Construction Engineer/Continuous Improvement

Clayton; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

401K with company match

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Volunteer time through Clayton Impact

Job summary

Clayton is seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to drive lean initiatives on the production floor, collect data, and engage teams to sustain improvements. You will support the Production Manager, implement 5S, standard work, and kaizen events, while maintaining SOPs and KPI reporting.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, training coordination, and real-time performance visibility to elevate productivity, quality, and waste reduction across Clayton facilities.

Qualifications

• Experience with process development and controlled documentation.
• Experience with lean principles and manufacturing systems.
• Highly proficient recording data and creating reports using Excel and other MS Office programs.
• Ability to independently identify process documentation gaps and remedy quickly.

Responsibilities

• Work on production floor reviewing tasks and looking for efficiencies.
• Conduct time studies, process mapping, and root cause analysis to identify inefficiencies in production workflows.
• Collaborate with production leaders to implement lean tools such as 5S, visual management, standard work, and kaizen events.
• Maintain and update process documentation, including SOPs and work instructions.
• Track and report on KPIs related to productivity, quality, and waste reduction.
• Facilitate daily or weekly improvement huddles with frontline teams to gather feedback and promote engagement.
• Support rollout of new equipment or process changes by coordinating training and documentation.
• Ensure real-time updates and visibility of performance metrics to production leaders and team members.
• Assist in development and maintenance of skills matrix and job task analysis for cross-training.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement with recognition programs and improvement campaigns.
• Provide support for CI projects, including scheduling meetings and documenting outcomes.

Skills

Lean principles

Process documentation

Data analysis

Excel proficiency

Team motivation

Continuous improvement

Communication skills

Collaboration

Humble Hungry Smart

Education

Bachelor's degree (4-year)

Tools

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Clayton is a leading single-family, values-driven home builder dedicated to attainable housing, sustainable practices and creating a world-class experience for customers and team members. Our company portfolio includes a broad offering of attainable housing, and as a vertically integrated home builder, we are uniquely positioned to serve customers through every stage of the homeownership journey – building, selling, financing, and insuring homes. From entry-level to more experienced positions, we’re actively recruiting individuals who are passionate, positive, and eager to learn. We then equip you for success, whether you’re in the office, in the field, or on the floor. As a member of our team you’ll enjoy excellent benefits, opportunities for growth, and an encouraging culture that supports work / life balance.

Position Summary

The Continuous Improvement Specialist plays a key role in executing and sustaining continuous improvement initiatives on the production floor. This role is focused on tactical implementation of lean tools, process documentation, and team engagement. The specialist supports the Production Manager by collecting data, facilitating improvements, and ensuring that best practices are followed at the operational level.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Work on production floor reviewing tasks and looking for efficiencies.
• Conduct time studies, process mapping, and root cause analysis to identify inefficiencies in production workflows.
• Collaborate with production leaders to implement lean tools such as 5S, visual management, standard work, and kaizen events.
• Maintain and update process documentation, including SOPs and work instructions.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to productivity, quality, and waste reduction.
• Facilitate daily or weekly improvement huddles with frontline teams to gather feedback and promote engagement.
• Support the rollout of new equipment or process changes by coordinating training and documentation.
• Ensure real-time updates and visibility of performance metrics to production leaders and team members.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of the skills matrix and job task analysis to support cross-training and workforce flexibility.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by organizing recognition programs, suggestion systems, and improvement campaigns.
• Provide support for CI projects, including scheduling meetings, preparing reports, and documenting outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Experience with process development and controlled documentation
• Experience with lean principles and manufacturing systems
• Highly Proficient recording data and creating reports using Excel and other MS Office programs.
• Strong computer literacy and proficient with technology.
• Ability to independently identify process documentation gaps and remedy quickly.
• Ability to create various spreadsheets for data and documentation tracking.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain complex business processes
• Continuous willingness to learn, grow, and gain understanding as a leader in our organization
• Effective motivation skills and techniques to encourage team to meet performance objectives
• Cultivate an environment of trust
• Ideal Team Player attributes – Humble, Hungry, Smart
• Positive influence with others
• 4 Year Degree is highly desirable
• 1+ years’ prior Continuous Improvement experience

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Work may require stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, pushing, and / or pulling
• Must be able to communicate with others via phone, email, and in person.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information with others.
• Work environment is not temperature controlled and may result in exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Work primarily involves sitting / standing, up to 4 hours at a time.

Why Clayton?

Full-time team members have the flexibility to create their own health, dental, and vision benefits package. Clayton provides competitive 401K programs, including investment options and company matching for full and part time team members after one year to help our team members achieve their financial goals. Additional benefits include paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Programs, and more.

As part of Clayton’s commitment to Opening Doors to a Better Life, Clayton is now providing paid time for Team Members to volunteer to causes that are meaningful to them through the Clayton Impact program.

At Clayton, we encourage holistic wellness with physical, nutritional, social, financial, spiritual and occupational programs available online or in-person for team members.

Clayton is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Clayton is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

Business Unit - B00018

Clayton Manufacturing