MIT-Leaders for Manufacturing

The Leaders for Manufacturing Program (LFM) is a two-year graduate program at the MIT Sloan School of Management. The program awards graduates both an MBA (or Master of Science in Management) and an Master of Science in engineering. The program focuses on concepts such as leadership, lean, championing change, system optimization and architecture and partnering with industry. The LFM program is self governed by the students through various committees (this is intended to develop each student's own learning track). The goal of the program is to produce world-class leaders.

History

MIT's Leaders for Manufacturing program was created in 1988 in response to the need for US companies to become more competitive. The program was started as a collaboration between MIT Sloan School of Management (Course 15), MIT School of Engineering , and eight industry partners, such as General Motors, Ford and DEC. The original vision of the program was "to discover and translate into teaching and practice, principles that produce world-class manufacturing and manufacturing leaders." [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3796/is_199804/ai_n8783456 Production and Operations Management] ]

LFM students, graduates, and partners research and implement principles of manufacturing excellence to drive global socio-economic prosperity. Research is through student internships and can lead to additional study by the MIT academic community. Additional topics the LFM program has grown to cover include globalization, supply chain optimization and improved system modeling from technology advancements. The number of industry partners has also grown to approximately 30.

Learning

The Leaders for Manufacturing Program (LFM) is a two-year program in which students earn two degrees: an MBA or a Master of Science from MIT Sloan School of Management and a Master of Science from the MIT School of Engineering.

LFM's curriculum is designed to teach students an appreciation for continuous, incremental improvement as well as for groundbreaking innovation –. LFM aims to give students a solid background in critical areas of manufacturing (including manufacturing processes), design and development, operations management, information technology, teamwork, leadership, change management, and systems thinking through class work, research, and opportunities to lead and learn by doing.

The LFM program provides opportunities for students to learn and practice leadership skills through various activities throughout the two year program. Two courses, one called The Universe Within and another course taken during the first summer, focus on continuous leadership, discovery, reflection, interaction, and development. LFMs meet and discuss critical manufacturing challenges with people from a wide variety of perspectives, including partner company executives, other LFM alumni and plant floor workers.

Students take the lead in managing the proseminars, plant treks, and committees focusing on marketing and admissions, internships, strategy & vision, and LFM alumni.

Operations Development Opportunities

Most LFM students pursue careers in manufacturing or operations companies (a portion of the graduates pursue careers in consulting, finance, and retail). LFM students can take advantage of recruiting opportunities through career development offices at MIT, LFM, and the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Recent LFM grads are working in positions such as:

Product Manager [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_manager]

Responsible for exploring new business opportunities as well as new product positioning, introduction and promotion. Interacts with sales, financial planning, marketing communications, engineering, technical marketing, and operations. Determines product mix based on market, profitability, and break-even analysis.

Operations Manager [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operations_manager]

Responsible for the development and implementation of activities in production areas to meet goals, quality and cost objectives. Prioritizes production schedules based on product introduction, equipment efficiency and material supply. Establishes operational objectives, delegates assignments to subordinate managers, and provides guidance to teams. Responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of manufacturing methods, processes and operations for new and existing products. Ensures the effective use of materials, equipment, and personnel in producing quality products at minimum costs.

Supply Chain Manager/Material Quality Manager [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_chain] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_management]

Manages the Supplier Rating System, ensuring that all supplier non-conformances are captured and validated. Manages coordination with program quality, engineering, program office, and procurement; all aspects of Supplier Corrective Action Process. Works with program teams on supplier quality processes and supplier quality. Leads the development, implementation, and continued review of product process verification strategy.

Partner Companies

MIT's Leaders for Manufacturing (LFM) program is an academic and research partnership among MIT's School of Engineering, MIT Sloan School of Management, and industry. LFM believes that an industry/academic partnership can have a tremendous influence on evolving the future of business, academia, and society, both locally and globally. LFM industry partners (see below) participate actively in LFM’s governance, admissions process, internships, faculty research, thesis development, and other initiatives.

LFM has over 25 partner companies which include Boeing, Amazon, Novartis, Cisco, Flextronics, American Axle, General Motors, and Raytheon. Recent additions to the partnership include Amgen, Spirit AeroSystems, Pepsi Bottling Co. and General Dynamics. [ [http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=14133&SectionID=3 IndustryWeek] ]

Students work with the partner companies through internships. These internships are considered unique to the program in that, in addition to helping students learn, the internships have a positive impact on the LFM companies. ." [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3796/is_199804/ai_n8783456 Production and Operations Management] ]

"List of LFM Partner Companies" [http://lfm.mit.edu/lfmpartners.html]

China Leaders for Manufacturing (CLFM)

The LFM program is developing a partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University on a China based program (CLFM). The program started fall of 2007 with their first class of students. Both programs look to future opportunities for idea sharing and research opportunities in America and China.

Notable Alumni

Randall Pinkett - Winner of the Apprentice

Pat Shanahan - Vice President and General Manager of Boeing's 787 Program [http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/execprofiles/shanahan.html]

Tim Copes - President of Boeing's Shared Services Division [http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/execprofiles/copes.html]

Jeff Wilke - Senior Vice President of North American Retail, Amazon.com [http://www.technologyreview.com/article/19543/] [http://commons.princeton.edu/ciee/2007/04/wilke-apr2007.html]

Todd Becker - Senior Vice President of Business Development & Technology, CBS Outernet [http://www.cbsouternet.com/company/bios.shtml]

Mike Dombrowski - VP, Real Estate & Planning, Johnson & Johnson [http://www.linkedin.com/pub/5/375/44B]

Wayne Firsty - Vice President of Engineering and Product Realization, Pro-Works [http://www.pro-works.com/Wayne%20Firsty.html]

Similar programs in North America

There are similar type of programs in North America like:
Master of Management and Manufacturing from Northwestern University;
Master in Manufacturing Management from McGill University; and
Master in Manufacturing Management from Penn State University

See also

http://www.mmm.northwestern.edu

http://www.mcgill.ca/mmm

http://www.smeal.psu.edu/qmm

External links

* [http://lfm.mit.edu/ LFM Website]

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