Position Summary

The Assistant Retread Plant Manager supports the Plant Manager in overseeing daily tire retreading operations, including production, safety, quality, maintenance, and team supervision. This position serves as a key operational leader on the plant floor, ensuring processes run efficiently, safely, and in compliance with all company standards, Bandag requirements, and applicable industry regulations. The ideal candidate is a hands-on team leader with solid technical knowledge of tire retreading processes and a drive for continuous improvement in productivity and product quality.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operations

• Assist in planning, coordinating, and directing daily plant activities to achieve production goals in alignment with Bandag process requirements and company objectives.
• Support consistent adherence to Bandag’s retread manufacturing system, including inspection, buffing, repair, building, curing, and final inspection stages.
• Help optimize plant workflow, material usage, and labor efficiency to minimize downtime and waste.
• Step in to manage plant operations in the absence of the Plant Manager, ensuring continuity of production and compliance.

Quality Assurance

• Support 100% compliance with Bandag quality standards and documentation requirements.
• Assist in conducting regular quality audits, ensuring all retreads meet or exceed customer and DOT specifications.
• Help investigate process or product nonconformities and assist in implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Participate in Bandag field representative plant audits and certification reviews.

Team Leadership & Development

• Assist in supervising, training, and developing production staff, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and excellence.
• Support the Plant Manager in conducting performance evaluations and coordinating skill development initiatives.
• Help schedule staffing and manage workloads to meet changing production demands.
• Lead by example in promoting safety, quality, and professional workplace standards.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all company, Bandag, and OSHA safety policies to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
• Assist in conducting safety meetings, inspections, and training to ensure employee awareness and hazard prevention.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of materials in compliance with environmental regulations.
• Promptly report and document safety incidents, near-misses, and corrective actions.

Maintenance & Equipment

• Support preventive maintenance programs to ensure reliability and optimal performance of all Bandag retread machinery and curing equipment.
• Assist in coordinating maintenance activities and troubleshooting mechanical issues to minimize downtime.
• Communicate equipment concerns and maintenance needs promptly to the Plant Manager.

Reporting & Cost Control

• Assist in managing cost controls and monitoring inventory levels for tread rubber, cushion gum, envelopes, and other retread materials.
• Help track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as production volume, yield, quality, and scrap rate.
• Support corporate initiatives for efficiency improvement and waste reduction.

Statement of Other Duties

This document describes the major duties and responsibilities for this job and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. It should be understood, therefore, that employees may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described.

What We Offer

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k) – Pete’s match 25% up to 6% employee contribution
• Vacation – 2 Weeks
• $15,000 Life Insurance – additional coverage may be purchased
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Boot Program
• Paid Job-Related Certification Training
• Job-Related Tuition Reimbursement