Dispatch Manager - County Tipperary

Dispatch Manager - County Tipperary 

The Role & Purpose

Our client is seeking an experienced Dispatch Manager to join their site management team. The successful candidate will have responsibility for the Dispatch, Chilled and Frozen Storage areas of the business, managing and overseeing intake, storage and dispatch operations.

The role will ensure the smooth, safe and efficient flow of goods across domestic and export markets, while maintaining high standards of product quality, food safety, traceability and operational performance.

This is a hands-on management role requiring strong organisational, leadership and communication skills, together with experience in a dispatch, warehouse or cold-store environment.

Key Responsibilities

Intake & Storage Management

• Oversee systems and procedures for the intake of chilled and frozen products.
• Manage cold storage facilities, including blast freezers.
• Ensure optimal product handling and storage conditions to maintain quality.
• Plan and schedule operational activity.

Dispatch Operations

• Lead dispatch activities for fresh and frozen products to customers.
• Develop and maintain systems and procedures to ensure timely and accurate order fulfilment.
• Liaise with planning to deliver required outputs and communicate changes.

Systems & Documentation

• Manage stock using SAP and Business Warehouse systems.
• Prepare and manage documentation for both export and domestic market consignments.
• Handle Health Certificates, including TRACES documentation and compliance.

Team Management

• Manage time and attendance for dispatch personnel using the company's time management system.
• Organise annual leave for dispatch personnel to minimise any impact on plant performance.
• Manage team performance and training.
• Participate actively in the recruitment and development of the dispatch team in collaboration with HR.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained and hours are managed in line with budget and volume requirements.
• Take appropriate action when dealing with absenteeism.
• Deal with grievance and disciplinary issues in accordance with company policy.
• Review new employees using the Probationary Report Form.
• Report any issues that may arise as appropriate.
• Ensure familiarity with SOPs as detailed by the Quality Department.
• Ensure all Dispatch Operators are appropriately trained.
• Ensure appropriate training is carried out and SOPs are updated as required.

Compliance & Quality

• Maintain and enforce HACCP food safety systems across all operations.
• Ensure full compliance with internal and external food safety, quality and traceability standards.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in daily PIT meetings and lean processes.
• Lead LEAN initiatives and contribute to continuous improvement projects and team meetings.
• Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs and drive performance.

Cost & KPI Management

• Control costs and drive delivery of departmental KPIs.
• Monitor and manage loss prevention and stock discrepancies.

Customer Service

• Maintain high standards of service and communication with key customers and internal stakeholders.
• Act as a point of contact for issue resolution relating to deliveries, stock and product condition.

Health & Safety

• Promote and enforce safe working practices in line with company Health & Safety policies.
• Complete safety walks.
• Investigate accidents and near misses.
• Update and maintain safety documentation for the dispatch area in conjunction with the Health & Safety Manager.

Transport Coordination

• Liaise with intercompany transport teams to ensure efficient movement of goods.
• Manage on-site movements and logistics, including returnable packaging.
• Manage operational relationships with third-party suppliers.

Key Requirements

• 3–5 years' experience in a dispatch, warehouse or cold-store management role, ideally within FMCG or the food industry.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Strong IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Strong understanding of chilled and frozen supply chain operations.
• Proficiency in SAP and stock management systems.
• Experience working with HACCP, LEAN and Health & Safety frameworks.
• Excellent team leadership, organisational and communication skills.
• Knowledge of export documentation and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to manage people and performance, motivate teams and drive continuous improvement.

Key Contacts / Relationships

• Site Management Team
• Planning and Sales
• Finance
• Quality
• HR
• Lean / Continuous Improvement
• Logistics and Third-Party Transport Providers
• Customers
• Suppliers, including internal sites