John Walker

Experience

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  Kansas State University

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2005

  Research Assistant

  Assisted in designing and conducting experiments to test rheological propertiesof egg replacers in foods. Wrote executive summary of results for fundingorganization.

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  Original Juan

  May 2005 - Aug 2005

  Intern

  Developed HACCP food safety plan for manufacturing plant. Wrote SOPs forquality lab activities. Developed microbiological sampling plan for finishedproducts.

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  Original Juan

  Jan 2006 - Aug 2007

  Tested quality attributes of finished products. Wrote and revised SOPs.Developed new products for in-house brands and worked with co-packcustomers to scale up their products for production. Maintained FDAcompliance. Purchased raw materials and packaging for over 100 in-house and co-packproducts. Maintained on-hand raw material inventory using proprietarydatabase application. Interacted with numerous suppliers and shippers toensure timely delivery of raw materials and payment of invoices.

  • Quality and Product Development Manager

    Sept 2006 - Aug 2007

  • Purchasing Manager

    Jan 2006 - Sept 2006
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  Salimetrics

  Mar 2008 - Apr 2010

  Quality Control Assistant

  Tested reagents and components of enzyme immunoassay products. Wroteand revised SOPs for QC processes and equipment. Maintained and calibratedlaboratory equipment including pipettes, automated reagent dispensers,thermometers and lab water system. Processed and analyzed data generatedby quality test using statistical software. Worked together with otherdepartments to maintain FDA and ISO compliance.

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  Tulkoff Food Products

  Apr 2010 - Sept 2012

  Conducted weekly GMP inspections of plant and employees. Maintained filingof scheduled processes for acidified foods. Provided technical guidanceregarding scientific basis of manufacturing processes. Assisted in interactingwith the FDA and local regulatory agencies during audits. Tested quality andsafety attributes of raw materials and finished products. Maintainedcalibration of laboratory instruments. Conducted root-cause investigations ofproduct quality issues and complaints. Evaluated potential suppliers based onfood safety and security practices. Show less

  • Quality Specialist

    Jun 2011 - Sept 2012

  • Quality Manager

    Apr 2010 - Jun 2011
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  TIC Gums

  Jan 2013 - Jul 2016

  Provide intellectual leadership for the organization by staying abreast of recent scientific findings in hydrocolloids. Develop and present ideas for novel hydrocolloid products. Design and conduct experiments to demonstrate feasibility of new products. Conduct on- and off-site plant trials to demonstrate manufacturing of new products. Interface with manufacturing, engineering and quality departments to coordinate new product hand-off. Provide Technical support as needed for the organization. Show less Operate and maintain a safe, efficient laboratory that tests functional properties of rawmaterials and finished products. Manage and train a staff of seven lab technicians. Understand and maintain lab equipment, purchase supplies and maintain service contracts. Create and revise standard operating procedures for lab tasks including test protocols and other quality activities. Work closely with other departments to respond to customer inquiries and complaints. With the QA coordinator, devise testing plans and design experiments to investigate failing products. Show less

  • Product Development Scientist

    Jul 2014 - Jul 2016

  • QA Supervisor

    Jan 2013 - Jun 2014
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  McCormick & Company

  Aug 2016 - Aug 2017

  North America Customer Quality Manager

  Worked with large grocery chain customers to resolve quality issues, set specification and maintain systems compliance. Provided guidance to manufacturing facilities to resolve consumer complaints. Provided information on defects to upper management and used statistical tools to examine complaint data for trends.

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  Real Food Farm

  Mar 2018 - Mar 2019

  Assistant Urban Farmer

  Americorps funded volunteer position to gain knowledge of urban farming and give back to the community. Assist with planting, weeding, harvesting and crop maintenance. Operate the mobile farmer’s market in underserved parts of the city. Help manage youth and adult volunteers. Participate in community outreach activities.

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  BLISS Meadows

  Mar 2019 - Dec 2019

  Farm Manager

  Manage start-up and operation of a small, urban non-profit farm in Baltimore City. Plan planting schedule, prepare ground, plant, weed and harvest. Operate farmer’s market stand. Donate produce to other non-profit organizations and the community. Work with other members to raise funds.

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  Curio Wellness

  Jun 2021 - now

  Quality Manager - Cultivation

  Quality lead for a 100,000 Sq Ft+ cGMP certified medical cannabis cultivation facility. Responsible for developing and maintaining quality system SOPs and documentation. Execution and management of microbiological testing and sampling by 3rd party laboratories. Ensure adherence to state regulations and 3rd party cGMP requirements. Audit facilities and equipment for compliance. Participate in facility leadership meetings and present findings. Provide supplemental training on compliance and quality. I have driven compliance and quality to multiple successful state regulatory inspections and have reduced regulatory errors through process improvement. Show less