Green Card Operations Engineer Jobs
Operations Engineer roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process, where your employer documents that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position. Roles requiring process optimization, systems integration, or continuous improvement in manufacturing, logistics, or industrial settings routinely clear PERM audits and advance to I-140 approval.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout FreshDirect
FreshDirect is a leading online fresh food grocer dedicated to delivering the freshest, highest-quality groceries directly to customers' homes and businesses. Since our founding, we have transformed the grocery experience by combining best-in-class sourcing, state-of-the-art fulfillment operations, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Our purpose-built facility, advanced supply chain, and talented team enable us to deliver fresh produce, premium proteins, prepared foods, and everyday essentials with exceptional speed and accuracy. At FreshDirect, innovation, operational excellence, food safety, and continuous improvement are at the core of everything we do.
We are seeking an accomplished operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and is passionate about building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Position Summary
The Vice President of Plant Operations is a key member of the Operations Leadership Team and is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of FreshDirect's manufacturing, fulfillment, warehousing, shipping, and inventory operations. This executive will lead large, cross-functional teams while driving operational excellence across a complex, high-volume food production and distribution environment.
The VP of Plant Operations will oversee day-to-day operations while developing long-term strategies that improve productivity, quality, safety, service, and profitability. This role carries full operational accountability, including workforce planning, production performance, inventory management, capital planning, continuous improvement initiatives, financial performance, and operational scalability to support company growth.
Essential Functions
Strategic Planning & Operations Management
- Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all plant operations, including production, warehousing, fulfillment, shipping, inventory control, and sanitation.
- Oversee all operational staff and ensure efficient day-to-day execution across multiple departments.
- Develop and execute operational strategies that support FreshDirect's growth, customer service objectives, and long-term business goals.
- Monitor and evaluate operational processes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, increased efficiency, enhanced quality, and reduced costs.
- Drive plant-wide financial performance through full P&L ownership, including overhead management, labor optimization, productivity improvement, cost-per-order performance, and budget accountability.
- Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans.
- Establish and track key operational KPIs and performance metrics related to safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, customer service, and financial performance.
- Lead manufacturing excellence initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Ensure compliance with all FDA, USDA, OSHA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, and applicable regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of food safety and workplace safety.
- Direct strategic planning for manufacturing capacity, facility optimization, automation, and operational scalability.
- Lead capital improvement projects from concept through implementation while ensuring return on investment objectives are achieved.
- Ensure all manufacturing, warehousing, and fulfillment processes are effectively planned, executed, measured, and continuously improved.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and develop a high-performing Operations Leadership Team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Build a culture focused on safety, operational excellence, innovation, engagement, and customer satisfaction.
- Hold managers accountable for achieving departmental goals and operational performance metrics.
- Establish clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations.
- Develop succession planning and leadership development programs to strengthen organizational capability.
- Champion employee engagement initiatives that support retention and professional development.
- Promote effective communication across all levels of the organization through regular operational meetings and transparent leadership.
- Partner closely with Human Resources to support workforce planning, talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee relations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience overseeing manufacturing, distribution, warehouse, or fulfillment operations within a complex, high-volume environment, preferably within food manufacturing, grocery, or consumer packaged goods.
- Demonstrated experience leading large-scale operations with full P&L responsibility.
- Proven success driving operational transformation, productivity improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Extensive experience managing logistics, inventory flow, materials management, procurement planning, and supply chain operations.
- Strong experience leading high-growth organizations through operational scaling and process optimization.
- Extensive knowledge of high-volume pick, pack, production, and fulfillment environments where productivity, quality, and service metrics drive performance.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Executive-level understanding of manufacturing operations, warehouse management, distribution, logistics, inventory management, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and operational strategy.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing complex operational budgets and driving profitability.
- Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proven ability to lead complex organizational change initiatives and large cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, decision-making, and executive communication skills.
- Experience with ERP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and operational technology integrations.
- Ability to manage a 24/7 production and fulfillment operation while balancing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
- Strong track record of improving operational KPIs, productivity, quality, safety, and customer service.
- Hands-on executive leadership style with the ability to inspire, motivate, coach, and develop leaders at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to build accountability, foster innovation, and create a high-performance culture.
- Passion for developing future leaders through succession planning, mentorship, and career development.
FreshDirect is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
About FreshDirect
FreshDirect is a leading online fresh food grocer dedicated to delivering the freshest, highest-quality groceries directly to customers' homes and businesses. Since our founding, we have transformed the grocery experience by combining best-in-class sourcing, state-of-the-art fulfillment operations, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Our purpose-built facility, advanced supply chain, and talented team enable us to deliver fresh produce, premium proteins, prepared foods, and everyday essentials with exceptional speed and accuracy. At FreshDirect, innovation, operational excellence, food safety, and continuous improvement are at the core of everything we do.
We are seeking an accomplished operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and is passionate about building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Position Summary
The Vice President of Plant Operations is a key member of the Operations Leadership Team and is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of FreshDirect's manufacturing, fulfillment, warehousing, shipping, and inventory operations. This executive will lead large, cross-functional teams while driving operational excellence across a complex, high-volume food production and distribution environment.
The VP of Plant Operations will oversee day-to-day operations while developing long-term strategies that improve productivity, quality, safety, service, and profitability. This role carries full operational accountability, including workforce planning, production performance, inventory management, capital planning, continuous improvement initiatives, financial performance, and operational scalability to support company growth.
Essential Functions
Strategic Planning & Operations Management
- Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all plant operations, including production, warehousing, fulfillment, shipping, inventory control, and sanitation.
- Oversee all operational staff and ensure efficient day-to-day execution across multiple departments.
- Develop and execute operational strategies that support FreshDirect's growth, customer service objectives, and long-term business goals.
- Monitor and evaluate operational processes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, increased efficiency, enhanced quality, and reduced costs.
- Drive plant-wide financial performance through full P&L ownership, including overhead management, labor optimization, productivity improvement, cost-per-order performance, and budget accountability.
- Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans.
- Establish and track key operational KPIs and performance metrics related to safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, customer service, and financial performance.
- Lead manufacturing excellence initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Ensure compliance with all FDA, USDA, OSHA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, and applicable regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of food safety and workplace safety.
- Direct strategic planning for manufacturing capacity, facility optimization, automation, and operational scalability.
- Lead capital improvement projects from concept through implementation while ensuring return on investment objectives are achieved.
- Ensure all manufacturing, warehousing, and fulfillment processes are effectively planned, executed, measured, and continuously improved.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and develop a high-performing Operations Leadership Team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Build a culture focused on safety, operational excellence, innovation, engagement, and customer satisfaction.
- Hold managers accountable for achieving departmental goals and operational performance metrics.
- Establish clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations.
- Develop succession planning and leadership development programs to strengthen organizational capability.
- Champion employee engagement initiatives that support retention and professional development.
- Promote effective communication across all levels of the organization through regular operational meetings and transparent leadership.
- Partner closely with Human Resources to support workforce planning, talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee relations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience overseeing manufacturing, distribution, warehouse, or fulfillment operations within a complex, high-volume environment, preferably within food manufacturing, grocery, or consumer packaged goods.
- Demonstrated experience leading large-scale operations with full P&L responsibility.
- Proven success driving operational transformation, productivity improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Extensive experience managing logistics, inventory flow, materials management, procurement planning, and supply chain operations.
- Strong experience leading high-growth organizations through operational scaling and process optimization.
- Extensive knowledge of high-volume pick, pack, production, and fulfillment environments where productivity, quality, and service metrics drive performance.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Executive-level understanding of manufacturing operations, warehouse management, distribution, logistics, inventory management, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and operational strategy.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing complex operational budgets and driving profitability.
- Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proven ability to lead complex organizational change initiatives and large cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, decision-making, and executive communication skills.
- Experience with ERP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and operational technology integrations.
- Ability to manage a 24/7 production and fulfillment operation while balancing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
- Strong track record of improving operational KPIs, productivity, quality, safety, and customer service.
- Hands-on executive leadership style with the ability to inspire, motivate, coach, and develop leaders at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to build accountability, foster innovation, and create a high-performance culture.
- Passion for developing future leaders through succession planning, mentorship, and career development.
FreshDirect is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as an Operations Engineer
Align your credentials to PERM requirements
Before applying, confirm your degree field maps to the job duties your employer will list on the PERM application. A mismatch between your transcript and the posted requirements is one of the most common reasons DOL audits stall or deny Operations Engineer cases.
Target employers with active PERM filing history
Search the OFLC Wage Search database to identify companies that have filed PERM applications for Operations Engineer or similar titles in your region. Employers with recent filings already understand the process and are far less likely to abandon sponsorship mid-application.
Search for sponsoring roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters jobs by green card sponsorship history, so you can focus on Operations Engineer postings at companies that have already cleared PERM for similar roles rather than guessing at employer willingness during interviews.
Request EB-2 classification when your role warrants it
If your Operations Engineer position requires an advanced degree or specialized expertise in areas like lean manufacturing or Six Sigma at a senior level, ask your employer to file under EB-2 rather than EB-3. EB-2 priority dates are often current for many nationalities, which shortens your wait for a green card significantly.
Negotiate sponsorship commitment before accepting an offer
Get written confirmation in your offer letter that your employer will initiate PERM within a defined period after your start date. PERM recruitment advertising alone takes 60 to 90 days, and employers who delay the start push your entire green card timeline further out.
Understand how prevailing wage affects your offer
PERM requires your employer to pay the DOL-certified prevailing wage for your job title and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check the Level I through Level IV wage tiers for Operations Engineer in your metro area before negotiating your salary, so your offered compensation meets USCIS standards without renegotiation delays later.
Green Card Operations Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Operations Engineer role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Operations Engineer positions qualify under both categories depending on the employer's stated requirements. EB-3 applies when the role requires at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. EB-2 applies when the position requires an advanced degree or equivalent specialized expertise, such as graduate-level credentials in industrial engineering, systems engineering, or operations research. Your employer selects the category when drafting the PERM job description.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for an Operations Engineer?
H-1B visa is a temporary status requiring renewal every three years and subject to an annual lottery. Green card sponsorship through PERM and I-140 leads to permanent residency with no cap concerns at the EB-3 level for most nationalities. The tradeoff is time: PERM recruitment and DOL review alone can take six to twelve months before USCIS even receives the I-140 petition, but the outcome is permanent rather than temporary authorization.
What does the PERM process require from an Operations Engineer candidate?
Your employer conducts DOL-mandated recruitment steps to document that no qualified U.S. worker applied for the position. You'll need to provide your degree transcripts, credential evaluations if your degree is from outside the U.S., and evidence that your qualifications match the job description exactly as posted. Any discrepancy between your credentials and the PERM-listed requirements can trigger an audit that adds months to the process.
How can I find Operations Engineer jobs that offer green card sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically to surface jobs where employers have a documented history of green card sponsorship, so you can filter Operations Engineer postings by companies that have already cleared PERM for similar roles. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and raising the sponsorship question late in the interview process, when employer reluctance is harder to resolve.
Can my employer start the PERM process while I'm on H-1B or OPT?
Yes. PERM can be filed regardless of your current immigration status as long as your employer intends to employ you in the role permanently. Starting PERM while you're on H-1B is common and strategically useful because an approved I-140 petition locks in your priority date. If your priority date is current when the I-140 is approved, you can file for adjustment of status without waiting for your H-1B to expire. USCIS processes the I-140 independently of your current work authorization.