Director of Safety

Director Of SafetyThe Director of Safety is responsible for leading and advancing Wheeler Machinery's enterprise safety strategy, ensuring the safety of all employees, customers, and partners while embedding safety as a core pillar of the Daily Management System (DMS) and PSQDC framework (People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost).This role partners closely with the Continuous Improvement function to integrate safety into all operational processes, drive standard work, and sustain a culture of continuous improvement. The Director will leverage Lean principles to proactively identify hazards, eliminate risk, reduce incidents, and improve overall operational performance.This leader will ensure safety is not a standalone program but a fully integrated, measurable, and continuously improving operational discipline, aligned with business performance and frontline execution.Duties & Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership & Vision:Develop and lead Wheeler Machinery's enterprise safety strategy aligned with company goals and operational prioritiesEstablish safety as a core leadership competency across all levels of the organizationServe as the senior safety leader, driving accountability across all levels of the organizationEstablish clear safety vision, goals, and targets aligned with PSQDC metricsEnsure compliance with all regulatory requirements (OSHA, DOT, environmental, etc.)Shift the organization toward leading indicators, predictive analytics, and proactive risk mitigationPartner with leadership to integrate safety into business planning and performance expectationsManage relationships with regulatory agencies, auditors, and external partnersInnovation & Continuous Improvement:Partner directly with the Continuous Improvement team to embed safety into:Daily management Systems (tiered accountability, daily huddles, visual boards)Standard work and SOP developmentKaizen events and improvement projectsApply Lean methodologies (root cause analysis, waste elimination, error-proofing) to reduce incidents and near missesIdentify, evaluate, and implement innovative safety technologies, tools, and methodologies relevant to the high-risk environments associated with a CAT dealershipLeverage data and analytics to anticipate risk, improve decision-making, and prioritize interventionsBenchmark against Caterpillar dealer network, industry leaders, and regulatory trends to continuously elevate standardsFoster a culture of learning, experimentation, and continuous improvement in safety practicesStandardization & Governance:Develop, implement, and sustain standardized safety policies, procedures, and programs across all branches and job sitesEnsure consistency in safety expectations while allowing for operational realities in diverse environments (shops, field service, parts, transportation)Establish standardized policies, procedures, and audit processesLead enterprise-wide safety compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to OSHA, DOT, MSHA (as applicable), and other regulatory requirementsImplement and manage safety systems, tools, and reporting platforms.Partner with HR (VP of People) on policies, training, and employee relations matters tied to safety.Operational Execution & Process Excellence:Own and drive safety performance as the "S" within PSQDC across all business unitsDevelop and maintain safety dashboards, KPIs, and reporting cadences that drive action and accountabilityEstablish leading and lagging indicators (e.g., TRIR, near misses, observations, audits)Standardize visual management and reporting of safety metrics across the organizationLead regular reviews (daily, weekly, monthly) of safety performance integrated into DMS routinesEmbed safety into daily workflows, maintenance practices, and field operationsLead incident prevention strategies, investigations, and root cause analysis to eliminate recurrenceDesign and improve processes that reduce exposure to risk at the sourceRisk Management & Incident Reduction:Lead proactive hazard identification, risk assessments, and job safety analysesImplement systems to reduce high-risk exposures and serious injury/fatality (SIF) potentialOversee incident investigations using structured root cause methodologiesEnsure corrective actions are standardized, sustainable, and scalable across locationsFinancial Oversight:Develop and manage the annual safety budget, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and operational needs across all locationsBuild business cases for safety investments, including technology, training, and staffing, clearly articulating ROI, risk reduction, and cost avoidanceTrack and analyze the financial impact of safety performance, including workers' compensation, insurance premiums, claims trends, and indirect costs (downtime, turnover, productivity loss)Culture, Engagement & Training:Drive a culture where safety is a core value reflected in daily behaviors and decision-makingDesign and implement comprehensive safety training programs tailored to certain technicians, drivers, warehouse team, and leadersPromote active reporting of near misses, hazards, and improvement opportunitiesDrive engagement through safety observations, accountability routines, and recognition programsTeam Leadership & Capability Building:Build, lead, and develop a high-performing safety teamDefine clear roles, expectations, and performance standards for safety personnel and leadersElevate safety capability across the organization through coaching, training, and leadership developmentEnsure sustainability of safety programs through strong talent and succession planningWork closely with Operations, Service, Sales, Parts, and Facilities teams to embed safety into daily workQualifications:Bachelor's degree in Safety, Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, or related field (or equivalent experience)8–12+ years of progressive safety leadership experience in heavy equipment, construction, manufacturing, or similar high-risk environmentsDeep knowledge of OSHA, DOT, and relevant regulatory standardsDemonstrated ability to partner with operations leaders to embed standardized safety processes into daily routinesProven ability to lead cultural transformation and influence at all levels of an organizationExperience implementing safety management systems and data-driven safety programsStrong leadership, communication, and change management skills