Industrial Engineering Group
CPD, professional recognition and sector engagement for lean, systems improvement, productivity, operations, quality and industrial practice.
About the Industrial Engineering Group
The Industrial Engineering Group supports IIESMS members working in industrial engineering, process improvement, operations management, lean practice, quality, supply chain, productivity and systems improvement.
The group reflects the Institute's industrial engineering heritage while supporting current practice in manufacturing, services, logistics, public services and operational improvement.
The group provides a professional home for CPD, committee involvement, peer discussion and practical knowledge sharing across systems, people, process and performance improvement.
Regulatory and Standards Framework
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 - Industrial engineers must ensure that process improvements and systems changes maintain or improve workplace safety standards
ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems - The international standard for quality management systems, widely adopted in Irish manufacturing and relevant to industrial engineering practice
ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety - The international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, integrating safety into operational management
EU Machinery Directive - Requirements for the design, manufacture, and use of machinery, relevant to industrial engineers working with production equipment
Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 - Environmental compliance requirements affecting industrial operations, waste management, and emissions control
The Industrial Engineering Group supports members in understanding and applying these requirements in their professional practice, ensuring that their work meets the standards expected by employers, regulators, and the public.
Key Focus Areas
The Industrial Engineering Group organises its activities around six core focus areas that reflect the breadth of professional practice in this discipline.
Process Optimisation
Applying lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies to optimise production processes, reduce waste, improve throughput, and enhance quality in manufacturing and service operations.
Operations Management
Designing and managing operational systems including production planning, scheduling, capacity management, and performance measurement to maximise efficiency and meet customer requirements.
Supply Chain and Logistics
Optimising supply chain networks, inventory management, distribution systems, and logistics operations to reduce costs, improve service levels, and build resilient supply chains.
Quality Management
Implementing and maintaining quality management systems under ISO 9001 and industry-specific standards, including statistical process control, root cause analysis, and quality improvement programmes.
Automation and Digital Transformation
Integrating automation, robotics, data analytics, and digital technologies into industrial operations to improve productivity, flexibility, and decision-making across manufacturing and service environments.
Lean Six Sigma
Leading Lean Six Sigma programmes from Yellow Belt through Master Black Belt, applying DMAIC methodology, value stream mapping, and statistical analysis to eliminate waste and reduce variation.
Sector Committee and Governance
The Industrial Engineering Group is chaired by Dr. Hans-Dieter Schinner, F.IIESMS, General Manager of International Industrial Consult GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Hans-Dieter holds a Dr rer pol (PhD) in Political Science and Economics from the Free University of Berlin (1984) and served as Chair of Industrial Engineering at the Namibia University of Science and Technology from 2010 to 2015. A Fellow of IISE (USA) since 2004 and Fellow of the World Academy of Productivity since 1994, he previously led REFA Association's international activities across 50 countries. His chairship provides the Institute with a direct line of international industrial engineering expertise, spanning productivity consulting, curriculum development and capacity building for SMEs and TVET institutions.
The group operates as an advisory body to the IIESMS National Council under Terms of Reference v1.0 and reports to Council through the Business Development Officer and Education and Membership Officer liaison. Voting membership is drawn from across the IIESMS grades with a working target of up to 16 members and a quorum of three. The group meets at least quarterly and produces standard annual outputs including the Annual Work Plan (G-AWP), Council Report (G-RPT) and Expression of Interest form (G-EOI). Decision authority on matters affecting the Institute rests with the National Council; the group's role is to inform, shape and execute the work plan it has been delegated.
Professional development and grade routes
Members working in industrial engineering may use the group to identify relevant CPD, maintain evidence of learning and connect professional experience to the IIESMS membership or certified grade route that best fits their evidence.
The industrial engineering certified grades are Industrial Engineer (IndEng.IIESMS) and Certified Industrial Engineer (CIndEng.IIESMS). Applicants should use the published membership criteria and provide evidence of completed qualifications, relevant experience, CPD and professional practice.
Lean and systems evidence
Lean Six Sigma, quality improvement, operations research, process redesign, productivity work, automation, supply chain improvement and systems analysis may all support CPD or grade evidence where they are relevant to the member's role.
Members should record CPD activity, project learning, outcomes and evidence, and should explain how the learning supports competence in industrial or systems practice.
How to Get Involved
Join the Industrial Engineering Group in four steps.
Join IIESMS
Apply for the membership grade that matches your completed qualifications and evidenced experience. Use Find Your Grade if you are unsure.
Select Your Sector
Indicate your interest in the Industrial Engineering Group during the application process or contact the Institute to be added to this sector group.
Attend Events
Participate in sector-specific events, webinars, and networking sessions organised by the Industrial Engineering Group throughout the year.
Contribute
Express interest in committee work, present at events, mentor early-career members, or contribute to policy submissions where relevant. Your expertise helps support professional standards across Ireland.
Explore Other Sector Groups
IIESMS members can engage with multiple sector groups. Discover related disciplines and expand your professional network.
Fire Safety Group
Fire risk assessment, fire detection and alarm systems, passive fire protection, emergency response planning, and fire safety management.
Safety & Health Group
Occupational health and safety, risk assessment, safety management systems, workplace safety legislation, and compliance.
Healthcare Group
Non-clinical safety in healthcare environments including fire safety, facilities management, and safety in hospitals and nursing homes.
Facilities Management Group
Building services, maintenance engineering, energy management, space planning, asset management, and facility operations.
Get involved
Join IIESMS, select the Industrial Engineering Group where it matches your work, and use the group to support relevant CPD, professional discussion and evidence for grade progression.
Related Pages and Articles
Useful next steps connected to this page.
Industrial Engineering Grades
Compare industrial engineering grade routes on the memberships page.
CPD Requirements
Use systems improvement, quality, lean and operations activity as relevant CPD evidence.
Industrial Engineering CPD
Read how systems improvement, quality, productivity and CPD support professional recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the IIESMS Industrial Engineering Group
Any IIESMS member working in or aspiring to work in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, operations management, lean manufacturing, quality management, or supply chain management can join the group.
IIESMS is the 79th Chapter of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE). Members can opt for a subsidised IISE subscription at EUR 80 per year, gaining access to international publications, conferences, and a global professional network.
Industrial Engineer (IndEng.IIESMS) requires NFQ Level 7 and 2 years of experience. Certified Industrial Engineer (CIndEng.IIESMS) requires NFQ Level 8 and 4 years of experience. Both are EUR 295 per year with 30 hours CPD.
Lean Six Sigma training or project evidence may support an application where it is relevant to the grade sought, but the grade decision is based on the published IIESMS criteria, completed qualifications, experience and evidence reviewed by the Membership Committee.
Yes. Manufacturing engineering, production management, process engineering, and quality management are all within the scope of the Industrial Engineering Group.
Yes, where digital technology is connected to industrial engineering or systems improvement practice. Relevant areas may include automation, data analysis, process visibility, quality improvement and operational performance.
Join the sector committee, present at group events, contribute to IIESMS submissions on industrial policy, or mentor early-career members. Contact the group chair or the Institute to get involved.
Relevant CPD may include Lean Six Sigma, quality management, process improvement, operations research, manufacturing technology, automation, supply chain, productivity, project learning, professional reading and committee contribution.