Safety Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Safety Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the company’s safety, compliance, and risk management programs for less-than-truckload (LTL) trucking operations. This role helps ensure compliance with applicable Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other regulatory requirements while promoting a culture of safety across drivers, dock operations, fleet maintenance, and terminal operations. The Safety Manager works closely with operations, human resources, maintenance, and claims partners to reduce accidents, prevent injuries, manage regulatory risk, and support safe, efficient operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain company safety policies, procedures, and programs for LTL transportation, dock operations, and terminal activities.
• Monitor compliance with DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, and related state and federal safety regulations.
• Maintain oversight of driver qualification files, hours-of-service compliance, vehicle inspection documentation, accident registers, and other required safety records.
• Lead safety onboarding, orientation, and recurrent training for drivers, dock employees, supervisors, and other operational staff.
• Conduct or coordinate driver observations, ride-alongs, terminal audits, dock safety reviews, and facility inspections to identify risks and corrective actions.
• Investigate vehicle accidents, cargo incidents, injuries, workers’ compensation events, and near misses; determine root causes and recommend preventive measures.
• Track safety performance metrics, including accident frequency, injury trends, claims activity, CSA-related indicators, and other key performance measures.
• Partner with operations leaders to coach employees, implement corrective action plans, and support accountability for safety violations or unsafe behaviors.
• Administer or coordinate post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty processes, and related documentation as required.
• Support fleet and maintenance teams in monitoring inspection trends, defect reporting, preventive maintenance compliance, and vehicle safety readiness.
• Coordinate safety meetings, toolbox talks, corrective action follow-up, and communication campaigns to reinforce a strong safety culture.
• Respond to regulatory audits, inspections, inquiries, and documentation requests from government agencies, insurers, or third-party administrators.
• Assist with workers’ compensation and liability claim management by partnering with HR, insurance carriers, legal counsel, and third-party administrators as needed.
• Review telematics, camera events, and other safety-related data to identify trends, coach drivers, and improve performance.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, and presentations for leadership regarding compliance exposure, incident trends, training needs, and safety initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support safe and compliant LTL operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in safety, transportation, business, occupational health, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of safety, compliance, transportation, or fleet management experience, preferably in LTL, trucking, logistics, or a multi-terminal transportation environment.
• Strong working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, and workers’ compensation practices.
• Experience conducting accident investigations, safety audits, training, and corrective action follow-up.
• Experience working with safety systems, telematics, onboard camera platforms, or transportation management-related reporting tools preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CDS, CSP, OSHA 30, or similar credentials are a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of transportation safety and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively with drivers, dock workers, managers, regulators, and external partners.
• Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret regulations, analyze trends, and recommend practical corrective actions.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively in time-sensitive situations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to work with reporting systems, spreadsheets, and safety-related software.
• Ability to lead training, influence behavior, and build credibility across operations teams.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment as well as in terminals, yards, docks, and other transportation settings. The role may require standing, walking, climbing in and out of equipment, and occasional travel between terminals or worksites. The Safety Manager must be able to respond to incidents outside of normal business hours when necessary.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify duties or assign additional responsibilities as business needs change