Engineering Despatch Manager
Posted 2 days 23 hours ago by South West Recruitment
Despatch Manager
Industry: Precision Engineering (Aerospace)
Full-time Permanent
Salary: £40,000 per annum
We're looking for a driven and highly organised Despatch Manager to lead our despatch operations within a fast-paced precision engineering environment.
This is a hands on leadership role where you will take full ownership of the department-ensuring customer orders are delivered accurately, on time, and in line with strict aerospace standards.
You'll manage a small team, coordinate multiple priorities, and act as a key link between production, operations, and external suppliers. This role suits someone who thrives under pressure, takes pride in running a tight operation, and leads from the front.
Alongside managing daily operations, you will play a key role in developing your team, building capability, improving performance, and creating a strong, accountable working culture.
Key Responsibilities- Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the Despatch Department
- Prioritise workload to ensure all customer delivery deadlines are met
- Supervise, support, and develop the despatch team to maximise performance
- Set clear expectations and maintain accountability within the team
- Identify training needs and support ongoing skill development
- Oversee the accurate preparation and dispatch of all customer orders
- Ensure all orders are correctly invoiced and aligned with customer requirements
- Coordinate and monitor subcontract treatment processes
- Maintain accurate despatch logs, treatment records, and monthly reporting
- Oversee stock allocation and organisation within the department
- Maintain high standards of housekeeping and FOD prevention
- Communicate proactively with internal departments to avoid delays
- Respond quickly and effectively to changing production and customer priorities
- Leadership experience managing teams in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
- Confident working under pressure while maintaining performance
- Strong communication skills across teams and levels
- Proactive problem-solver who takes ownership of outcomes
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and Outlook
- Background in engineering, manufacturing, or logistics/dispatch
- Experience coordinating subcontract processes or production flow
We're open to candidates with transferable leadership experience and the right mindset.
What Good Looks Like in This Role- You run the department smoothly with minimal oversight
- You proactively develop team members and improve performance
- You keep the team organised, focused, and aligned with priorities
- You maintain accuracy even under pressure
- You proactively identify and resolve issues before they escalated
- You build strong communication across departments to keep work moving
- You and your team consistently meet or exceed delivery targets
- Leaders who enjoy developing people as well as delivering results
- Individuals who thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
- Managers who take pride in organisation, accuracy, and accountability
- Strong communicators who can coordinate across multiple teams
- Join a high-quality aerospace precision engineering business
- Take full ownership of a critical operational department
- Work with a supportive, team-focused environment
- Opportunity to make a real impact on delivery performance and efficiency
- Stable role within a growing and well-established company