Location: Centurion (Palala), Gauteng, South Africa
Closing Date: 14 November 2024
Reference Number: UNI241104-5
Employment Type: Permanent – Normal
Business Unit: Rainbow Rustenburg, Consumer Division

Position Overview

Rainbow Rustenburg’s Consumer Division is seeking a skilled and proactive Despatch Supervisor to take full ownership of our despatch function. This role is pivotal in ensuring the seamless daily operations of our despatch department. As a Despatch Supervisor, you will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the department’s activities, guaranteeing that all tasks are executed efficiently and on schedule. This position offers a fantastic opportunity for individuals who thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy a mix of hands-on involvement and administrative responsibilities.

In this role, your organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills will be key to maintaining the smooth flow of operations. You’ll be at the heart of our logistics and transportation efforts, ensuring that our products reach their destinations efficiently and safely, while keeping a close eye on quality standards and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

As the Despatch Supervisor, your primary duties will include:

1. Driver Supervision and Coordination
   • Actively supervise and manage driver activities, ensuring they understand and adhere to their schedules and routes.
   • Conduct briefing and debriefing sessions for drivers, ensuring clarity on loading and offloading instructions and other key details.
   • Perform trip sheet analysis to monitor driver performance, maintain accurate logs, and track vehicle usage and fuel consumption.
   • Address any issues or challenges drivers may encounter on the road, providing support to ensure smooth delivery operations.
2. Load Scheduling and Dispatching
   • Oversee the scheduling and coordination of loads, ensuring efficient use of resources and timely dispatch of goods.
   • Monitor vehicle dispatching and adjust schedules as needed to optimize utilization and minimize downtime.
   • Track vehicle locations and monitor progress throughout the day to keep deliveries on schedule.
   • Prepare dispatch plans and allocate tasks to drivers according to operational requirements, ensuring that resources are used effectively.
3. Administrative Duties
   • Handle a range of administrative tasks, including accurate record-keeping and report generation.
   • Prepare and manage documentation such as delivery schedules, tacho records, and driver logs.
   • Process and verify trip sheets and other driver-related documents, maintaining compliance with company policies and regulatory standards.
   • Ensure that all necessary paperwork is properly completed and filed to facilitate smooth audits and compliance checks.
4. Communication and Collaboration
   • Maintain open lines of communication with drivers, operations staff, and management to ensure a coordinated approach to despatch operations.
   • Work closely with management to implement dispatch strategies, resolve issues, and improve efficiency within the department.
   • Communicate effectively at all levels of the business, including liaising with external partners as needed to facilitate dispatch activities.
   • Utilize strong verbal Afrikaans skills when needed to interact with team members and drivers for whom it’s their preferred language.
5. Safety, Compliance, and Quality Assurance
   • Ensure adherence to safety protocols and compliance regulations, prioritizing the safe and efficient transport of goods.
   • Proactively identify potential issues, implement solutions, and strive to improve processes within the despatch department.
   • Conduct quality checks on loading and offloading processes, ensuring goods are handled and transported in line with company standards.
   • Monitor and maintain the upkeep of despatch vehicles, ensuring regular checks and timely reporting of maintenance needs.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

To be successful in this role, you will need the following:

• Education: Matric (Grade 12) is required. A tertiary qualification or ongoing studies in Logistics, Transportation Management, or a related field would be advantageous.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in the transport industry, specifically in a supervisory capacity.
• Technical Skills:
  • Knowledge of transport logistics, including tacho and trip sheet analysis, dispatching, and scheduling.
  • Familiarity with tie-down equipment, load securing, and the basics of handling heavy vehicles.
  • Ability to effectively operate MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Licensing: A Code 14 driver’s license with a PrDP is preferred, though not essential.
• Attributes:
  • Excellent communication skills across all levels, with a particular emphasis on Afrikaans verbal skills for local team interactions.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a proactive, analytical mindset.
  • Must be able to work independently while also being a strong team player.
  • Customer service orientation, with a commitment to maintaining high standards and efficient processes.
  • Reliable and dependable with a strong sense of responsibility.

Additional Requirements

• Transportation: Candidates must have their own reliable transport to facilitate punctual and flexible attendance.
• Organisational Skills: This role requires a highly organised individual who can manage multiple responsibilities effectively and adapt to dynamic work conditions.

Why Join Rainbow Rustenburg?

At Rainbow Rustenburg, we believe that our success is driven by our people. This role offers a unique chance to contribute to a thriving business and play a key part in its daily operations. As a Despatch Supervisor, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills, work closely with a dedicated team, and have a real impact on our delivery process.

We offer a supportive environment that values hard work, innovation, and dedication. Our team is committed to maintaining high standards in service delivery and operational efficiency, and we’re looking for someone who shares our passion for excellence. In addition to a competitive salary, you’ll gain exposure to a wide range of logistics and management practices, setting you up for long-term career growth.

How to Apply

If you meet the above requirements and are excited to join a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your efforts make a difference, we’d love to hear from you. Please prepare an updated CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and any applicable references.

Apply before the closing date on 14 November 2024. Be sure to include the reference number UNI241104-5 in your application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Rainbow Rustenburg is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We strive to create an environment where all employees can thrive, regardless of background, and we value the unique perspectives that each team member brings. If you haven’t received a response within four weeks of the closing date, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

Ready to Take on the Challenge?

If you’re ready to bring your dispatch expertise to a role where you can make a meaningful impact, apply today! Join us in delivering excellence every step of the way at Rainbow Rustenburg.