IOE Operational Excellence Training — 2nd Intake
A hands-on, applied program for manufacturing professionals building real Continuous Improvement capability — grounded in Lean Thinking and the Toyota Production System.
Not a seminar. A capability-building program.
The IOE Operational Excellence Training is a hands-on, applied learning program for manufacturing professionals who want to build real Continuous Improvement capability inside their organizations. Developed and coordinated by the Institute for Operational Excellence (IOE), Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), it provides a structured pathway to understand and apply Lean Thinking grounded in the Toyota Production System (TPS).
This is not a theory-based seminar — participants apply what they learn directly inside their workplace throughout the program. Thanks to support from the Nova Scotia Government, this intake is offered at a significantly more accessible price than comparable TPS-based programs for Nova Scotia residents.
Built for people on the floor and leading it
- Manufacturing supervisors and team leaders
- Engineers and technicians
- Continuous Improvement practitioners
- Production planners and quality staff
- Operators seeking to improve their area
- Organizations beginning or strengthening their Lean journey
No prior Lean certification is required.
Improvements that compound over time
- Increased process visibility
- Improved problem-solving capability
- Waste-reduction initiatives launched during the program
- Stronger daily management habits
- Foundation for a culture of Continuous Improvement
Small, structured improvements compound into measurable operational gains.
From understanding TPS to leading improvement
- Understand the philosophy and structure of the Toyota Production System
- Identify and eliminate waste (MUDA) in operational processes
- Conduct effective Gemba Walks
- Develop daily improvement habits
- Recognize and mitigate common implementation pitfalls
- Lead small-scale improvement initiatives with confidence
- Apply practical, workplace-ready tools
- Run a real CI project from start to showcase
Practical tools you’ll apply
Takt Time
Kanban
Poka-Yoke
Visual Management
Gemba Walks
Six core modules + a final project showcase
Foundations of TPS and Lean Thinking
Flow, Just-in-Time, and Internal Logistics
Seeing Waste: Gemba, Visual Management & Standard Work
Built-in Quality and Error-Proofing
People Development, Leadership & CI Culture
From Tools to Systems: Leading CI Implementation
CI Project Showcase & Peer Exchange
Each participant completes a practical CI project during the program and presents results in the final session.
Learn it Wednesday. Apply it on the floor.
Instructor-led learning
Real operational examples, structured exercises and simulations.
Templates & tools
Practical tools you can put to work immediately in your area.
Weekly application
Peer learning and instructor feedback as you apply each week.
Participants leave each session with practical actions they can implement immediately.
Theoretical clarity meets real-world implementation
David Fitzpatrick
Lean practitioner with over a decade of experience in Continuous Improvement education and application. David has collaborated on presentations and programs alongside Sensei Akinori Hyodo, former Toyota factory manager, bringing direct TPS insights to participants.
Peter Cox
With extensive experience working with Toyota and other organizations, Peter brings deep practical knowledge of TPS implementation, leadership development, and sustainable Operational Excellence systems.
Subsidized pricing for this intake
Supported by the Nova Scotia Government (Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration), this program is offered at a significantly more affordable price than comparable TPS-based training.
Lowest member rate.
CME member rate.
Standard registration rate.
Certificate of Completion
Participants who attend a minimum of 75% of sessions and successfully present their CI project receive a Certificate of Completion issued by CME’s Institute for Operational Excellence.
Registration is restricted to Nova Scotia residents. Spaces are limited to ensure interactive learning quality.
Hear from the instructors
Watch the Information Session to learn more about the program and hear David Fitzpatrick and Peter Cox answer questions about the upcoming training — moderated by Mitch Raymond, Vice President for Nova Scotia at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
Secure your place in the September 16 intake
Begin building practical Operational Excellence capability within your organization. Spaces are limited.