Director of Safety & Compliance

Company Overview

Vista Trans is a dynamic leader in freight transportation and forwarding services, committed to excellence, innovation, and building strong partnerships. Since 2011, we have grown into a diversified holding company with subsidiaries specializing in transportation, brokerage, and logistics management, serving major clients across various industries.

Job Summary

The Director of Safety & Compliance will lead the company’s enterprise-wide safety and compliance strategy for a fleet of 500+ power units operating nationwide. This executive leadership role is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive safety initiatives that ensure compliance with FMCSA, DOT, OSHA, and company standards while promoting a culture of safety and accountability throughout the organization. The Director of Safety & Compliance will drive long-term safety performance, risk mitigation, accident prevention, insurance cost reduction initiatives, and operational excellence. This position will play a critical role in building scalable safety and compliance systems to support the company’s continued growth and operational expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain company‑wide safety policies, procedures, and compliance programs.
• Lead safety strategy across a nationwide fleet of 500+ power units.
• Ensure compliance with FMCSA, DOT, OSHA, and all federal/state regulations.
• Maintain strong CSA scores, safety ratings, and DOT compliance.
• Oversee driver qualification files, HOS compliance, drug/alcohol programs, and safety documentation.
• Build scalable safety systems to support rapid fleet growth.

Executive & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a strategic partner to Operations, Maintenance, Recruiting, HR, Fleet, and Executive Leadership.
• Lead and mentor the Safety & Compliance Department, including managers, coordinators, claims specialists, and logbook teams.
• Establish KPIs, performance standards, and accountability metrics.
• Promote a proactive, company‑wide culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Insurance, Claims & Risk Management

• Lead accident investigations, cargo claims, and safety violation reviews.
• Analyze trends and implement corrective/preventive action plans.
• Manage post‑accident procedures, insurance communication, and claims handling.
• Drive initiatives to reduce insurance costs, prevent nuclear verdicts, and lower claims exposure.
• Partner with insurance carriers, brokers, TPAs, and legal counsel.

Driver Safety & Training

• Oversee driver safety training, orientation, coaching, and corrective action programs.
• Conduct safety meetings and ongoing driver education.
• Monitor driver performance and safety metrics.
• Utilize telematics and event data for coaching and performance improvement.

Technology & Safety Systems

• Manage safety technology platforms including Samsara, Motive, Lytx, AI‑based coaching tools, and dashcam systems.
• Use telematics, ELD data, and predictive analytics to reduce risk and improve performance.
• Analyze safety data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.

Operational Safety Oversight

• Partner with Fleet, Operations, and Maintenance to ensure equipment safety and compliance.
• Support preventive maintenance programs aligned with DOT requirements.
• Assist with roadside events, emergency response, and operational risk reduction.

Risk Management & Performance Metrics

• Reduce accident frequency, insurance costs, and operational liability.
• Improve CSA scores, compliance exposure, and safety KPIs.
• Analyze claims and operational data to drive strategic improvements.

Audits & Regulatory Readiness

• Prepare the company for DOT audits, insurance audits, and compliance reviews.
• Lead corrective action plans and maintain satisfactory safety ratings.
• Manage responses to violations, citations, and regulatory inquiries.
• Ensure accurate and timely safety reporting and documentation.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Logistics, Business Administration, Occupational Safety, or related field preferred.

Experience

• 7–10+ years of progressive safety and compliance leadership experience in the trucking industry.
• Experience overseeing safety operations for fleets of 200+ power units (500+ preferred).
• Strong knowledge of FMCSA, DOT, OSHA, and transportation safety regulations.
• Proven success managing CSA scores, accident prevention programs, insurance claims, litigation, and DOT audits.
• Experience with enterprise safety systems, telematics, and compliance technologies.

Skills

• Strong executive leadership and team‑building abilities.
• Excellent analytical and strategic problem‑solving skills.
• Outstanding communication and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to lead in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
• Proficiency with TMS, ELD platforms, telematics systems, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong decision‑making and operational leadership capabilities.
• Ability to analyze complex safety and operational data.

Schedule

Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Why Join Us?

This is a high‑impact leadership role with the opportunity to shape the safety culture of a rapidly growing transportation company. You’ll lead major initiatives, influence executive strategy, and build scalable systems that support long‑term success.

Vista Trans Holding is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. Employment decisions at Vista Trans Holding are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join our team.

Vista Trans Holding may use artificial intelligence (AI) and automated tools to support certain stages of our recruitment, onboarding, and operational processes. These tools are used to enhance efficiency and consistency, but all final employment decisions are made by human reviewers. AI systems do not make hiring, promotion, or termination decisions. Vista Trans Holding is committed to ensuring that any AI‑assisted processes are used responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.