OPT Food Service Manager Jobs
Food Service Manager jobs on OPT are available at restaurant groups, hotel chains, university dining programs, and contract food service companies. Your F-1 OPT authorization covers management roles, but employers must be comfortable with the 12-month standard OPT window, or 24 additional months if your degree is in a STEM-designated field.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Our mission is to make everyday eating extraordinary for our guests. We create a warm, welcoming, and memorable experience through exceptional, personal service. We’re looking for a leader who brings positive energy, strong character, and a commitment to excellence every day. We value teamwork, celebrate our shared success, and look forward to the impact you’ll make on our store, our team, and our community.
Our added benefits for joining The Fresh Market team
- Team Member discount up to 40%
- Early Earn Wage Access (You can access up to 50% (max $500) of your earned wages on-demand per pay period)
- 401K contribution and company match
- Financial Wellness Program
- Personal time off and additional time off purchase plans are available
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance for individual, spouse, partner, and family
- Discounts on pet insurance, daycare, event tickets, and many more.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Do you have a passion for production? Can you deliver a first-class experience for guests? As our Production Manager, you will take the lead in managing team members and the department's operational procedures and standards to provide the best products and the best complete meal solutions for our guests. Because you will be working with your team members and product continuously throughout the early morning, this is a fast-paced position that requires efficiency and effectiveness, and a passion for excellence to drive results. This role reports to the Store Operations Manager and embodies a culture of leadership, hospitality, excellence, and teamwork.
The pay range for this position is $22.08 - $27.60 per hour.
- Direct, manage, and assist all functions of the Production department and demonstrate excellence for your team and guests
- Managing the production for key items to support Deli-CMS, Meat-Seafood, Bakery, and Produce departments
- Properly receiving/stocking goods that follow rotation standards when replenishing product levels
- Manage product to reduce shrink/damage
- Direct teams to handle, cut, and prepare a variety of the department's meat, cheeses, bread, prepacked produce, and convenient meal solutions in the early morning while maintaining quality product levels as indicated within TFM standards.
- Provide team members through The Fresh Market Academy, including “on-the-job” and online training, to provide excellent guest service safely and securely while maintaining efficiency and minimizing product loss
- Led, engage, motivate, and manage team members to provide excellent guest service
- Provide coaching for team members to further their development and increase retention
- Create and manage team schedules, aligning production to support guest shopping hours to ensure guests receive a first-class experience
- Ensure department adherence to all safety requirements and protocols, including food safety per TFM policies and per law.
AVAILABILITY
To meet the needs of our stores, guests, and teams, this position requires the willingness to work a schedule of 3 am – 11 am with days off typically being Sunday and Wednesday of each week.
QUALIFICATIONS
At a minimum, what you’ll need:
- 1+ years of progressive management experience in supermarkets, retail, restaurants, hotels, or general business.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
- Proven ability to deliver an exceptional guest experience while achieving performance goals.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Basic proficiency with POS systems, scheduling tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Food safety certification, or ability to obtain post hire.
- Must be 21 years of age or older.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate’s degree in business, retail management, or related field; or equivalent experience.
- Experience in grocery, fresh food retail, hospitality or high-volume specialty retail environment
- Knowledge of inventory management systems and financial reporting.
- Bilingual skills a plus.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Fresh Market is a proud, equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Reasonable Accommodation: Consistent with applicable laws, The Fresh Market will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and team members, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to The Fresh Market. This guiding principle applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring and job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training. The statements in this job posting describe the general nature and level of work expected in this role but are not all-inclusive. The Fresh Market looks forward to talking with interested candidates to share additional details about the applicable responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
INTRODUCTION
Our mission is to make everyday eating extraordinary for our guests. We create a warm, welcoming, and memorable experience through exceptional, personal service. We’re looking for a leader who brings positive energy, strong character, and a commitment to excellence every day. We value teamwork, celebrate our shared success, and look forward to the impact you’ll make on our store, our team, and our community.
Our added benefits for joining The Fresh Market team
- Team Member discount up to 40%
- Early Earn Wage Access (You can access up to 50% (max $500) of your earned wages on-demand per pay period)
- 401K contribution and company match
- Financial Wellness Program
- Personal time off and additional time off purchase plans are available
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance for individual, spouse, partner, and family
- Discounts on pet insurance, daycare, event tickets, and many more.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Do you have a passion for production? Can you deliver a first-class experience for guests? As our Production Manager, you will take the lead in managing team members and the department's operational procedures and standards to provide the best products and the best complete meal solutions for our guests. Because you will be working with your team members and product continuously throughout the early morning, this is a fast-paced position that requires efficiency and effectiveness, and a passion for excellence to drive results. This role reports to the Store Operations Manager and embodies a culture of leadership, hospitality, excellence, and teamwork.
The pay range for this position is $22.08 - $27.60 per hour.
- Direct, manage, and assist all functions of the Production department and demonstrate excellence for your team and guests
- Managing the production for key items to support Deli-CMS, Meat-Seafood, Bakery, and Produce departments
- Properly receiving/stocking goods that follow rotation standards when replenishing product levels
- Manage product to reduce shrink/damage
- Direct teams to handle, cut, and prepare a variety of the department's meat, cheeses, bread, prepacked produce, and convenient meal solutions in the early morning while maintaining quality product levels as indicated within TFM standards.
- Provide team members through The Fresh Market Academy, including “on-the-job” and online training, to provide excellent guest service safely and securely while maintaining efficiency and minimizing product loss
- Led, engage, motivate, and manage team members to provide excellent guest service
- Provide coaching for team members to further their development and increase retention
- Create and manage team schedules, aligning production to support guest shopping hours to ensure guests receive a first-class experience
- Ensure department adherence to all safety requirements and protocols, including food safety per TFM policies and per law.
AVAILABILITY
To meet the needs of our stores, guests, and teams, this position requires the willingness to work a schedule of 3 am – 11 am with days off typically being Sunday and Wednesday of each week.
QUALIFICATIONS
At a minimum, what you’ll need:
- 1+ years of progressive management experience in supermarkets, retail, restaurants, hotels, or general business.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
- Proven ability to deliver an exceptional guest experience while achieving performance goals.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Basic proficiency with POS systems, scheduling tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Food safety certification, or ability to obtain post hire.
- Must be 21 years of age or older.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate’s degree in business, retail management, or related field; or equivalent experience.
- Experience in grocery, fresh food retail, hospitality or high-volume specialty retail environment
- Knowledge of inventory management systems and financial reporting.
- Bilingual skills a plus.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Fresh Market is a proud, equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Reasonable Accommodation: Consistent with applicable laws, The Fresh Market will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and team members, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to The Fresh Market. This guiding principle applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring and job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training. The statements in this job posting describe the general nature and level of work expected in this role but are not all-inclusive. The Fresh Market looks forward to talking with interested candidates to share additional details about the applicable responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Food Service Manager
Target multi-unit operators over independent restaurants
Large restaurant groups, hotel food and beverage departments, and contract dining companies like Aramark and Sodexo have HR infrastructure to handle OPT paperwork. Independent owners rarely do and often decline before learning what OPT requires.
Lead with your authorization status, not visa terminology
Tell recruiters you have existing U.S. work authorization valid for 12 months with no employer sponsorship required to start. Most hiring managers confuse OPT with H-1B visa sponsorship. Clarifying this upfront removes the most common objection.
Connect your degree field to the management function
Hospitality, food science, nutrition, or business degrees all support Food Service Manager roles. Be prepared to explain how your specific degree relates to operational decision-making, since employers may need to verify the connection for STEM OPT extensions.
Prioritize employers already familiar with international staff
Companies that regularly hire internationally educated workers understand work authorization timelines. Look for organizations with large international student intern programs or active DSO partnerships, as they process OPT documentation routinely and without friction.
Address the timeline directly in your cover letter
State your OPT end date and, if applicable, your STEM extension eligibility in your application. Employers want to know how long you can work before needing a visa change. Being transparent early builds confidence and prevents last-minute surprises.
Pursue roles with E-Verify enrolled employers from the start
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirming this before accepting an offer saves significant complications later. Many large food service operators are already enrolled, so it is worth asking during the interview process.
Food Service Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Food Service Manager on OPT?
Yes, Food Service Manager roles qualify for OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. Hospitality management, food science, nutrition, and business degrees all commonly support this role. Your DSO will verify the connection between your position and your field of study when you report employment.
Am I eligible for a STEM OPT extension as a Food Service Manager?
It depends on your degree. STEM OPT extensions apply to students whose degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. Degrees in food science, nutrition science, or certain business and management programs may qualify. Hospitality management degrees often do not. Check your specific CIP code with your DSO to confirm eligibility before accepting a role.
Where can I find Food Service Manager jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship compatibility, so you can browse Food Service Manager openings from employers who understand work authorization. Searching general job boards wastes time because most listings do not specify OPT acceptance and require you to ask manually on every application.
Do Food Service Manager employers need to sponsor me for OPT?
No. OPT work authorization is issued by USCIS through your school. The employer does not file any petition or pay any fees to hire you on OPT. You arrive with existing authorization. For STEM OPT extensions, the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a training plan, but this is not sponsorship in the H-1B sense.
What happens to my Food Service Manager job if my OPT expires before I secure an H-1B?
If your OPT expires without a visa extension or change of status, you must stop working. Options include applying for a cap-gap extension if an H-1B petition is filed before your OPT ends, transitioning to another visa category, or departing the U.S. Planning your timeline at least six months ahead gives you the best chance of avoiding a gap.