DOT Safety & Compliance Manager

Job Description: DOT Safety & Compliance Manager 

Location: Dunnville, KY
Department: Logistics / Transportation
Reports To: Director of Logistics / Operations

Position Summary

The DOT Safety & Compliance Manager is responsible for leading all safety, compliance, and regulatory programs for a private fleet supporting manufacturing operations. This role ensures full compliance with standards established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Department of Transportation (DOT), while actively driving a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across drivers, yard operations, and transportation leadership.

This position partners closely with logistics, plant leadership, and HR to reduce risk, improve CSA scores, and ensure safe, efficient delivery of materials and finished goods.

Key Responsibilities

DOT & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with FMCSA and DOT regulations, including: 
  • Hours of Service (HOS) 
  • Driver Qualification (DQ) files 
  • Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse 
  • ELD compliance and auditing 
• Maintain audit readiness at all times (internal and external DOT audits) 
• Interpret regulatory changes and implement updates across the fleet 

Driver Safety & Fleet Oversight

• Lead safety programs for CDL drivers operating company-owned tractors and trailers 
• Conduct driver safety onboarding, training, and ongoing coaching 
• Monitor driver performance, including: 
  • HOS compliance 
  • Violations and citations 
  • Telematics and dashcam data 
• Partner with operations to ensure safe scheduling and dispatch practices 

Accident & Incident Management

• Lead all accident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions 
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting in accordance with DOT requirements 
• Track and trend incidents to identify systemic risks 
• Work with insurance providers and legal teams as needed 

Safety Programs & Culture

• Develop and implement proactive safety initiatives 
• Lead safety meetings, toolbox talks, and driver engagement activities 
• Promote a “safety-first” culture across logistics and manufacturing interfaces 
• Partner with plant leadership to ensure yard and dock safety alignment 

Data, Reporting & CSA Performance

• Monitor and improve CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores 
• Develop dashboards and reporting for leadership visibility 
• Identify trends and implement corrective actions to reduce violations and risk 
• Track KPIs such as: 
  • Preventable accidents 
  • HOS violations 
  • Inspection results 
  • Driver turnover related to safety 

Training & Development

• Design and deliver driver safety training programs 
• Ensure compliance with required certifications and ongoing education 
• Support new driver onboarding and qualification processes 

Policy & Procedure Management

• Develop, maintain, and enforce safety policies and procedures 
• Ensure all drivers sign and adhere to company safety policies 
• Align transportation safety policies with manufacturing safety standards 

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of DOT safety, transportation safety, or fleet compliance experience 
• Strong knowledge of FMCSA regulations and DOT compliance requirements 
• Experience managing CDL driver populations and Class 8 fleet operations 
• Experience with ELD systems, telematics, and safety monitoring tools 
• Proven experience leading accident investigations and corrective actions 

Preferred

• Experience in manufacturing-supported logistics or private fleet operations 
• Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Logistics, Business, or related field 
• DOT compliance certification or safety certification (e.g., CSP, CDS) 
• Experience improving CSA scores and managing DOT audits 

Core Competencies

• Regulatory expertise and attention to detail 
• Strong leadership and driver engagement skills 
• Data-driven decision making 
• Ability to influence without direct authority 
• Crisis management and problem solving 
• Cross-functional collaboration (Operations, HR, Maintenance) 

Working Environment

• Combination of office, yard, and plant environments 
• Regular interaction with drivers, equipment, and active loading areas 
• Occasional travel to other sites or terminals 

Why This Role Matters

This role is critical to protecting our employees, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining uninterrupted manufacturing operations. Safety performance directly impacts cost, service reliability, and company reputation.