Driver Training Manager

Cowan Systems and Cowan Management•Baltimore, MD

16d

About The Position

The Driver Training Manager is responsible for leading and developing a team of Driver Trainers, Driver Success Specialists, and HAZMAT Compliance Specialists to ensure safe, compliant, and effective driver onboarding and ongoing training. This role drives team performance through coaching, accountability, and continuous feedback while fostering a high-performance, safety-first culture. This position partners closely with Safety and Operations to evaluate driver trends, enhance training programs, and ensure compliance with Hazardous Materials and regulatory requirements. The Driver Training Manager oversees the development and continuous improvement of training materials, safety campaigns, and processes, ensuring all training initiatives are completed effectively and aligned with business needs. Through strong leadership and data-driven decision-making, this role supports driver success, compliance, and overall operational excellence.

Requirements

High School Diploma, Associates or Bachelors degree in Business, Transportation, Safety, or related field preferred
5+ years of experience in transportation, driver training, safety, or operations leadership
Proven experience managing and developing teams (Driver Trainers, Safety, or Operations staff)
Strong knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, Hours of Service, and Hazardous Materials regulations
Experience developing and delivering training programs and safety initiatives
Familiarity with telematics systems and driver performance tools (Geotab, Samsara, Bendix, etc.)
Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and implement process improvements
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Accountable for overall management, performance, and leadership of Seated Driver Trainers, Driver Success Specialists, & HAZMAT Compliance Specialists. This includes individual performance discussions, managing pay and providing performance feedback.
Accountable for management with Regional Driver Trainers as it relates to safety meetings and safety lane checks.
Accountable for management with Driver Success team as it relates to timely response to driver requests, ensure that each request is closed to possible best outcome.
Continually assess training process to ensure we are meeting the needs of the business and drivers and collaborate with safety and operations management to evaluate and identify trends with the driver fleet.
Proactively identify and provide visibility to components of training that needs course content modifications.
Give feedback to the safety management team and director for improvements to any training program.
Have working knowledge of companys telematics systems.
Oversee Hazardous Materials regulations compliance.
Ensure remedial and proactive safety training events are completed in an appropriate time frame.
Customarily and regularly direct the work of two or more associates.
Exercise authority to hire and discharge associates; make suggestions and recommendations as to advancement, promotion, and compensation.
Develop periodic Safety Campaigns to highlight specific areas of concern.
Allocate, manage, and distribute work amongst areas of accountability and team members.
Execute established leadership processes.
Provide training to team members.
Create and sustain a high-performance environment through leadership processes and actions.
Accountable to drive performance and achieve results through others.
Lead, and participate in the development of, all training material for skills used by driver in Cowan for safe, legal operation.
Initiate activities to facilitate process/training improvements.
Apply continuous improvement methods to all current training events.