Dispatcher at Red White & Blue Thrift in Des Plaines, IL

Pay Range: $18.00 to $20.00 per hour.

Employment eligibility is verified through E-Verify

Job Summary

We are seeking a reliable and organized Dispatcher to join our team. The ideal candidate will have experience in dispatching drivers, managing schedules, and optimizing scheduled stops along designated routes. As a Dispatcher, you play a pivotal role in connecting our valued customers, donors, and corporate partners with our dedicated staff. Your days are dynamic, balancing incoming calls, scheduling pickup requests, and providing vital support to our drivers in the field. In this role, you are not only a dispatcher but also the customer service liaison who creates a positive first impression and assists with inquiries.

Key Responsibilities

Professionally and courteously handle incoming calls from customers, donors, and corporate partners, providing them with information, assistance, and a positive experience

Act as a bridge between customers and donation pickup drivers, facilitating communication, scheduling, and addressing customer inquiries, concerns, or requests related to pickups

In partnership with the Head Driver, efficiently schedule and coordinate pickup requests, ensuring prompt and accurate communication with both customers and drivers to meet service expectations

Support drivers by providing them with essential information and updates throughout their assignments

Address customer issues or concerns promptly and effectively, seeking solutions and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction

Handle multiple tasks simultaneously, managing call traffic, dispatch requests, and customer inquiries while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail

Serve as the central point of communication for the thrift store, ensuring that messages and information flow effectively between customers, drivers, and other store personnel

Make quick decisions and problem-solving judgments to resolve issues as they arise

Effectively utilize dispatching software and communication equipment proficiently to streamline operations and maintain accurate records

Provide administrative support to the store leadership team as needed

Provide support by conducting product research for our team of pricers as needed

Deliver timely feedback and observations to the leadership team regarding Drivers' performance, including adherence to lunch break policies

Qualifications

Previous experience in dispatching, logistics, or related field preferred

Strong organizational and time management skills

Excellent communication and customer service skills

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

High school diploma or GED preferred

Physical Requirements

Computer Work: The primary responsibilities of this role involve working on a computer and performing tasks that require prolonged periods of sitting, typing, and using a computer monitor.

Visual and Auditory: The role may require the use of visual and auditory senses to interact with computer screens, documents, and to communicate during meetings, both in person, remotely, and over the phone. Good hearing to detect warning signals and communicate effectively with coworkers and supervisors Possesses clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more

Communication: Effective verbal and written communication is essential.

Manual Dexterity: Frequent use of hands and fingers for tasks such as typing, writing, and handling office equipment are necessary. Skilled in tasks involving seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands

Safety: Adherence to safety guidelines and protocols is required.

Mental capacity for determining time, place, and sequence of operations or action to be taken on the basis of analysis of data. May include prioritizing multiple responsibilities and/or accomplishing them simultaneously.

Work Environment

Atmosphere: The work environment is dynamic and characterized by a consistently busy atmosphere. The ability to thrive in a fast-paced and busy environment is essential for this role.

Noise Level: The work environment is noisy. Due to the nature of our operations, the ability to work effectively in a noisy environment is a requirement for this role.

Lighting: The work environment is characterized by bright lighting throughout the front and back of store, which is integral to our operational requirements. Due to the nature of our operations, the ability to work effectively in a bright environment is a requirement for this role.

Interactions with Others: The role involves regular interactions with customers, donors, and coworkers, fostering a collaborative and customer-focused environment. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are a requirement for this role.

Flexibility: The nature of this role requires a high degree of flexibility. Employees may be asked to switch tasks based on operational needs. Employees are expected to work in all areas as assigned, contributing to a well-rounded and collaborative team environment.

Language Requirements

Employees are not required to communicate exclusively in English within the workplace. However, the nature of the position may entail interactions with customers, donors, colleagues, and supervisors who primarily use English. In such instances, a fundamental understanding of written and spoken English for comprehending instructions, as well as the ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English, may be necessary.

Other Requirements

Dependability: Effective performers demonstrate regular and punctual attendance. They behave consistently and predictably; are reliable and dependable in fulfilling their professional obligations.

Integrity: Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly. They apply ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities. They take responsibility for their actions.

Customer Focus: Effective performers possess a strong customer focus. They demonstrate empathy, active listening, and responsiveness to ensure customer satisfaction, even if they cannot meet the customer's request.

Humility: Effective performers recognize one's own limitations, being open to learning from others, and treating everyone with respect and dignity.

Adaptability: Effective performers are adaptable. They embrace needed change and modify their behavior when appropriate to achieve organizational objectives. They are effective in the face of uncertainty.

Attention To Detail: Effective performers observe details, promptly catch and rectify small mistakes, delivering high-quality, accurate work.

Inclusion: Effective performers create and participate in an inclusive environment. They value and respect diversity, and foster a sense of belonging for all individuals.

Team Player: Effective performers are team oriented. They identify with the larger team and their role within it. They prioritize the collective success of the team over personal achievements.

Informal Communication: Effective performers clearly and articulately convey information to others in casual or informal situations. They understand that communication happens through verbal and nonverbal cues, and are able to interpret body language accurately and use it appropriately.

Resilience: Effective performers are able to recover from mistakes or adjust easily to change. They sustain efforts to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

Professionalism: Effective performers conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with organizational values, policies, and standards. This requires a commitment to integrity, ethical conduct, and respect for diversity, as well as the ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner.

M&M Management is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We’re dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team and designing employee experiences that contribute to your growth as much as you do to ours. We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to creating a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and supportive of all individuals. We encourage qualified individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that they have equal access to employment opportunities.