OPT Change Manager Jobs
Change Manager jobs are open to F-1 OPT students with degrees in organizational development, business administration, or management. Most roles require demonstrated project leadership and stakeholder communication skills. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to contribute meaningfully to a transformation initiative, and STEM OPT extension may apply if your degree qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT THE JOB
At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Plant Change Manager based in Jacksonville, FL!
The Plant Change Manager (PCM) is responsible for leading and embedding structured quality, food safety, and operational changes that strengthen performance and protect consumers within a manufacturing environment. This role ensures that new or updated processes, systems, and ways of working are effectively designed, implemented, and sustained across the plant through strong change governance, cross‑functional coordination, and regulatory compliance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward. The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position:
- Lead and govern cross‑functional change initiatives to design, implement, and embed quality, food safety, and operational process changes into daily plant operations
- Plan and execute quality and food safety–related changes to processes, systems, and ways of working, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, Danone standards, and site‑specific quality frameworks
- Assess change impacts, risks, and site readiness, identifying mitigation actions to protect product and consumer safety and enable effective adoption
- Partner with cross‑functional stakeholders (Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Laboratories, and Suppliers) to ensure alignment, accountability, and smooth execution of change initiatives
- Drive implementation of control plans, testing strategies, acceptance criteria, and SPC methodologies supporting process and system changes
- Enable change readiness through structured communication, training, and capability building, ensuring understanding and adoption at all organizational levels
- Monitor adoption, effectiveness, and sustainability of changes using KPIs, analytics, and performance reviews, adjusting approaches as needed
- Support continuous improvement and transformation initiatives, including IWS pillar activities, standardization, digitalization, and quality system programs (e.g., CIP, deviations, nonconformances, complaint‑driven changes) with a consumer‑centric mindset
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- This role requires lifting up to 40 lbs.
- This role could include standing, observing processes in a manufacturing environment for extended periods of time.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moderate noise and temperature variations.
- Work schedules could include nights, weekends and/or holidays to provide the ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate.
ENGAGEMENT IN OUR INTEGRATED WORK SYSTEMS
Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE; Autonomous Maintenance; planned Maintenance; Focused Improvement; Education and Training; Environmental, Health and Safety; Quality; Organization; Supply Network; Early Equipment Management) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.
ABOUT YOU
The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we’re looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, or a related scientific discipline, required
- Minimum 3 plus years’ experience in a quality, food safety, or regulatory role (QA, QC, QS, RA) within food/beverage manufacturing or another regulated industry (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology), required
- At least 3 years of leadership or change‑driving experience, delivering measurable improvements within an integrated management system environment
- Hands‑on experience in a processing and manufacturing environment, with the ability to assess operational risks and impacts
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Strong working knowledge and practical application of Quality and Food Safety Management Systems (ISO standards, ISO/FSSC 22000, PRPs, HACCP, GMP)
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and training skills, enabling effective stakeholder engagement and capability building
- High level of digital and data fluency, with experience using analytics, dashboards, and systems such as Power BI, LIMS, and SAP
- Demonstrated ability to lead change in complex, regulated environments
- Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate
About us
Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free, STōK® Cold Brew Coffee®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®.
With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.
You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.
Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.
ABOUT THE JOB
At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Plant Change Manager based in Jacksonville, FL!
The Plant Change Manager (PCM) is responsible for leading and embedding structured quality, food safety, and operational changes that strengthen performance and protect consumers within a manufacturing environment. This role ensures that new or updated processes, systems, and ways of working are effectively designed, implemented, and sustained across the plant through strong change governance, cross‑functional coordination, and regulatory compliance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward. The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position:
- Lead and govern cross‑functional change initiatives to design, implement, and embed quality, food safety, and operational process changes into daily plant operations
- Plan and execute quality and food safety–related changes to processes, systems, and ways of working, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, Danone standards, and site‑specific quality frameworks
- Assess change impacts, risks, and site readiness, identifying mitigation actions to protect product and consumer safety and enable effective adoption
- Partner with cross‑functional stakeholders (Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Laboratories, and Suppliers) to ensure alignment, accountability, and smooth execution of change initiatives
- Drive implementation of control plans, testing strategies, acceptance criteria, and SPC methodologies supporting process and system changes
- Enable change readiness through structured communication, training, and capability building, ensuring understanding and adoption at all organizational levels
- Monitor adoption, effectiveness, and sustainability of changes using KPIs, analytics, and performance reviews, adjusting approaches as needed
- Support continuous improvement and transformation initiatives, including IWS pillar activities, standardization, digitalization, and quality system programs (e.g., CIP, deviations, nonconformances, complaint‑driven changes) with a consumer‑centric mindset
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- This role requires lifting up to 40 lbs.
- This role could include standing, observing processes in a manufacturing environment for extended periods of time.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moderate noise and temperature variations.
- Work schedules could include nights, weekends and/or holidays to provide the ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate.
ENGAGEMENT IN OUR INTEGRATED WORK SYSTEMS
Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE; Autonomous Maintenance; planned Maintenance; Focused Improvement; Education and Training; Environmental, Health and Safety; Quality; Organization; Supply Network; Early Equipment Management) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.
ABOUT YOU
The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we’re looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, or a related scientific discipline, required
- Minimum 3 plus years’ experience in a quality, food safety, or regulatory role (QA, QC, QS, RA) within food/beverage manufacturing or another regulated industry (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology), required
- At least 3 years of leadership or change‑driving experience, delivering measurable improvements within an integrated management system environment
- Hands‑on experience in a processing and manufacturing environment, with the ability to assess operational risks and impacts
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Strong working knowledge and practical application of Quality and Food Safety Management Systems (ISO standards, ISO/FSSC 22000, PRPs, HACCP, GMP)
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and training skills, enabling effective stakeholder engagement and capability building
- High level of digital and data fluency, with experience using analytics, dashboards, and systems such as Power BI, LIMS, and SAP
- Demonstrated ability to lead change in complex, regulated environments
- Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate
About us
Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free, STōK® Cold Brew Coffee®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®.
With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.
You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.
Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.
See all OPT Change Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Change Manager
Target organizations mid-transformation
Companies actively undergoing ERP implementations, mergers, or restructuring have the most urgent need for change management support. These employers are more likely to sponsor OPT students because the hiring timeline aligns with an active, funded initiative rather than a speculative role.
Quantify your change experience on your resume
Employers assess change managers on outcomes, not activities. Frame your experience around adoption rates, stakeholder groups managed, and timelines met. Concrete numbers make OPT sponsorship feel like a lower-risk decision for hiring managers evaluating international candidates.
Highlight Prosci or ADKAR familiarity
Many U.S. organizations standardize on Prosci's ADKAR model. Demonstrating fluency with this framework, even through coursework or self-study, signals readiness to contribute immediately and reduces the perceived cost of onboarding an OPT hire.
Focus outreach on large enterprises and consulting firms
Large organizations with dedicated change management offices and management consulting firms with transformation practices sponsor OPT students more consistently. They have established HR processes for work authorization and regularly hire internationally trained candidates into structured programs.
Address your OPT timeline proactively
In interviews, briefly explain your OPT authorization period and any STEM extension eligibility. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often assume it is more complicated than it is. A clear, confident explanation of your work authorization removes a common objection early in the process.
Connect your degree field to the role explicitly
Change Manager roles must relate to your degree for OPT eligibility. If your degree is in information systems, emphasize technology change projects. If it is in organizational behavior or business, lean into culture and people-side transformation. The connection needs to be visible to your employer.
Change Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Change Manager on F-1 OPT?
Yes, provided the role relates directly to your degree field. Change Manager positions typically qualify for students with degrees in business administration, organizational development, management information systems, or industrial-organizational psychology. Your DSO must authorize OPT before you begin work, and your employment must be at least 20 hours per week to count toward your OPT period.
Does a Change Manager role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your bachelor's or master's degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as management information systems or industrial engineering, and the Change Manager role involves sufficient technical or quantitative work, it may qualify. Roles that are primarily people and process focused without a technology component are harder to justify under a STEM extension. Confirm with your DSO before relying on this pathway.
How do I find Change Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards do not filter by visa sponsorship willingness, which wastes time on roles that will screen you out. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored candidates, so every listing you see is from an employer open to international work authorization. Browsing Change Manager roles there removes the guesswork around which employers will consider your situation.
What happens to my OPT status if my Change Manager contract ends early?
You have a 60-day grace period from the end of your employment to either find a new OPT-qualifying position, change your immigration status, or depart the United States. During the grace period you are not authorized to work. If you find a new role, your employer reports the change through your school's DSO and you can continue using your remaining OPT time.
Do Change Manager roles at consulting firms count as valid OPT employment?
Yes. Consulting firm placements are valid OPT employment as long as the work relates to your degree and you are working at least 20 hours per week. Client-site project work is acceptable. However, if the arrangement is through a staffing agency where you are placed with multiple unrelated employers, your DSO may scrutinize whether the relationship qualifies as a legitimate employer-employee arrangement for OPT purposes.