Safety Director (Transportation)

Company Overview

McLeod Express has been family-owned and operated for over 40 years. We are an asset-based transportation company which provides logistical solutions to our customer’s needs by offering truckload, dedicated, third-party logistics, and warehousing services. We are committed to providing the highest quality of transportation services. Our customers are our most valuable resource, and we supply specialized account representatives to ensure their satisfaction and design a plan to meet their needs. At McLeod Express, we are searching for motivated individuals who enjoy a fast-paced work environment to help us continue to provide quality services to our customers. We are growing at a fast pace and look forward to adding qualified individuals to our team.

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and highly experienced Director of Safety to own and integrate safety, compliance, and day-to-day operational execution across the fleet. This is a senior leadership role with real authority, real accountability, and real impact on the company’s future.

The Director of Safety is responsible for reducing risk, improving CSA/SMS scores, and building scalable systems that support growth. This role sits at the intersection of safety, compliance, dispatch operations, driver management, and insurance performance. You will lead safety strategy, manage internal teams and vendors, and serve as the primary point of accountability for FMCSA compliance and loss prevention.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a culture of Safety & Compliance leadership, accountability, and operational excellence across all locations
• Own all FMCSA, DOT, and CSA/SMS compliance across the fleet
• Lead corrective action plans to reduce violations, inspections, crashes, and insurance risk
• Manage driver qualification files (DQFs), MVR monitoring, medical cards, and certifications
• Oversee accident response, investigations, and root-cause analysis
• Serve as the primary contact for audits, roadside trends, and insurance underwriters
• Implement and enforce safety policies, driver standards, and accountability frameworks
• Develop, implement, and maintain Fleet and Safety manuals in alignment with OSHA and other regulatory standards.
• Monitor tractor and trailer compliance
• Identify and remove repeat high-risk drivers and operational bottlenecks
• Analyze data and dashboards to identify and predict risk, track trends, and drive decisions
• Insurance & Risk Management
• Partner with ownership and insurers to improve risk profile
• Support insurance renewals, mid-term reviews, and underwriting narratives
• Reduce claim frequency and severity through proactive controls
• Team Leadership

Expectations

• Manage and develop safety team specialists and operational support roles
• Monitor, mentor, and coach drivers through camera system
• Set KPIs, expectations, and performance standards
• Train drivers and internal teams on safety and operational best practices
• Reduction in CSA BASIC scores and active flags
• Fewer roadside violations and preventable incidents
• Improved insurance terms and underwriter confidence
• Prepare for audits and counsel on inspection outcomes
• Strong driver accountability without toxic culture

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in trucking safety, compliance, or fleet operations
• Prior leadership experience in a safety role/environment
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with DOT compliance and regulatory requirements
• Comfortable in high-accountability, fast-moving environments
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel terminal locations as needed (Springfield, IL and Lafayette, IN)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of FMCSR, OSHA, and EPA regulations

Salary Range: $70,000 - 90,000

McLeod Express is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.