Benefits of a Dedicated Truck Driver Manager

Quality leadership is a game changer at OTR trucking jobs. Here’s how.

OTR trucking jobs are uniquely demanding, but top employers know a dedicated driver manager can make a world of difference for their drivers. At Midwest Carriers, we see the difference first hand, which is why we are committed to having a dedicated driver manager as a resource for our truckers. As someone considering a career in trucking, or contemplating your next move in the industry, you might wonder how much of a difference a dedicated driver manager can truly make in a company. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits our drivers experience as a result of having access to this valuable resource.

What is a dedicated driver manager?

Driver managers, sometimes known as dispatchers, help maintain commitment to company goals and objectives while also assisting with your daily responsibilities as a truck driver. That means alongside the rest of the operations team, they handle scheduling and assignments and balance the needs of our customers with the availability of drivers. At OTR trucking jobs, they are the point of contact for driver inquiries, job satisfaction related issues, as well as driver questions and complaints. It’s a big job, but in our mind, someone has to do it, and do it well.

With so much riding on the shoulders of a dedicated driver manager, it’s easy to see that their teamwork qualities and professionalism impact much of a driver’s daily experience on the job.

Here are three major ways we see a dedicated driver manager making significant improvements in the working lives of our truckers.

1. Improved communication.

Weak communication within any organization can be the root of multiple issues for front line workers, and that certainly holds true in trucking. An effective driver manager understands the importance of clear communication, whether it’s related to performance, anticipated issues on the road, or simply making you feel welcome when you join the team.

2. Access to a listening ear.

Being an OTR driver can often feel like you’re traveling a long road alone–literally and figuratively. The personal and professional challenges faced by drivers are intensely different than those in a typical office environment, and the pressures are real. When you have a dedicated driver manager, you don’t have to navigate the twists and turns of life and work on the road alone, and you have access to a listening ear when you need one. Good driver managers not only understand where you’re coming from, but they have a vested interest in helping you work through challenges so that we can deliver on our promises together.

3. Seamless connection to a knowledgeable resource when the shift hits the fan.

Problems arise in every job, but with inadequate access to leadership, frustrations can quickly escalate. The fast-paced, rapidly-changing world of OTR trucking jobs require effective leadership who can support drivers as problems arise and connect them to the resources and solutions they need. At Midwest Carriers, our driver manager is responsible for helping you solve issues as quickly as possible while in the thick of it. At the same time, they are also thinking critically about process improvements that can mitigate the possibility of the same issues down the road. And that means a smoother journey ahead for your career.

At Midwest Carriers, we deliver for our drivers.

Having a dedicated driver manager is just one of the many ways that Midwest Carriers delivers for our drivers. We know life on the road can be rough, but we also know an effective driver manager can smooth out the potholes of the job. When you’re ready to get behind the wheel with us, you can rest assured you’ll be backed by professionals who care about you and the challenges we all face on the job. Learn more about our driver-focused culture, and contact us for more information about how to be a part of our trucking team.