JOHN EDWARDS
Jonesboro
Summary
Manufacturing and operations leader with over 25 years of experience driving operational excellence in food manufacturing. Achieved #2 ranking company-wide in Hatch of Fertile performance while implementing process changes that saved $75,000 annually. Recognized for enhancing productivity and quality through Lean initiatives and high-performing team development.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Hatchery Manager
PECO FOODS
Pocahontas
01.2015 - Current
- Directed day-to-day hatchery operations, ensuring maximum efficiency, biosecurity compliance, and animal welfare standards.
- Led company in Hatch of Fertile (HOF) performance, achieving #2 ranking company-wide in Chicks Per Man Hour (CPMH).
- Implemented strategic process changes that generated approximately $75,000 in recurring annual cost savings.
- Facilitated Daily Operational Review (DOR) meetings to manage KPIs for hatchability, labor, cost, and operational efficiency.
Production Team Leader
NESTLÉ PREPARED FOODS
Jonesboro
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Led high-volume production team of 40 full-time and 25 part-time employees, ensuring operational targets were met.
- Played a pivotal role in executing Continuous Operations on Line 1, successfully increasing Asset Intensity from 57% to 67%.
- Acted as a core LEAN team member; coached and trained plant workgroups on 5S, Standard Work, Kaizen, and structured problem-solving tools.
- Championed GSTD (Go See Think Do) initiatives for Business Unit, enhancing localized capability in root cause analysis and issue resolution.
- Delivered greater than $247,000 in YTD Lean operational savings.
- Utilized SAP workflows in production management and actively participated in formal DOR, WOR, and MOR cadences.
EPSU Team Leader
EPSU Team Leader
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Directed EPSU team, identifying and mitigating potential production and line issues proactively to maintain operational continuity.
- Ensured rigid alignment with corporate safety policies, plant quality procedures, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) across all team members.
- Partnered cross-functionally with Maintenance, QA, Engineering, Warehouse, and Planning departments to enhance plant flow and streamline processes.
Quality Assurance Technician
Quality Assurance Technician
08.2008 - 01.2009
- Monitored product quality parameters during manufacture, audited critical control points, ensured compliance with regulatory frameworks, and maintained product integrity.
- Coached production personnel on recipe procedures, audit preparation, sanitation/equipment inspection, NQS, SSOP, TQC, QMS, SPC, and HACCP techniques to enhance operational understanding.
- Integrated QA and Operations processes, enabling floor teams to perform effectively and contributing to overall plant profitability.
General Production Manager / Maintenance Supervisor / Production Supervisor
TYSON FOODS
Springdale, AR & Noel
08.1999 - 06.2007
- Progressed through manufacturing leadership roles, managing production schedules, assets, and personnel across multiple facilities.
- Managed floor KPIs to systematically reduce material waste, minimize equipment downtime, and improve product yields.
- Collaborated closely with USDA inspectors to enforce regulatory excellence, successfully improving plant performance ranking from #8 to #1.
- Supervised maintenance programs to enhance equipment reliability through preventive and corrective strategies.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR01-1999
Skills
- Operational Excellence: Daily, Weekly, & Monthly Operational Reviews (DOR, WOR, MOR), Operational Planning, Budgeting, & KPI Management
- Lean & Continuous Improvement: Waste Reduction, 5S, Standard Work, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis (GSTD), Workflow Optimization
- Workforce Leadership: Staff Leadership & Development, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Training & Coaching
- Regulatory & Quality Assurance: Quality Systems (NQS, QMS, SPC), USDA Compliance, HACCP, SSOP, & GMPs
Certification
Technical Certifications: HACCP Certified | Lean/Continuous Improvement Training | SAP Production & QA Workfl
Accomplishments
- Leadership Span: More than 25 years of manufacturing and operations leadership, directing high-performing organizations of up to 110 employees.
- Asset Optimization: Improved Asset Intensity from 57% to 67% through targeted continuous operational improvements.
- Financial Impact: Delivered over $247,000 in Lean savings and generated approximately $75,000 in additional annual cost savings.
- Performance Benchmarks: Achieved company-leading Hatch of Fertile (HOF) performance and a Top-2 Chicks Per Man Hour (CPMH) ranking.
Timeline
Hatchery Manager
PECO FOODS
01.2015 - Current
Production Team Leader
NESTLÉ PREPARED FOODS
01.2011 - 01.2015
EPSU Team Leader
EPSU Team Leader
01.2009 - 01.2011
Quality Assurance Technician
Quality Assurance Technician
08.2008 - 01.2009
General Production Manager / Maintenance Supervisor / Production Supervisor
TYSON FOODS
08.1999 - 06.2007
Bachelor of Science -
University of Arkansas