Safety & Compliance Manager

NREP; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NREP in Little Rock, AR is seeking a Safety Manager to protect people, customers and brand while enabling compliant distribution operations. This role partners with leaders to drive a proactive safety culture and manage risk across transportation, warehouse, and facilities.

You will develop safety programs, coach supervisors, analyze risk trends, oversee DOT/FMCSA/OSHA compliance, manage workers' compensation programs, and lead safety training.

Qualifications

• Experience leading safety programs and coaching leaders.
• Strong knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, and OSHA regulations.
• Experience in food distribution safety standards.
• Ability to analyze risk trends and KPI data.

Responsibilities

• Lead accident prevention strategy and safety leadership across OpCo.
• Ensure DOT/FMCSA compliance and oversee driver qualifications.
• Investigate incidents and manage post-accident actions.
• Oversee OSHA compliance and safety audits.
• Manage workers' compensation program and return-to-work.
• Design and deliver safety training for drivers and associates.
• Foster proactive safety culture with incident reporting.

Skills

Safety leadership

Risk analysis

DOT compliance

FMCSA compliance

OSHA compliance

Training delivery

Incident investigation

Data analysis

Policy development

Job description

The Safety Manager plays a critical leadership role in protecting our people, customers, and brand while enabling efficient, compliant distribution operations. This role partners closely with all leaders to drive a proactive, prevention-focused safety culture across our Operating Company (OpCo).

Responsible for developing programs, coaching leaders and associates, analyzing risk trends, and ensuring compliance with DOT, FMCSA, OSHA and food distribution safety standards. Also responsible for developing, implementing and/or administering environmental, fleet safety, occupational health and safety, facility security and disaster preparedness planning, along with effective management of claims (e.g., property and casualty - worker's compensation, auto liability, physical damage, and products/general liability).

Responsibilities may include, but not limited to:

• Accident Prevention and Safety Leadership
• Leads the OpCo's accident prevention strategy focusing on risk identification, behavioral safety and continuous improvement.
• Develops and implement preventability standards, accident review processes, and corrective action plans.
• Chairs or co-chair accident review committees, partnering with Transportation, Operations, Sales and Human Resources leaders to determine root causes and accountability.
• Proactively analyzes trends in near-misses, driver behaviors and facility incidents to prevent accidents before they occur.
• Partners with frontline supervisors to conduct ride-alongs, yard observations, and safety walks that reinforce safe behaviors.
• Drives engagement in safety initiatives such as near-miss reporting and recognition programs to reinforce safe behaviors and results.
• Serves as a subject matter expert during serious incidents, ensuring effective communication, documentation and follow-up.
• Transportation and CDL Safety
  • Lead all DOT and FMCSA compliance activities, including driver qualification files, hours of service, CSA scores and vehicle inspections.
  • Partner with Transportation leadership to coach CDL drivers on safe driving behaviors, defensive driving and regulatory compliance.
  • Investigate vehicle accidents and incidents, determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
  • Manage post-accident, random and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing programs.
  • Analyze telematics, dashcam, and accident data to identify trends and reduce risk.
• Warehouse and Facility Safety
  • Oversee OSHA compliance across the OpCo, including powered industrial trucks, ergonomics, fall protection and material handling.
  • Conduct safety audits, job hazard analyses (JHA's) and facility inspections.
  • Support safe food distribution practices, including cold-chain safety, dock safety and sanitation related risks.
• Risk Management and Continuous Improvement
  • Manage the Worker's Compensation Program from initial injury reporting through claim closure.
  • Lead incident investigations for workplace injuries and near-misses, ensuring timely reporting and corrective actions.
  • Partner with Human Resources, Operations, medical providers and third-party administrators to control claim costs and improve outcomes.
  • Lead return-to-work and temporary modified light duty programs to support associate recovery while minimizing time loss claims.
  • Track, analyze and report worker's compensation and safety KPI's (TRIR, DART, preventable accidents, CSA scores) to identify trends, high-risk job functions, and opportunities for injury prevention.
  • Develop and update safety policies, procedures and emergency response plans.
  • Lead safety committee and cross-function improvement initiatives.
  • Support litigation management by providing documentation, investigation findings and expert testimony when required.
• Training and Safety Culture Development
  • Design and deliver engaging safety training for OpCo associates, especially drivers, selectors, sales team, supervisors and leaders.
  • Lead new-hire safety orientation for drivers and warehouse associates.
  • Coach frontline leaders to own safety accountability within their teams.
  • Champion a proactive, "see something, say something" safety culture.
• Demonstrate awareness of customer needs and perform job duties to effectively meet those needs.
• Develop interpersonal relationships which encourage openness, candor and trust, both internally and externally.
• Provide informative and professional assistance when working with the public/customers/vendors and coworkers.
• Monitor safety programs and implement changes necessary to ensure the health and safety of our associates.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.