At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and coordinate vehicle loads for timely deliveries while optimising transport operations.
- Company: Join a dynamic team in a fast-paced logistics environment in Hinckley.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, and shopping discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in customer service and continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in despatch or logistics, strong organisational and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About the Role
We’re excited to be looking for a Despatch Coordinator to join our team in Hinckley. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in ensuring our customers receive the high-quality service they expect, while helping us optimise our transport operations. In this role, you’ll be responsible for planning and coordinating vehicle loads to ensure orders are delivered on time, while maximising vehicle utilisation and minimising transport costs. You’ll act as a central point of communication between customers, hauliers, and internal teams, proactively managing any issues and helping to keep everything running smoothly. This is a fast-paced and collaborative role where you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact, contribute to continuous improvement, and be part of a supportive and driven team.
Key Responsibilities
- Planning and Transport
- Plan and optimise loads by destination, ensuring efficient vehicle utilisation and cost control
- Arrange external transport, build load configurations, and manage routes and delivery trackers
- Prioritise urgent or at-risk deliveries to meet customer commitments
- Customer & Stakeholder Communication
- Liaise with customers to arrange delivery bookings and provide updates on schedules
- Proactively communicate any risks or delays, ensuring excellent service
- Work closely with Customer Services, Planning, and Despatch teams to keep operations running smoothly
- Coordination & Problem Resolution
- Attend daily review meetings and collaborate with FLT loaders to manage risks
- Handle customer returns, system updates, and support issue resolution efficiently
- Continuous Improvement & Cost Control
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce overs, and optimise backloads
- Approve haulier invoices, complete vendor assessments, and maintain accurate cost data
- Health & Safety
- Promote a safe working environment by following procedures and challenging unsafe behaviours
- Ensure visiting drivers understand and comply with site safety standards
- Report incidents and risks promptly
About You
You’ll be a proactive and organised individual who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys solving problems collaboratively. With a strong customer focus, you’ll take pride in delivering a reliable, efficient service and go the extra mile to meet customer needs. You’ll bring experience ideally from a busy despatch or logistics environment, with the ability to manage priorities, work confidently with systems and data, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
Minimum Requirements
- Essential
- Experience in a fast‑paced despatch, logistics, or transport planning role
- Strong organisational and communication skills
- Customer‑focused mindset with the ability to manage queries confidently
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office – Excel (intermediate)
- Ability to work accurately with strong attention to detail
- Desirable
- Experience within a manufacturing environment
- Exposure to integrated business systems (e.g. CBS)
- Continuous learning and development mindset
Benefits
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Income protection
- Employee assistance program
- Cycle to work scheme
- Shopping discounts
- Subsidised staff canteen
- On site parking
Location
Hinckley
Working Pattern
On Site – Monday to Thursday 08:45 – 17:00 / Friday – 08:45 – 15:45
Equal Opportunity Statement
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bringing different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
Despatch Coordinator in Hinckley employer: DS Smith Europe
Join our dynamic team in Hinckley as a Despatch Coordinator, where you'll play a vital role in delivering exceptional service to our customers while optimising transport operations. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture that encourages continuous improvement and personal growth, offering benefits such as 25 days of holiday, a pension scheme, and a cycle-to-work scheme. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, we are committed to creating an environment where every employee can thrive and contribute to our mission of redefining packaging for a changing world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Despatch Coordinator in Hinckley
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like DS Smith Europe.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by DS Smith Europe. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Despatch Coordinator in Hinckley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at DS Smith Europe, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at DS Smith Europe and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into DS Smith Europe. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith Europe
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at DS Smith Europe.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to DS Smith Europe.
