Process Improvement Engineer

Gulf States Toyota; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Friedkin Group seeks a Process Engineer to drive continuous improvement in Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) and Parts Distribution Centers (PDC). You will design, document, and optimize production processes, layouts, and standards, ensuring efficient operations and data-driven decision making.

The role requires 4–6 years of engineering experience, hands-on time study skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 4–6 years of experience in Industrial/Process Engineering or operations improvement.
• Experience delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, safety or cost.
• Hands-on with time studies, work measurement, labor standards, standard work, line balancing.

Responsibilities

• Implement continuous improvement and lean principles across VPC and/or PDC.
• Develop and document production processes, layouts, and work standards.
• Create and maintain job instructions and data charts for consistency.
• Lead cross-functional projects coordinating with Operations, Quality, and Engineering.
• Train associates in Lean tools and monitor progress on improvement initiatives.
• Stay updated on new technologies to enhance value stream development.

Skills

Industrial Engineering

Problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean principles

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

SAP

Job description

Living Our Values

All associates are guided by Our Values. Our Values are the unifying foundation of our companies. We strive to ensure that every decision we make and every action we take demonstrates Our Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates lasting benefits for all of our associates, shareholders, and the communities in which we live.

Living Our Values

All associates are guided by Our Values. Our Values are the unifying foundation of our companies. We strive to ensure that every decision we make and every action we take demonstrates Our Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates lasting benefits for all of our associates, shareholders, and the communities in which we live.

Why Join Us

• Career Growth: Advance your career with opportunities for leadership and personal development.
• Culture of Excellence: Be part of a supportive team that values your input and encourages innovation.
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that looks after both your professional and personal needs.

Total Rewards

Our Total Rewards package underscores our commitment to recognizing your contributions. We offer a competitive and fair compensation structure that includes base pay and performance-based rewards. Compensation is based on skill set, experience, qualifications, and job-related requirements. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, retirement plans, and generous paid leave. Discover more about what we offer by visiting our Benefits page.

A Day In The Life

The Process Engineer drives the implementation of continuous improvement and lean principles across Vehicle Processing Center (VPC )and/or Parts Distribution Centers (PDC). This role is responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining production processes while fostering collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety. The Process Engineer provides data-driven insights and recommendations to leadership, supports strategic decisions involving process redesigns, equipment, and tooling, and stays current on emerging technologies to help shape the site's long-term vision and value stream roadmap.

As a Process Engineer You Will

• Implement and sustain continuous improvement principles and lean methodologies throughout the VPC and/or PDC.
• Develop, document, and control production processes, facility layouts, vehicle flow, and process standards to ensure efficient operations.
• Design and maintain job instructions, accessory installation times, and standard data charts to support operational consistency and accuracy.
• Develop and implement strategic plans, process documentation, and work instructions aligned with production and quality objectives.
• Coordinate with cross-functional departments to ensure new accessories and process changes are compatible with high-volume manufacturing requirements.
• Conduct process analyses and present improvement opportunities, data insights, and recommendations to the Director of Operations and leadership team.
• Maintain open communication with line and staff members to monitor progress on key initiatives and promote engagement in process improvement.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and manufacturing trends to support innovation and long-term value stream development.
• Train VPC associates in continuous improvement tools, concepts, and practices to build a culture of operational excellence.
• Ensure compliance with company policies related to data privacy by responsibly receiving, transmitting, and handling consumer and customer data.

What We Need From You

• Bachelor's Degree Industrial Engineering or other Engineering disciplines from an accredited four-year college or university and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4-6 years relevant experience in Industrial Engineering, Process Engineering, or operational improvement, including hands‑on engineering analysis and implementation of process improvements.
• Demonstrated experience implementing process improvements with measurable results in productivity, quality, safety, or cost.
• Hands‑on experience with time studies, work measurement, labor standards, standard work, process design, line balancing, and workflow/layout optimization.
• Demonstrated experience applying structured problem‑solving methodologies to analyze data, identify and validate root causes, and implement effective countermeasures. Experience with tools such as A3, 8D, 5‑Why, Fishbone, PFMEA, or DMAIC.
• Ability to independently manage assigned engineering projects, coordinate cross‑functional activities, communicate progress and risks, and ensure implementation and follow‑through.
• Develop, optimize, document, and sustain VPC operational processes, including facility layouts, material and vehicle flow, standard data charts, and work instructions.
• Support strategic improvement initiatives through engineering analysis, process design, capacity modeling, and implementation of practical solutions.
• Collaborate effectively with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and other stakeholders to improve operational efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Coordinate new accessory launches and process changes to ensure compatibility with high‑volume vehicle processing and accessory installation.
• Implement continuous improvement principles and support training VPC associates on Lean concepts and practices.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies in vehicle processing, material handling, automation, and process improvement.
• Practical application of Lean methodologies, including Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 5S, waste elimination, and process standardization (preferred).
• Experience leading small to medium‑sized improvement projects and demonstrated potential for broader engineering and cross‑functional project leadership (preferred).
• SAP Applications experience (preferred).
• Valid in‑state driver's license (required).

Physical And Environmental Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the associate is required on a daily basis to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a stationary position for a significant amount of the work day and frequently access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The associate is regularly required to move about the office and around the corporate campus. The associate must frequently move up to 10 pounds and occasionally move up to 25 pounds.

Travel Requirements

10% Minimal travel is required for this position (up to 10% of the time and on a domestic basis).

Join Us

The Friedkin Group and its affiliates are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities, including providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail]. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.

We are seeking candidates legally authorized to work in the United States, without Sponsorship.