Distribution Safety Manager

About the role

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day. The Distribution Safety Manager is responsible for leading and executing safety strategies across a large-scale distribution network supporting professional drivers. This role ensures regulatory compliance, proactively reduces risk, and supports a strong safety culture through hands-on leadership. The position requires regular travel to operational sites and active management of inward-facing camera systems to monitor and coach driver behavior and enhance fleet safety.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the safety performance and compliance of approximately 250 commercial drivers, using data-driven insights to proactively identify trends, high-risk behaviors, and systemic issues.
• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive risk and injury reduction strategies across distribution and fleet operations, with a focus on measurable outcomes (e.g., reducing DOT-recordable incidents, preventable accidents, and lost-time injuries).
• Analyze inward-facing camera system data to detect unsafe driving behaviors (e.g., distraction, fatigue, following distance), and implement targeted coaching and corrective action plans to reduce repeat events.
• Conduct ongoing risk assessments and safety audits across facilities and transportation operations; translate findings into actionable mitigation plans.
• Partner with Operations and Distribution leadership to design and implement preventive safety programs, including driver scorecards, behavior-based safety initiatives, and incentive programs that reinforce safe performance.
• Travel regularly to distribution centers and field locations to observe operations firsthand, validate safety practices, and ensure consistent implementation of safety standards.
• Lead thorough root cause investigations for accidents, injuries, and near-misses; identify contributing factors and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and implement targeted safety training programs focused on high-risk activities, and defensive driving techniques to reduce injury frequency and severity.
• Monitor and report on key safety metrics and KPIs (e.g., OIR, DART rate, Samsara safety scores), using trends to continuously refine safety strategies and prioritize interventions.
• Ensure full compliance with DOT, OSHA, FMCSA, and applicable state regulations, while also driving initiatives that go beyond compliance to achieve best-in-class safety performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Operations, and Maintenance to address injury trends, return-to-work programs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and enforce safety protocols tailored to distribution operations.
• Implement the Quarterly Tire Blitz, Monthly Garage Audits, and other initiatives.
• Oversee implementation of the weekly Toolbox Talk process.
• Recommend and evaluate safety-related technologies, PPE, and best practices to continuously improve safety performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Transportation, Logistics, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in safety management within transportation, logistics, or distribution environments.
• Strong knowledge of DOT, OSHA, and FMCSA regulations.
• Experience managing large-scale driver safety programs, including use of inward facing camera system technology.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or similar certification is preferred.
• Proven ability to build rapport with frontline teams and lead a safety-first culture.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently (up to 50%) to operational sites.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Teams.

Pay

Pay: $81K‑$115K a year. The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package.

Benefits

• Group health and/or dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Wellness program
• Paid time away from work
• Paid holidays