John Crowder

Facilities, Operations & Technical Solutions

I’ve spent over 16 years working in manufacturing and facilities, doing hands-on work that keeps operations running day to day. I don’t just design systems or oversee processes—I stay close to the work itself.

My experience includes maintaining production lines and mechanical systems, troubleshooting PLCs, organizing warehouses, operating equipment, handling materials, and loading trucks. I also design practical software and tracking tools where they genuinely help operations run more smoothly.

I handle documentation, compliance, and reporting as part of the job, but my focus is always on real outcomes: stable processes, clear accountability, and fewer surprises.

When problems come up, I step in, take ownership, and stay involved until things are working reliably again.

Professional Projects

• Facilities & Operations Improvements
  • Coordinated contractors and trades to complete maintenance and repair work efficiently
  • Performed hands-on facilities and warehouse work, including operating forklifts and loading trucks
  • Organized warehouse layout and material flow to support production and shipping
  • Conducted inventory counts and maintained accountability for materials, ingredients, and chemicals
  • Ensured inventory controls met SQF requirements for traceability and material accountability
  • Implemented tracking systems for inspections, preventive maintenance, and follow-ups
  • Reduced downtime by identifying operational bottlenecks and resolving them proactively
• Quality Assurance & Food Safety
  • Previously handled day-to-day Quality Assurance activities in a food processing environment
  • Currently oversee the work of a QA technician, providing guidance, review, and accountability
  • Trained in low-acid food processing and retort operations
  • Review retort cook charts, logs, and records to identify deviations and verify process compliance
  • Test product consistency and verify critical process controls
  • Ensure critical equipment is properly calibrated and maintained
  • Perform root cause analysis and complete corrective and preventative action reports as required
• SQF Program Development
  • Developed full food safety program including policies, SOPs, forms, and verification systems (CFIA, GFSI - SQF, HACCP)
  • Managed day-to-day compliance and audit readiness, performing hands-on work with production staff
  • Worked directly with auditors, inspectors, and contractors to maintain standards
• PLC & Automation
  • Troubleshot ladder logic for aseptic production line
  • Optimized automated processes and implemented software solutions
• Software & Operations Tools
  • Developed billing, invoicing, and warehouse inventory software solutions
  • Developed document control software; barcoded easy print forms
  • Integrated operations data from production, sensors, and PLCs for reporting and analysis

Hobbies & Applied Personal Projects

• Microcontroller & Sensor Projects
  • Design, wire, and program ESP32 and Arduino systems for environmental monitoring and data logging
  • Applied hobby projects at work, including:
    • Counting production items (cans) to track performance metrics
    • Logging truck scale data for production analysis
    • ESP32 system integrated with company database to trigger timed events using a 3-light notification device on the production floor
    • Different colored lights indicate critical control tasks, maintenance, or lab duties, improving workflow awareness

Example of live temperature data collected from a microcontroller-based sensor system and displayed via a custom web interface.

Live Data Example:

View additional project photos and examples →

Contact

If you’d like to connect or discuss potential opportunities, the easiest way to reach me is by email or LinkedIn.

Email

LinkedIn

Phone (by request)