Director of Safety

Caruso USA • Cincinnati, OH

1d

About The Position

This role strategically and proactively leads the Company’s fleet safety & compliance programs. The Director of Safety serves as a servant leader and key member of the Risk Management Leadership Team, collaborating closely with operational and functional leadership regarding behavioral safety and organizational policies and practices. The position promotes a positive safety culture, leads driver qualification and onboarding, and oversees compliance with FMCSA Safety Management System - Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). The role ensures safety goals are actively pursued, monitored, and reported, and involves researching, recommending, developing, and implementing safety awareness, education, and incentive programs. The Director will build and manage a diverse team, develop and implement action plans to mitigate risks, and educate managers on safety management practices. Collaboration with transportation operations and field leadership is key to ensuring compliance with DOT and other regulations, developing accident and injury prevention plans, and reinforcing driver performance improvement programs. The role also oversees drug and alcohol testing programs, coordinates with Safety, Operations, and Legal teams on accident response, and assists in developing safety champions. Budget management for the department is also a responsibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in Safety-Transportation Management, Engineering, or related field. Combination of education and applicable work experience will also be considered.
• 10 years of experience in leading Transportation-Fleet Safety in the commercial trucking industry.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience leading operational EHS and building, developing, and managing collaborative teams.
• Demonstrated results in establishing strategic goals and metrics for measuring success.
• Strong Computer application skills including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Expert knowledge of federal, state, and local fleet and safety regulatory requirements (DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, EPA, etc.).
• Knowledge and experience with transportation systems and technology.
• Excellent executive presence with strong leadership, collaboration, analytical, influential, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Must be a strategic thinker who is results-oriented with the ability to drive continuous improvement within the Safety organization as well as the overall organization.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or related safety designation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strategically and proactively lead the Company’s fleet safety & compliance programs.
• Enforce adherence to federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA).
• Conduct regular facility inspections and safety audits.
• Identify potential workplace risks and design procedures to control or eliminate physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
• Develop and deliver safety training programs for new hires, annual refreshers, and specialized tasks.
• Lead root-cause analysis for accidents, injuries, or environmental spills to determine corrective actions and prevent future occurrences.
• Maintain accurate documentation of safety incidents, compliance reports, and training logs.
• Serve as a servant leader and key member of the Risk Management Leadership Team.
• Collaborate closely with operational and functional leadership regarding behavioral safety and organizational policies and practices.
• Promote a positive safety culture which recognizes and rewards safe behaviors and safe work practices while providing coaching and feedback for unsafe behaviors.
• Lead driver qualification and onboarding efforts to ensure competent and qualified drivers are recruited.
• Oversee compliance in the standards of driver hiring and monitor the standards through audits and evaluations.
• Understand, assess, and promote successful adherence to FMCSA Safety Management System - Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs).
• Ensure safety goals are actively pursued, monitored, and reported on a monthly basis.
• Research, recommend, develop, and implement safety awareness, education, and incentive programs.
• Build and manage a diverse team while creating a culture that motivates people who can work in a team-based, participative, and results-oriented environment.
• Develops and implements action plans as necessary to mitigate risks, including corrective action plans derived from root cause analysis.
• Educate and oversee the competency of managers in safety management practices, protocols and procedures, mentoring and accountability.
• Collaborate with transportation operations to ensure compliance with DOT and other federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
• Partner with field leadership to develop vehicle accident and work-related injury prevention plans based on loss data and cause analysis and ensure plans are well executed.
• Collaborate with Operations as needed to identify driver safety and regulatory issues and reinforce driver performance improvement programs.
• Oversee the management of post-accident drug and alcohol testing programs and ensure compliance with all aspects of local, state, and federal regulations and company policy.
• Coordinate with Safety, Operations and Legal teams in the response, management, and reporting of motor vehicle accidents.
• Assist in development of high-potential safety champions within regions to promote safety and future safety leadership pipeline.
• Assuring DOT drug/alcohol program is compliant with regulations, including the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
• Escalate regulatory issues to executive leadership, as appropriate.
• Develop and manage department forecasts and budgets.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director