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
Sodexo is seeking a Food Operations Manager 1 to join our team at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, a 266-bed regional medical center known for delivering exceptional patient care across the Southern Tier of New York.
Support daily food service operations by leading frontline employees and ensuring an exceptional dining experience for patients, visitors, and staff. Ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
ABOUT THE JOB
Join a leadership role responsible for overseeing on-site food service operations and delivering exceptional service outcomes. This position drives operational performance, financial results, and client satisfaction through effective team leadership, safety oversight, and strategic execution.
Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.
PAY RANGE: $61710 per year - $79860 per year
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- Lead a high-performing team that directly impacts client satisfaction and daily experiences.
- Influence operational excellence through hands-on leadership and strategic planning.
- Manage high-volume dining operations with visibility across service, safety, and financial outcomes.
- Champion sustainability, culinary quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Partner closely with clients to strengthen relationships and deliver on contractual commitments.
- Gain professional growth through ownership of operations, people development, and long-term planning.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Experience leading, training, and developing on-site food service teams.
- Knowledge of HACCP standards, regulatory compliance, and high-volume dining environments.
- Hospitality-focused approach centered on service quality and customer experience.
- Experience planning and executing operational and strategic initiatives aligned with client goals.
- Creative mindset supporting culinary innovation, sustainability, and team engagement.
REQUIREMENTS
- Education Requirement: Associate degree or equivalent experience
- Management Experience: 2 - 3 years
- Related Experience: 2 - 3 years
WHAT WE OFFER
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHO WE ARE
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
INTRODUCTION
Sodexo is seeking a Food Operations Manager 1 to join our team at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, a 266-bed regional medical center known for delivering exceptional patient care across the Southern Tier of New York.
Support daily food service operations by leading frontline employees and ensuring an exceptional dining experience for patients, visitors, and staff. Ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
ABOUT THE JOB
Join a leadership role responsible for overseeing on-site food service operations and delivering exceptional service outcomes. This position drives operational performance, financial results, and client satisfaction through effective team leadership, safety oversight, and strategic execution.
Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.
PAY RANGE: $61710 per year - $79860 per year
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- Lead a high-performing team that directly impacts client satisfaction and daily experiences.
- Influence operational excellence through hands-on leadership and strategic planning.
- Manage high-volume dining operations with visibility across service, safety, and financial outcomes.
- Champion sustainability, culinary quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Partner closely with clients to strengthen relationships and deliver on contractual commitments.
- Gain professional growth through ownership of operations, people development, and long-term planning.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Experience leading, training, and developing on-site food service teams.
- Knowledge of HACCP standards, regulatory compliance, and high-volume dining environments.
- Hospitality-focused approach centered on service quality and customer experience.
- Experience planning and executing operational and strategic initiatives aligned with client goals.
- Creative mindset supporting culinary innovation, sustainability, and team engagement.
REQUIREMENTS
- Education Requirement: Associate degree or equivalent experience
- Management Experience: 2 - 3 years
- Related Experience: 2 - 3 years
WHAT WE OFFER
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHO WE ARE
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
See all 414+ OPT Food Service Manager Jobs
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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.