OPT Buyer Jobs
Buyer roles in procurement and supply chain are actively sponsored by large retailers, manufacturers, and logistics companies that rely on OPT students to fill specialized positions. Most Buyer jobs require a degree in supply chain, business, or a related field, and your 12-month OPT period is extendable to 36 months with a STEM-designated program.
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Get Access To All JobsWe are currently looking to add a Buyer Planner to our Supply Chain team in St. Cloud, MN. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the materials, supplies, and inventory needed to support our products are available when and where they’re needed. The Buyer Planner combines strategic planning, procurement, and supplier management to help maintain an uninterrupted flow of materials while balancing inventory levels, cost, and operational efficiency.
As a key partner to Manufacturing, Quality, Warehouse, Customer Service, and suppliers, you'll help drive production success while supporting continuous improvement across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, maintain, and monitor production schedules to support customer demand, manufacturing capacity, and delivery commitments.
- Analyze inventory levels, forecasts, and material requirements to ensure product availability while minimizing excess inventory.
- Purchase raw materials, production supplies, packaging, and shipping materials from approved suppliers.
- Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and delivery schedules, and proactively resolve supply issues that could impact production.
- Manage planning parameters, item master records, and material data within the ERP/MRP system to support accurate planning and purchasing decisions.
- Maintain purchasing, inventory, and supplier documentation in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to support production goals, inventory optimization, and operational efficiency.
- Analyze planning and purchasing data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
What We Are Looking For
Values & Mindset
- Demonstrates Microbiologics’ core values through collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to delivering results.
- Takes ownership of responsibilities and proactively identifies opportunities to improve processes and outcomes.
- Thrives in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift and adaptability is key.
Technical & Professional Skills
- Knowledge of production planning, purchasing, inventory control, MRP, and supply chain management principles.
- Ability to analyze demand, inventory levels, supplier performance, and purchasing requirements to support effective business decisions.
- Experience working with ERP/MRP systems and business software to manage planning and procurement activities.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy when managing inventory, purchasing transactions, and system data.
Collaboration & Communication
- Builds strong working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Communicates effectively across departments to coordinate planning, purchasing, and production activities.
- Works collaboratively to solve problems and support organizational goals.
Problem-Solving & Initiative
- Identifies supply chain risks and develops practical solutions to maintain material availability and production continuity.
- Uses data and reporting to drive informed decisions related to inventory optimization, cost control, and operational efficiency.
- Contributes to continuous improvement efforts that enhance planning effectiveness and procurement processes.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
- Three or more years of planning, buying, procurement, or supply chain experience preferred.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as NetSuite or similar business software preferred.
- APICS and/or Lean certification preferred.
About Microbiologics
Microbiologics is a global biotechnology company and trusted partner to healthcare and life science organizations worldwide. For more than 50 years, we have supported laboratories, manufacturers, and suppliers with high-quality biological control materials, assay services, and consulting.
Headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with additional facilities across the United States, we are known for our collaborative culture, commitment to quality, and continuous improvement mindset.
What We Offer
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:
- Medical and dental insurance
- Company-funded Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- 401(k) with company match
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development
- Bonus potential
- A collaborative, team-oriented culture focused on growth
LI-SW1
We are currently looking to add a Buyer Planner to our Supply Chain team in St. Cloud, MN. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the materials, supplies, and inventory needed to support our products are available when and where they’re needed. The Buyer Planner combines strategic planning, procurement, and supplier management to help maintain an uninterrupted flow of materials while balancing inventory levels, cost, and operational efficiency.
As a key partner to Manufacturing, Quality, Warehouse, Customer Service, and suppliers, you'll help drive production success while supporting continuous improvement across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, maintain, and monitor production schedules to support customer demand, manufacturing capacity, and delivery commitments.
- Analyze inventory levels, forecasts, and material requirements to ensure product availability while minimizing excess inventory.
- Purchase raw materials, production supplies, packaging, and shipping materials from approved suppliers.
- Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and delivery schedules, and proactively resolve supply issues that could impact production.
- Manage planning parameters, item master records, and material data within the ERP/MRP system to support accurate planning and purchasing decisions.
- Maintain purchasing, inventory, and supplier documentation in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to support production goals, inventory optimization, and operational efficiency.
- Analyze planning and purchasing data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
What We Are Looking For
Values & Mindset
- Demonstrates Microbiologics’ core values through collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to delivering results.
- Takes ownership of responsibilities and proactively identifies opportunities to improve processes and outcomes.
- Thrives in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift and adaptability is key.
Technical & Professional Skills
- Knowledge of production planning, purchasing, inventory control, MRP, and supply chain management principles.
- Ability to analyze demand, inventory levels, supplier performance, and purchasing requirements to support effective business decisions.
- Experience working with ERP/MRP systems and business software to manage planning and procurement activities.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy when managing inventory, purchasing transactions, and system data.
Collaboration & Communication
- Builds strong working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Communicates effectively across departments to coordinate planning, purchasing, and production activities.
- Works collaboratively to solve problems and support organizational goals.
Problem-Solving & Initiative
- Identifies supply chain risks and develops practical solutions to maintain material availability and production continuity.
- Uses data and reporting to drive informed decisions related to inventory optimization, cost control, and operational efficiency.
- Contributes to continuous improvement efforts that enhance planning effectiveness and procurement processes.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
- Three or more years of planning, buying, procurement, or supply chain experience preferred.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as NetSuite or similar business software preferred.
- APICS and/or Lean certification preferred.
About Microbiologics
Microbiologics is a global biotechnology company and trusted partner to healthcare and life science organizations worldwide. For more than 50 years, we have supported laboratories, manufacturers, and suppliers with high-quality biological control materials, assay services, and consulting.
Headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with additional facilities across the United States, we are known for our collaborative culture, commitment to quality, and continuous improvement mindset.
What We Offer
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:
- Medical and dental insurance
- Company-funded Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- 401(k) with company match
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development
- Bonus potential
- A collaborative, team-oriented culture focused on growth
LI-SW1
See all 537+ OPT Buyer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Buyer
Target companies with established procurement teams
Large retailers, manufacturers, and distributors file LCAs regularly and have HR infrastructure to support OPT students. Smaller companies often lack the processes to navigate work authorization, making the hiring timeline longer and less predictable.
Highlight supply chain coursework on your resume
Employers sponsoring Buyer roles want to see relevant academic grounding. Feature courses in procurement, inventory management, and demand forecasting prominently. This directly connects your F-1 degree to the specialty occupation standard required for future H-1B visa sponsorship.
Start your OPT job search 90 days before your program ends
You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before your program end date. Starting early gives you time to negotiate a start date that aligns with your EAD arrival, avoiding any gap between graduation and your first day.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before accepting an offer
Confirm the employer has sponsored H-1B visas before, ideally in procurement or supply chain roles. Checking OFLC disclosure data for prior LCA filings under your target job title is a reliable way to verify sponsorship history.
Leverage STEM OPT if your degree qualifies
Supply chain management and related business analytics programs at many universities carry STEM designation. A 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you significantly more time to secure H-1B sponsorship and reduces urgency pressure during salary negotiations.
Frame your international background as a procurement asset
Buyer roles increasingly require global sourcing knowledge. Your familiarity with international markets, cross-cultural negotiation, and import logistics is genuinely valuable. Position this directly when applying to companies with overseas suppliers or manufacturing partners.
Buyer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Buyer roles qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your F-1 program is classified under a STEM-designated CIP code, such as supply chain management, operations research, or business analytics, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension regardless of what your employer calls your role. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying.
How do I find Buyer jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers willing to sponsor OPT and visa candidates, so you are not wasting applications on companies that will not consider your work authorization. Search for Buyer and procurement titles on Migrate Mate to see active sponsoring employers in retail, manufacturing, and logistics.
Does working as a Buyer on OPT count as qualifying employment?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. A Buyer position tied to a supply chain, business, or economics degree satisfies OPT's employment requirement. Document the connection clearly in case your DSO or USCIS requests verification, particularly if you later apply for a STEM extension.
Can I work as a Buyer for multiple employers simultaneously on OPT?
Yes. OPT allows concurrent employment, meaning you can hold more than one Buyer or procurement role at the same time, provided each position is related to your degree. Both roles must meet the qualifying employment standard. Notify your DSO and ensure your SEVP portal record reflects all employers accurately.
What happens to my OPT if my Buyer role is eliminated or I am laid off?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance on standard OPT, which drops to 60 days during a STEM extension. A Buyer layoff does not immediately end your status, but the clock starts immediately. Update your DSO right away and begin a focused job search, using Migrate Mate to identify sponsoring employers quickly.