Patrick Allen

Patrick Allen developed his TPS expertise during 25 years at Toyota, including 19 years in Purchasing and 6 years in OMDD (Operations Management Development Division), the division responsible for TPS and continuous improvement development. Throughout his Toyota career, Pat was mentored in the Toyota Production System and applied lean principles across multiple functional areas, from supply chain management to plant operations. 

In his purchasing roles, Pat managed multiple sections and launched Toyota’s Supply Chain Risk Management function. He served as Risk Management lead during critical business disruptions including the 2008 financial crisis and the Japan earthquake and flood, coordinating business continuity planning across the supply chain. His responsibilities spanned procurement, project management, and supplier development, where he conducted supply base audits and supported supplier capability building. 

During his six years in OMDD, Pat managed multiple vehicle launch projects, supporting Toyota plants in achieving production targets while reducing costs through TPS methods. He coordinated TPS development activities at both Toyota plants and supplier facilities, helping teams eliminate waste, improve productivity, and reduce lead times. Pat is trained in Toyota’s A3 problem solving, practical problem solving, MIFC (Material Information Flow Chart), and SWKL (Standardized Work Kaizen Leader Training). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Kansas State University and previously worked at BetzDearborn and Cessna Aircraft.