maintaining continuous communication with OCASA drivers, airport personnel, clients, and internal teams.

• Dispatch, schedule, and monitor drivers for pickups, deliveries, airport operations, and special assignments, ensuring adherence to service requirements and airline cut-off times.

• Track driver movements and shipment progress in real time; monitor routes, pickup and drop-off windows, delays, and route changes.

• Maintain comprehensive daily logs of driver activity, shipment status, incidents, exceptions, and operational issues.

• Develop, implement, and execute contingency plans for delays, breakdowns, weather events, driver absences, or other operational disruptions.

• Maintain accurate shipment records, including quantities, delivery times, destinations, and exceptions.

• Enter, update, and verify shipment, driver, and vehicle data in Excel, SAP, and other tracking or reporting systems.

• Monitor operational processes, materials, and environmental conditions to detect risks, deviations, or service failures.

• Analyze operational data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities; escalate issues as required.

• Perform daily administrative duties, including maintaining files, reports, logs, and compliance documentation.

• Coordinate closely with warehouse, drivers, coordinators, and airport teams to ensure seamless handoffs and uninterrupted operations.

• Oversee all airport operations, including cargo retrievals, airline drop-offs, documentation preparation, and real-time shipment tracking.

• Ensure all activities comply with TSA, airport, transportation, safety, cold-chain, and regulatory requirements.

• Inspect cargo upon receipt to verify physical condition, accuracy, and compliance with shipment requirements.

• Immediately report issues related to loading, unloading, shipment integrity, delays, or regulatory concerns to supervisors.

• Manage life-sciences and temperature-controlled shipments, including cold-chain handling, re-icing, packaging, labeling, and documentation in accordance with SOPs.

• Support preparation and packaging of biological, temperature-sensitive, and general cargo as required.

• Monitor vehicle availability, readiness, and condition; maintain vehicle logs and promptly report maintenance or safety concerns.

• Ensure all vehicles are clean, safe, and fully operational, including GPS, mobile devices, and security systems.

• Provide operational driving support when required, including loading, transporting, and delivering cargo safely and on time.

• Assist with loading and unloading shipments, including handling items exceeding 50 lbs., using proper safety procedures.

• Operate cargo vehicles ranging from 16 to 26 feet in compliance with all safety, regulatory, and company standards.

• Transport cargo to airports or other assigned destinations as operational coverage requires.

• Maintain a high level of customer service by proactively communicating schedules, changes, and shipment status updates to all relevant stakeholders

Qualifications & Skills Required:

• Ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and schedules.

• Must be proactive and actively provide “Follow ups”.

Work Setting

• Dispatchers will be working in control rooms equipped with monitoring tools.

• They will have access to computers, phones, and other tools to communicate with drivers, suppliers, and the rest of the company team members.

• Occasional travel may be necessary to visit client sites, or be part of a force majeure contingency.

• The role may require occasional work outside of standard business hours to accommodate client needs or urgent issues.