OPT Distribution Center Manager Jobs
Distribution Center Manager roles in logistics, e-commerce, and manufacturing regularly appear on OPT job listings, and many large employers sponsor H-1B visas for operations management talent. Your OPT period gives you up to 12 months of authorized work, with a 24-month STEM extension available if your degree qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are looking for an experienced Distribution Manager to lead the transportation, cross-docking distribution systems and procedures to ensure the efficient and economical delivery of product. Area of responsibility includes all phases of transportation: shipment planning and execution, order control, documentation, carrier selection, freight negotiation, transportation claims, distribution center / warehouse performance and other support functions. You will have the opportunity to play a key role in shaping and driving continuous improvement initiatives to redefine the culture and enhance the overall success of the distribution network!
Helping You Thrive By:
- Offering competitive wages and benefits, that support your life both in and out of work
- Creating continuous learning opportunities to help you grow and upskill.
- Fostering a culture of inclusion where employees feel seen, heard and valued — and living it out every day.
- Empowering you to make a meaningful impact on people and the planet through your work and Steelcase’s ongoing commitment.
The target starting base salary for this position is $98,000 - $110,000. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Steelcase considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
YOU’LL SUPPORT MEANINGFUL WORK BY:
- Establishing, maintaining distribution center goals, priorities, short and long-term performance objectives, quality, and budget responsibilities.
- Leading all aspects of people including staffing, safety, adherence to policy, rewards and recognition, succession planning, training, performance, security and overall culture.
- Establishing lean procedures that result in the maximization of sales through timely deliveries.
- Overseeing all activities within value stream and integrate people and equipment to meet schedules.
- Collaborating with the teams to maximize trailer utilization to keep transportation costs to a minimum.
- Driving employee performance; having a significant influence on employment decisions and ensuring all employees are properly trained for efficiency and safety.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 4-year degree or equivalent significant experience in relevant distribution environment
- 3+ years of leadership experience in a distribution environment
- Proven continuous improvement, quality systems and safety requirements experience
DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Supervising distribution facilities with at least 30 direct reports (3+ years preferred)
- Managing distribution in a cross-dock facility (2+ years preferred)
- Demonstrating strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Previous SAP experience
- Excelling in organization and time management under pressure
DOING BETTER FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET
Steelcase is a global design and thought leader in the world of work. Along with our expansive community of brands, we design and manufacture innovative furnishings and solutions to help people do their best work in the many places where work happens.
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO WORK WITH US
At Steelcase, we put people at the center of everything we do. We understand the role of work and believe that it can bring meaning and purpose to the lives of our customers and our employees. We prioritize supporting our employees both in and out of work, in all aspects of their lives. When we bring our talents together, we make a positive lasting impact through our work and communities.
Steelcase provides employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, genetic information, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or veteran status and bases all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. If we can make the application process easier through accommodation, please email us at myhr@steelcase.com.
INTRODUCTION
We are looking for an experienced Distribution Manager to lead the transportation, cross-docking distribution systems and procedures to ensure the efficient and economical delivery of product. Area of responsibility includes all phases of transportation: shipment planning and execution, order control, documentation, carrier selection, freight negotiation, transportation claims, distribution center / warehouse performance and other support functions. You will have the opportunity to play a key role in shaping and driving continuous improvement initiatives to redefine the culture and enhance the overall success of the distribution network!
Helping You Thrive By:
- Offering competitive wages and benefits, that support your life both in and out of work
- Creating continuous learning opportunities to help you grow and upskill.
- Fostering a culture of inclusion where employees feel seen, heard and valued — and living it out every day.
- Empowering you to make a meaningful impact on people and the planet through your work and Steelcase’s ongoing commitment.
The target starting base salary for this position is $98,000 - $110,000. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Steelcase considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
YOU’LL SUPPORT MEANINGFUL WORK BY:
- Establishing, maintaining distribution center goals, priorities, short and long-term performance objectives, quality, and budget responsibilities.
- Leading all aspects of people including staffing, safety, adherence to policy, rewards and recognition, succession planning, training, performance, security and overall culture.
- Establishing lean procedures that result in the maximization of sales through timely deliveries.
- Overseeing all activities within value stream and integrate people and equipment to meet schedules.
- Collaborating with the teams to maximize trailer utilization to keep transportation costs to a minimum.
- Driving employee performance; having a significant influence on employment decisions and ensuring all employees are properly trained for efficiency and safety.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 4-year degree or equivalent significant experience in relevant distribution environment
- 3+ years of leadership experience in a distribution environment
- Proven continuous improvement, quality systems and safety requirements experience
DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Supervising distribution facilities with at least 30 direct reports (3+ years preferred)
- Managing distribution in a cross-dock facility (2+ years preferred)
- Demonstrating strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Previous SAP experience
- Excelling in organization and time management under pressure
DOING BETTER FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET
Steelcase is a global design and thought leader in the world of work. Along with our expansive community of brands, we design and manufacture innovative furnishings and solutions to help people do their best work in the many places where work happens.
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO WORK WITH US
At Steelcase, we put people at the center of everything we do. We understand the role of work and believe that it can bring meaning and purpose to the lives of our customers and our employees. We prioritize supporting our employees both in and out of work, in all aspects of their lives. When we bring our talents together, we make a positive lasting impact through our work and communities.
Steelcase provides employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, genetic information, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or veteran status and bases all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. If we can make the application process easier through accommodation, please email us at myhr@steelcase.com.
See all OPT Distribution Center Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Distribution Center Manager
Target employers with established H-1B sponsorship history
Large retailers, third-party logistics providers, and e-commerce fulfillment companies file H-1B petitions for operations roles regularly. Focus your search on employers with a track record of sponsoring distribution and supply chain management positions.
Leverage your STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies
Industrial engineering, supply chain management, and operations research degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. That extension gives employers a longer runway to sponsor you, which meaningfully reduces their urgency around the H-1B timeline.
Frame your degree as directly tied to the operational role
Distribution Center Manager is a specialty occupation requiring a degree in a relevant field. Be prepared to show how your engineering, business, or supply chain degree connects specifically to warehouse operations, inventory systems, or logistics management functions.
Start the sponsorship conversation before your OPT expires
H-1B cap filings open in March for an October start date. If your OPT expires before October, ask your employer about cap-exempt options or whether they can support a status bridge. Starting this conversation 12 months out avoids avoidable gaps.
Highlight metrics-driven results in your application materials
Distribution Center Managers are evaluated on throughput, error rates, and labor efficiency. Quantifying your impact with specific performance improvements signals to sponsors that you bring measurable operational value worth the sponsorship investment.
Understand what the specialty occupation requirement means for your role
USCIS requires that the role normally requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Generic management experience alone may not be enough. Make sure the job description specifies a degree requirement, not just a preference, before pursuing sponsorship.
Distribution Center Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Distribution Center Managers?
Yes. Distribution Center Manager is a professional role that qualifies for OPT authorization when your degree is related to the position. Degrees in supply chain management, industrial engineering, operations management, or business administration are the most common qualifying fields. Your employer does not need to take any special steps to hire you during your OPT period.
Do Distribution Center Manager jobs typically lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Many do, particularly at large employers in e-commerce, retail, and third-party logistics. The role qualifies as a specialty occupation when the employer requires a specific bachelor's degree, which supports the H-1B petition. Sponsorship likelihood varies by employer size and hiring volume. You can browse Distribution Center Manager roles from sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate.
Does a supply chain or industrial engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension in this role?
Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, and Operations Research degrees are on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, so graduates in those fields are eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Business Administration and Management degrees are generally not STEM-designated. Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code with your DSO to confirm eligibility before applying.
What counts as a qualifying degree for a Distribution Center Manager H-1B petition?
USCIS requires that the position normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. For distribution and fulfillment operations roles, industrial engineering, supply chain management, logistics, or operations management degrees are the strongest fits. A general business degree may be accepted depending on the employer's job description, but the connection to the specific role must be clearly documented in the petition.
How much time do I realistically have to secure H-1B sponsorship on OPT?
Standard OPT gives you 12 months. If you have a STEM-eligible degree, the 24-month extension brings your total to 36 months. H-1B cap petitions are filed in March for an October 1 start date, so your timing depends on when your OPT began. Students who start OPT in the fall often have one H-1B cycle window; those who start in January or February may have two.