DHL Supply Chain — a global market leader in contract logistics — is hiring a Team Lead Transport Operations (m/w/d) for its site in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. You will lead and take responsibility for the dispatch team, make sure truck transports (partial and full loads) are planned and controlled efficiently, and build strategic dispatch processes that make the best use of transport capacity. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone with dispatch leadership experience and strong transport logistics know-how — whether gained through studies, vocational training, or professional experience — who enjoys working with customers and developing people.
About DHL Supply Chain — Connecting People, Improving Lives
Position: Global market leader in contract logistics, offering tailored solutions for customers in many industries along the entire supply chain
Purpose: “Connecting people and improving lives” — the company motto in action every day
Workplace: Recognised as a great place to work, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion in the Germany & Alps region
Society: Positive impact through three company initiatives:
GoTeach
GoHelp
Essen — Logistics in the Heart of the Ruhr Area
Connectivity: Very good public transport links, plus free parking at the site
Location: Essen sits in the Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia — one of Germany’s busiest freight and logistics corridors
Industry Mix: Customers from diverse sectors, which keeps the daily dispatch work varied and interesting
Why This Team Lead Transport Operations Role in Essen Stands Out: Dispatch is the nerve centre of road logistics, and this role puts you in charge of it. You will lead a team, buy freight capacity day by day, agree market-based transport prices, and shape how the whole operation runs. With collective-agreement pay including Christmas and holiday bonuses, intensive onboarding by experienced colleagues, flexible overtime compensation, and access to the group-wide myShares stock programme, DHL Supply Chain offers a stable, well-supported leadership position in the Ruhr area.
Position Overview
As Team Lead Transport Operations at DHL Supply Chain in Essen, you will manage the dispatch team and make sure truck transports (partial and full loads) are planned and controlled efficiently. You will develop and implement strategic dispatch processes for the best possible use of transport capacity, coordinate the daily purchase of freight capacity, and agree market-appropriate transport prices that fit customer requirements. You will also watch over quality standards, legal regulations, and internal guidelines, handle customer complaints, run regular team meetings, and support your people’s development in a motivating work environment.
Key Responsibilities
Dispatch Leadership & Transport Planning
- Lead and take responsibility for the dispatch team, ensuring efficient planning and control of truck transports — both partial loads (LTL) and full loads (FTL).
- Develop and implement strategic dispatch processes for optimal use of transport capacity, reducing empty runs and keeping deliveries on schedule.
Capacity Purchasing & Pricing
- Coordinate the day-to-day purchase of freight capacity and agree market-appropriate transport prices that take customer requirements into account.
Quality, Compliance & Customers
- Monitor compliance with quality standards, legal regulations, and internal guidelines, and handle customer complaints professionally.
Team Development
- Hold regular team meetings, support the development of team members, and build a motivating work environment where people want to grow.
What You Bring
Extensive logistics know-how — gained through studies, vocational training, or relevant professional experience.
Leadership experience in a dispatch environment and a good understanding of the challenges of transport logistics.
Strong customer focus and teamwork.
Organisational talent with a structured, solution-oriented way of working.
Fluent German and English — knowledge of further languages is an advantage.
What DHL Supply Chain Offers
Very good public transport links
Free parking
Intensive onboarding by experienced colleagues
Flexibility — overtime compensation
Collective-agreement pay with Christmas & holiday bonus
Employee discounts & birthday vouchers
myShares group-wide stock programme
Summer party & Christmas party
Capital-forming benefits (VL)
 Contact for This Position
Contact person: Ellen Breymaier
Phone: +49 2151 3680507
How to apply: Use the “Apply now” button on the DHL Supply Chain careers page or job platform.
 Diversity & Inclusion: DHL Supply Chain Germany & Alps welcomes everyone equally. For questions about inclusion, the company’s inclusion officer, Mareike Schäfer, is available (Tel: +49 228 18974178 or mareike.schaefer@dhl.com).
Who Should Apply?
- Dispatchers Ready to Lead: Experienced transport dispatchers or planners who already coordinate trucks and now want to lead a team.
- Logistics Team Leaders in Germany: Professionals with dispatch leadership experience in road freight, contract logistics, or forwarding.
- Freight Purchasing & Pricing Specialists: People comfortable buying day-to-day capacity and negotiating market-based transport prices.
- Logistics Graduates & Trained Professionals: Candidates with a logistics degree, vocational training, or strong practical experience in transport operations.
- Bilingual German–English Speakers: Organised, customer-focused leaders who communicate fluently in both languages and enjoy developing their teams.
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