Safety, Compliance & Driver Recruiting Manager
Location: Vandalia, OH
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Ownership
Industry: Local & Regional Dry Van Trucking
About Us
Spears Transfer & Expeditng is a growing, medium-sized trucking company specializing in local and regional dry van transportation. We take pride in providing dependable service to our customers while maintaining a strong commitment to the safety of our drivers, employees, and the motoring public.
We are looking for a Safety, Compliance & Driver Recruiting Manager to work directly with company ownership and take a leadership role in our safety, regulatory compliance, driver recruiting, and employee support functions.
This is a hands-on management position. The successful candidate will be responsible for keeping our operation compliant, helping us recruit and retain quality CDL drivers, supporting our employees, and working directly with ownership to identify and solve problems.
The Opportunity
This position is ideal for someone who understands the trucking industry and enjoys wearing multiple hats. You will have significant responsibility and direct access to ownership, with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the company's safety, compliance, staffing, and overall operations.
The right candidate will be organized, proactive, dependable, and comfortable holding people accountable while maintaining positive relationships with drivers and employees.
Key ResponsibilitiesSafety & DOT Compliance
- Take ownership of the company's day-to-day safety and DOT compliance program.
- Maintain compliance with applicable FMCSA, DOT, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements.
- Maintain accurate and current Driver Qualification (DQ) files.
- Monitor CDL licenses, medical cards, MVRs, Clearinghouse requirements, and other driver qualifications.
- Manage DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements and documentation.
- Monitor Hours of Service (HOS) and ELD compliance.
- Review roadside inspections, violations, and safety-related issues and ensure appropriate follow-up.
- Track and monitor the company's safety performance and identify areas requiring improvement.
- Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses and coordinate corrective action.
- Work with drivers and management to identify unsafe behaviors and develop solutions.
- Conduct driver safety meetings and training.
- Maintain and update company safety policies and procedures.
- Prepare for and assist with DOT/FMCSA audits, investigations, and compliance reviews.
- Ensure required filings, reports, records, and compliance documentation are completed accurately and on time.
- Work closely with ownership to continuously improve the company's safety culture and performance.
Driver Recruiting & Retention
- Take responsibility for maintaining a strong pipeline of qualified CDL drivers.
- Develop and implement effective driver recruiting strategies for local and regional positions.
- Post and manage job advertisements across appropriate recruiting platforms.
- Respond to driver applicants and conduct initial phone and in-person interviews.
- Pre-screen applicants for qualifications, experience, driving history, and overall fit.
- Coordinate background checks, MVRs, drug testing, employment verification, and other pre-employment requirements.
- Manage the hiring process from initial application through orientation and onboarding.
- Build relationships with current drivers and encourage employee referrals.
- Help identify opportunities to improve driver retention and reduce turnover.
- Maintain recruiting records and track recruiting activity and results.
- Work directly with ownership to anticipate driver staffing needs.
Employee & HR Support
This position will also provide general HR support to ownership and employees, including:
- Assist with new-hire onboarding and employee orientation.
- Maintain confidential personnel and employment records.
- Assist with employee relations and workplace concerns.
- Help management address attendance, performance, policy, and disciplinary issues.
- Ensure company policies are communicated consistently and fairly.
- Assist with workers' compensation claims and related documentation.
- Assist with employee communications and company initiatives.
- Help maintain compliance with applicable employment requirements.
- Coordinate employee training and required documentation.
- Serve as a resource for drivers and employees who have questions about company policies or procedures.
Management & Administration
- Report directly to company ownership regarding safety, compliance, recruiting, and employee matters.
- Provide regular updates on safety performance, driver staffing, compliance issues, accidents, and other key metrics.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure important compliance deadlines are not missed.
- Develop practical systems to keep driver and employee information organized.
- Identify problems and recommend solutions rather than simply reporting issues.
- Work closely with dispatch, maintenance, operations, and ownership to resolve safety and employee issues.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding employee, driver, customer, and company information.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who takes ownership of their responsibilities and doesn't need to be reminded to follow up.
The ideal candidate:
- Has experience working in the trucking/transportation industry.
- Understands the realities of managing CDL drivers.
- Has strong knowledge of DOT/FMCSA compliance.
- Is comfortable working directly with drivers and addressing compliance or performance issues.
- Has experience with driver recruiting and understands how to attract quality CDL drivers.
- Is highly organized and detail-oriented.
- Can manage multiple priorities without losing track of important deadlines.
- Communicates professionally and effectively.
- Is comfortable having difficult conversations when necessary.
- Treats employees fairly and respectfully while maintaining accountability.
- Is proactive and capable of working independently.
- Is comfortable working directly with company ownership.
- Understands that safety, compliance, recruiting, and employee relations are interconnected.
Required Qualifications
- Experience in trucking, transportation, safety, compliance, driver recruiting, or a related field.
- Working knowledge of FMCSA/DOT regulations.
- Experience maintaining driver qualification files.
- Experience with MVRs, Clearinghouse, DOT drug & alcohol testing, medical certifications, and related driver compliance requirements.
- Experience working with CDL drivers.
- Strong computer and organizational skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience as a Safety Manager, Compliance Manager, Driver Recruiter, Fleet Manager, or similar transportation position.
- Experience with local/regional dry van operations.
- Experience with transportation management, safety, or compliance software.
- OSHA or other safety certifications.
- HR experience or SHRM certification.
- CDL or previous commercial driving experience.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience
- [Health/Dental/Vision Insurance]
- [401(k) / Retirement Plan]
- [Paid Time Off]
- [Paid Holidays]
- [Bonus/Incentive Program]
- Stable, growing company
- Direct access to and support from company ownership
- Opportunity to have a significant impact on the company's safety, compliance, and driver operations
Why This Position Matters
This isn't a position where your job is simply to keep paperwork in a filing cabinet.
You will be a key member of our management team and a direct partner to ownership. Your work will help determine the quality of our drivers, the safety of our operation, our regulatory standing, and ultimately the success of our company.
If you are someone who understands trucking, enjoys working with people, takes responsibility seriously, and wants a position where your work actually makes a difference, we'd like to hear from you.
Apply today to join Spears Transfer & Expediting Inc.
To apply Send resume & salary requirements to [email protected]
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
