Corporate Driver Trainer
hace 1 día
Kearny
Job Description Job Title: Corporate Driver Trainer Classification: Full Time - Exempt Department–Location: HSE&S – Based in Kearny, NJ, supporting operations across all three company locations: Kearny, NJ; New Castle, DE; and New Haven, CT Direct Supervisor: Director of HSE&S Job Summary The Corporate Driver Trainer is responsible for designing, delivering, evaluating, and continuously improving driver training programs across Kuehne Company sites. This role ensures all drivers are trained, coached, and held to consistent company, customer, DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, PHMSA, and site-specific standards, with an uncompromising focus on the safety of drivers, equipment, materials, customers, and the public. The Corporate Driver Trainer develops curriculum and documentation for the safe operation of tankers, dump trucks, flatbeds, and related equipment, including hazmat handling, loading and unloading procedures, load securement, customer-site etiquette, and regulatory compliance. This position blends hands-on instruction, in-cab and behind-the-wheel evaluations, classroom training, computer-based learning, coaching, and field observation to build a safe, compliant, and high-performing driver workforce. Supervisory Responsibilities This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Provides coaching, training, evaluation feedback, and performance documentation for drivers in coordination with HSES, HR, Operations leadership, and site leadership. Essential Responsibilities Design, write, and maintain driver training documentation, including curricula, standard operating procedures, checklists, evaluation forms, job aids, videos, and scenario-based exercises. Develop training programs for multiple delivery formats, including one-on-one in-cab instruction, behind-the-wheel coaching, classroom-based sessions, field demonstrations, and computer-based training modules. Build equipment-specific training tracks for tankers, dump trucks, flatbeds, and related company equipment, including loading, securement, coupling, unloading, equipment care, and site-specific operational standards. Create and maintain hazmat-specific training aligned with DOT, FMCSA, PHMSA, OSHA, customer, and company requirements, including placarding, shipping papers, chemical handling, emergency response, and spill containment. Regularly refresh training content to reflect regulatory changes, incident learnings, equipment updates, industry best practices, customer requirements, and Kuehne-specific operational needs. Conduct new-hire orientation, CDL-level skills training, refresher courses, remedial training, and probationary monitoring for drivers identified through safety observations, coaching needs, or incidents. Deliver classroom instruction on defensive driving, hours of service, ELD usage, pre- and post-trip inspections, load securement, hazmat handling, chemical handling protocols, PPE expectations, and customer service standards. Administer written, practical, and behind-the-wheel evaluations; certify drivers upon successful completion of required training and evaluations. Travel to company sites on a scheduled and as-needed basis to ensure every location receives consistent, high-quality training. Perform in-cab ride-alongs and behind-the-wheel assessments to observe driving behavior, route execution, customer interactions, equipment operation, and adherence to company and DOT standards. Conduct out-of-cab observations in yards, loading areas, unloading areas, and customer sites, evaluating pre-trip inspections, hook-ups, PPE use, spotting, loading, unloading, and securement practices. Review telematics, camera events, safety scorecards, and other coaching tools to identify trends, coaching opportunities, and targeted follow-up training needs. Document observations, coaching sessions, evaluations, corrective actions, and individualized improvement plans in the driver training record. Provide direct, constructive feedback that improves driver performance while maintaining trust, professionalism, and accountability. Serve as the custodian of “one company, one standard,” ensuring every driver at every site is trained consistently and held to the same expectations. Partner with HSES, HR, Operations leadership, and site leadership to investigate incidents, identify training gaps, and translate findings into practical training improvements and coaching tools. Maintain full compliance with DOT, FMCSA, PHMSA, OSHA, state-specific transportation rules, customer-specific requirements, and company policies; keep all training records audit-ready. Promote a culture of defensive driving, risk mitigation, behavioral-based safety, environmental awareness, incident prevention, and personal accountability. Represent the company professionally at all company sites and customer locations, reinforcing proper site etiquette, communication, safety practices, and environmental responsibilities. Train drivers on customer-facing expectations, including professional appearance, site check-in procedures, communication standards, issue escalation, and respectful customer interaction. Coach drivers on representing the Kuehne brand as the face of the company at every delivery. Required Skills and Abilities Valid CDL Class A with Hazmat (H) and Tanker (N) endorsements, or combined X endorsement, with a clean MVR and verifiable history of safe driving performance. Working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, PHMSA, OSHA, hours-of-service, ELD systems, drug and alcohol rules, and applicable state-specific transportation requirements. Ability to travel regularly to all company sites and manage a travel-heavy schedule while balancing training calendars across multiple locations. Ability to evaluate driver performance, provide corrective coaching, and document training outcomes clearly and accurately. Expert-level knowledge of commercial vehicle operation, load securement, hazmat handling, chemical handling, customer-site safety practices, and environmental awareness. Strong technical writing skills with the ability to produce clear, accurate training documentation from scratch. Confident classroom presenter able to adapt delivery for varied experience levels and learning styles. Strong observation and coaching skills, with the ability to give direct, constructive feedback that improves performance without damaging trust. Clear communication, patience, professionalism, problem-solving ability, situational awareness, and attention to detail. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, learning management systems, e-learning authoring platforms, telematics, and camera-review tools. High personal standard for safety, professionalism, integrity, and consistent follow-through. Bilingual English/Spanish a plus. Education and Experience High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or relevant technical certification preferred. Minimum 5 years of commercial truck driving experience, including substantial experience with tanker, dump truck, flatbed, hazmat, chemical handling, or industrial fleet operations. Demonstrated experience as a CDL trainer, driver finisher, lead driver, safety trainer, or equivalent coaching role. Formal instructor certification, such as Smith System, CEI, NATMI, Certified Driver Trainer, or equivalent credential preferred. Experience developing computer-based or e-learning training content using platforms such as Easygenerator, WorkRamp, Articulate, or similar authoring tools preferred. Experience with telematics and in-cab camera systems such as Samsara, Lytx, Motive, or similar systems for coaching and review preferred. Experience with tractor/trailer configurations, chemical transport, hazardous materials handling, and industrial fleet operations preferred. Background in adult education, curriculum development, or training program development preferred. Physical Requirements and Work Environment Ability to safely enter and exit commercial vehicles repeatedly throughout the day. Ability to safely climb onto and around tankers, dump trucks, flatbeds, trailers, and related equipment to demonstrate inspections, loading, unloading, and securement procedures. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for extended periods, and work outdoors in all weather conditions. Work is performed in a mix of office, classroom, yard, warehouse, vehicle, and customer-site environments. Exposure to outdoor weather, industrial noise, vehicle traffic, and chemical-handling areas while using required PPE. Must pass DOT physical, drug screen, background check, and be subject to ongoing random drug and alcohol testing. This position description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with this position. While this position description is intended to reflect the position’s activities and requirements accurately, management reserves the right to modify and/or remove duties as necessary. This is a Safety Sensitive Position within the organization. Kuehne is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/Disabled/Veteran).