Advanced CI Leadership Programme (LCS Level 2b)

About the event

• Accreditation: Lean Competency System (LCS) Levels 2a and 2b

• Format: Four Days face-to-face workshops, 12 hours of 1-to-1 coaching and a best-practice site visit

• Venue: Manufacturers Network Head Office, 1 Adbaston Road, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M32 0TP

• Times: 8:30am – 4:00pm each workshop day

• Price: £1,750 + VAT per delegate

Delivery dates

• Autumn 2026: 17 and 18 November; 8 and 9 December 2026

• Autumn 2027: 7 and 8 September; 19 and 20 October 2027

Can't wait until September 2027? Register your interest for additional cohorts or in-house options.

What's included

• All workshop days, materials, templates, guides and coaching tools

• 12 hours of 1-to-1 coaching with a senior Manufacturers Network practitioner

• A best-practice site visit with access to world-class leaders and operational teams

• Final project assessment and LCS certification

• Lunch and refreshments

About the programme

For experienced practitioners ready to lead transformation and embed a culture of continuous improvement.

The programme builds advanced capability in coaching, strategy deployment, facilitation and cultural transformation. Delegates apply the learning to a strategic improvement project, typically delivering £100,000+ in measurable savings or added value.

It is accredited by the Lean Competency System, the globally recognised framework created by the Lean Enterprise Research Centre at Cardiff University. LCS Level 2 covers the advanced Lean knowledge and leadership competencies needed for Lean management.

Who the programme is for

• CI Managers, Lean Leaders and OpEx professionals

• Senior supervisors, managers and operational leaders

• Practitioners responsible for driving site-wide improvement

• Organisations aiming to mature their CI capability and leadership culture

What the programme covers

1. Critical Thinking & Advanced Analysis

• Structured analytical approaches for complex problems

• Using data, evidence and diagnostic tools to guide decisions

• Framing strategic issues and understanding systemic causes

2. Coaching, Guiding & Mentoring

• The role and responsibilities of the Lean coach

• Coaching styles that strengthen accountability and ownership

• Building capability across teams and developing future CI leaders

3. Leadership Facilitation & Influence

• Facilitating cross-functional problem-solving sessions

• A3, 8D and DMAIC coaching approaches

• Influencing senior leaders and decision-makers

4. Associated Thinking (Agile, TPM, Flow)

• Integrating Lean with Agile mindsets and modern operational models

• Understanding TPM and equipment-based improvement

• Designing flow and stability across complex environments

5. Strategy Development & Policy Deployment

• Developing and aligning breakthrough objectives

• Applying Hoshin Kanri to cascade strategy

• Ensuring CI and strategic priorities move in the same direction

6. Change Leadership & Organisational Dynamics

• Leading behavioural change at scale

• Managing resistance and improving adoption

• Building momentum and enabling teams during transformation

7. Communication & High-Impact Facilitation

• Structuring clear, compelling CI messages

• Facilitating challenging discussions with confidence

• Adapting communication for leaders, teams and stakeholders

8. Lean Management Systems

• Leader Standard Work and visual management

• Daily, weekly and monthly accountability routines

• Creating conditions for sustained performance

9. CI Sustainability & Cultural Change

• Embedding behaviours at the Gemba

• Developing systems that reinforce the right habits

• Coaching leaders to model CI principles consistently

Project, deliverables and assessment

Workshop days are spaced to allow workplace application between sessions. Delegates produce:

• Project charter with clear benefits and justification

• Stakeholder map and engagement plan

• Implementation plan with cross-functional team involvement

• Evidence of communication, collaboration and facilitation skills

• Completed storyboard ahead of the final project presentation

Assessment is a final project presentation 6–12 months after training.

Expected outcomes

• Coach and lead others through complex improvement initiatives

• Facilitate advanced problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration

• Align CI work with strategic priorities and business objectives

• Influence leaders and support behavioural change

• Build, sustain and mature the organisation's CI culture

Benefits to your organisation

• Strong internal coaching capability

• Increased leadership alignment and strategic focus

• Sustainable CI routines and reduced dependency on external support

• Measurable financial and operational impact through live projects

• Accelerated cultural maturity and improved problem-solving discipline

Where next?

• Before: CI Practitioner Programme (LCS 1a–1c).

• For senior leaders: the Leading Organisational Excellence Masterclass and our Shingo programmes.

By booking you agree to our training booking terms.