Harvest Transport Dispatcher

COMPANY OVERVIEW:
    Alco Harvesting is a leading provider of harvesting services, dedicated to delivering high-quality produce to our clients efficiently and reliably. We specialize in leafy green vegetable and berry harvesting and transportation, ensuring that our clients receive the freshest products possible. We operate in the central and south regions of California and in Yuma, Arizona.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

    We are seeking a skilled and experienced Harvesting Transportation Lead Dispatcher to join our team. Responsibilities include coordinating and managing the transportation logistics of harvested crops from the field to the cooling facilities and distributing of packing materials from the carton yard to the fields. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to effectively communicate with drivers, field crews and management.

REPORTS TO:
     Alco Harvesting Operations Manager

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Dispatch Operations:
   • Coordinate and schedule transportation activities, including assigning trucks and drivers to specific routes, ranches and destinations.
   • Monitor the progress of harvesting operations and adjust transportation plans as needed to ensure timely delivery of crops.
   • Maintain communication with the transportation supervisor, field supervisors and harvesting crews to gather real-time information on crop availability and readiness for transport.
2. Route Planning and Optimization:
   • Develop efficient transportation routes to minimize fuel costs, travel time and environmental impact.
   • Utilize route optimization software and tools to plan and adjust delivery schedules based on traffic conditions, weather forecasts and other relevant factors.
   • Implement strategies to ensure the safe and secure transport of crops.
3. Communication and Coordination:
   • Serve as the primary point of contact for drivers, providing clear instructions, route details, and any necessary updates or changes.
   • Collaborate with internal teams, including harvesting crews, logistics personnel, and management, in order to ensure seamless coordination of transportation activities.
   • Create and distribute daily driver start time and destination schedule
4. Documentation and Reporting:
   • Maintain accurate records of transportation activities, including driver logs, delivery schedules, and mileage reports.
   • Generate regular reports on key performance indicators (KPIs), such as on-time delivery rates, fuel efficiency and vehicle utilization, to evaluate the effectiveness of transportation operations.
   • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards governing the transportation of agricultural products, including food safety and transportation safety requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Previous experience in transportation dispatching or logistics management, preferably in the agricultural or food industry.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with the capacity to prioritize tasks and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Proficiency in using transportation management software and route optimization tools.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations and best practices for the transportation of agricultural products.
• Flexibility to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to support harvesting operations.
• Bilingual and fluent in both English and Spanish preferred

EDUCATION: 
High school diploma or equivalent required; additional coursework or certification in logistics, supply chain management, or a related field preferred

COMPETENCIES:

• Teamwork: Demonstrated teamwork. Ability to work well with others.
• Communication: Bilingual ability. Communicates well with others both verbally and written. Interacts well with all departments. Collaborates routinely.
• Dependability and Responsibility: Is dependable and accepts responsibility for his/her role to meet deadlines.
• Attendance, Policies & Procedures: Maintains good attendance and upholds all company policies and procedures with the highest integrity.
• Problem Solving & Motivation: Identifies and solves problems with prompt decisions and monitors results to meet objectives.
• Productivity & Time Management: Achieves productivity goals, manages time wisely and maintains low error rate.
• Organization & Leadership Skills: Plans and organizes projects in a timely manner. Establishes priorities with employees and/or appropriate parties. Communicates well with management.
• Strong computer skills required: Advanced excel (Ability to execute Pivot Tables and Link Spreadsheets)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Employee must have the ability to walk, talk, hear, see, speak, concentrate, reach in all directions, stoop, bend, lift up to 60 lbs.
• Use a computer, telephone and other equipment needed for the position
• Possess the ability to reason and communicate clearly with or without reasonable accommodation.

 
BENEFITS:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401K
• Profit Sharing

EEO STATEMENT:
The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.