Many of these specialty transportation jobs are available on online job searches and are easy to apply for, as long as you know how to look for them. Chances are you won't find much under the term "specialty transportation," but will find a lot of choices under the category: "distribution" and "warehouse distribution." Most job search sites today also have search engines for jobs according to location, to make finding a job in your area a lot easier.
Most of these job search entries contain well defined job descriptions, as more and more companies are becoming particular about the people who apply for jobs through online means. The most difficult thing about looking for specialty transportation jobs online is figuring out which job applies to what you are looking for. Different companies will give different names and titles for similar jobs. And with so many companies calling for applicants, it can get a bit confusing which jobs you can apply for.
Heads of warehouse distribution are expected to oversee all distribution operations, ensuring that the receiving, storing and delivery of goods, including packaging products for delivery and storage inventory. You will hardly see the term "head" in an online job search. Instead, you may see the terms dispatchers, managers, and supervisors. These heads are also in charge of management of personnel, and may include planning and budgeting capital, expenses and cost controls, although this really depends on each company that is hiring.
Dispatchers, managers, and supervisors aren't always the same job either, only similar. Many companies may give all responsibilities under each to one position, but many others will distinguish among each of these distribution jobs. Dispatchers who are hired for warehouse distribution jobs are required to be aware of all delivery activity, such as pick-ups and deliveries, are able to track all the drivers and their routes and locations, serve as the go-betweens for the drivers and customers, coursing all issues through customer service.
Customers will have several needs for which they will call the dispatcher's office directly, including product and freight quotations, bargains, and status of delivery, among others. As the dispatcher is supposed to track each driver's whereabouts, they should readily be able to answer delivery status inquiries. Dispatchers are often people-oriented and sociable, as much as they are organized. Smaller companies consolidate the dispatcher's duties under the responsibilities of the warehouse general manager.
Another similar managerial distribution job is the supervisor position, although supervisors have different job requirements and are often ranked under managers. While warehouse managers oversee the general run of the warehouse and distribution, supervisors concentrate more on the assurance of safety and production quality, maintaining company standards and government regulations. Supervisors, managers and dispatchers need to be computer savvy, as much of the business done these days is through email, and are required to file reports. Many distribution managers should also be familiar with the routes of their deliveries, optimizing the routes for the most effective deliveries and quickly able to determine new routes in the event of road obstruction such as calamities, heavy traffic and construction work.
Managers should also know how to drive and learn how to operate machinery, as they will be in charge of training new members of their staff, as well as personally showing them their routes and alternate routes. A staff working under these managers will include drivers, dock handlers, mechanics, and if needed, product representatives and assistant managers. There are companies who do not require a college degree for applicants of warehouse distribution jobs, such as product representatives and assistant managers, as long as they have had previous experience in warehouse distribution.
Product representatives are important especially in food distribution jobs, because extra care is needed in transferring food, particularly food that will spoil. The same care is important in alcohol distribution jobs, since these products are fragile and breakable.
Many small companies consolidate the work responsibilities of a driver and a dock handler under one position. Drivers are often accountable for the packages delivered to guarantee high quality service to the customers. Some small companies value drivers who have experience as mechanics, especially for long trips. Companies with large shipments or products will need several dock handlers to load, unload, and store the products.
Companies usually hire according to need and list several of the same positions for the same company. Companies with franchises all over the country will list several of the same position for different cities. Companies will also indicate if they need workers for a night shift, from drivers and handlers to supervisors and even managers. Since it is more convenient to do cross-country traveling overnight, some specialty transportation firms only hold operations at night. Some really big companies will hire for two different shifts to handle their busy schedules.
