OPT Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs
Manufacturing Operations Manager roles frequently qualify for OPT work authorization because they require a specialized degree in industrial engineering, supply chain management, or a related field. With a 12-month OPT window and STEM extension eligibility for qualifying degrees, this role gives you meaningful runway to build your U.S. career in operations leadership.
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Get Access To All JobsLead daily plant execution with a safety-first mindset
Imagine starting your shift with a quick huddle, scanning production data, and walking the line to check critical quality parameters. You coach a mechanic through a troubleshooting step, confirm GMP compliance, and sync with Quality and Logistics to keep product flowing. As the Manufacturing Operations Cell Supervisor, you orchestrate safety, quality, and output—every hour, every run—while building a high-performing crew.
What you’ll own
- Be the on-floor champion for safety, actively engage in the Safety Committee, and maintain a safe environment for people and equipment.
- Partner with the Process Technical Manager, Quality Manager, Logistics, and other leaders to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement.
- Continuously monitor visual and dimensional quality, review production data, and collaborate with Quality to ensure feedback is acted on in real time.
- Plan and assign work to run lines safely at target speeds and efficiencies; report production, HFI, downtime, and MRO with precision.
- Direct and develop the crew: scheduling, attendance, policy administration, documentation, assessment, training, mentoring, and discipline.
- Lead Lean Six Sigma initiatives and model Ardagh Core Values; embed 5S, TPM, SMED, and 8D thinking to remove waste and lower costs.
- Perform CVP (quality system) surveillance checks and oversee critical process parameters to meet stringent standards, including Food Safety, GMPs, and HAACP Principle/Food Safety Standard and Application.
- Troubleshoot mechanical issues, organize PMs and repairs, coordinate overhauls, and support new equipment installations.
- Provide break relief for Mechanical Team Members or other roles as needed and uphold housekeeping schedules and audits.
- Other responsibilities as assigned to meet production goals.
Who you’ll lead
Direct Reports: Production and Operation Team Members
What you bring
- Proven ability to lead, coach, mentor, and facilitate cross-functional, self-directed teams with exceptional communication and training skills.
- Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude; confident diagnosing equipment issues.
- Demonstrated commitment to a safe, cohesive, high-energy culture and positive people leadership.
- Experience with lean manufacturing; systems and continuous improvement orientation with data-driven decision-making.
- Comfort interacting with all levels—from technicians to customers—and motivating others toward shared goals.
- Availability to work all schedules: 12-hour shifts, days and off-shifts, weekends, and holidays.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, behaviors and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education & Experience
- Associate Degree in a related field or five years as a manufacturing lead/supervisor (including screening, reviews, counseling, training, and development).
- Track record of measuring performance to goals/standards and managing skilled technicians in a team environment.
Preferred
- Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
- Seven or more years of mechanical/electrical experience in manufacturing; metal manufacturing background a plus.
- Kaizen / Lean Six Sigma exposure and results.
Technology
Proficient computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Applications).
Schedule & hours
Average hours per week: 40 or 36/48 alternating. Usual shift worked is: 8 or 12 hours.
Physical demands
Expect regular standing and walking; frequent reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching/crawling, and work in confined spaces. You’ll occasionally lift/move up to 75 lbs and frequently lift 1–50 lbs. No continual lifting. Close and distance vision with color recognition and solid hand/eye coordination are required.
- Stand: 40%
- Sit: 5%
- Walk: 30%
- Lift: 5%
- Twist: 5%
- Squat: 1%
- Crawl: 1%
- Climb: 2%
- Bend (90–180 degrees): 5%
- Reach above shoulders: 2%
- Work at heights: 1%
Occasionally 1–33%, frequently 34–66%, and Continuously 67–100% of the time. This position requires ability to lift: Up to 15 lbs …….. Frequently; 16–30 lbs…………. Occasionally; 31–50 lbs…………. Occasionally; 51–75 lbs…………. Occasionally; 76–100 lbs……….. Occasionally; Over 100 lbs ……. Not required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work environment
Very loud environment; hearing protection and all assigned PPE are required. Temperatures can range from extreme cold to high heat (95 degrees). The atmosphere may contain fumes, dust, and odors.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Special hazards
Mechanical and electrical risks from machinery; daily work with chemicals that are toxic and explosive.
Compensation
Salary Range: $82,000 - $103,000 (good-faith estimate based on the expected scope of the role and internal equity considerations).
Lead daily plant execution with a safety-first mindset
Imagine starting your shift with a quick huddle, scanning production data, and walking the line to check critical quality parameters. You coach a mechanic through a troubleshooting step, confirm GMP compliance, and sync with Quality and Logistics to keep product flowing. As the Manufacturing Operations Cell Supervisor, you orchestrate safety, quality, and output—every hour, every run—while building a high-performing crew.
What you’ll own
- Be the on-floor champion for safety, actively engage in the Safety Committee, and maintain a safe environment for people and equipment.
- Partner with the Process Technical Manager, Quality Manager, Logistics, and other leaders to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement.
- Continuously monitor visual and dimensional quality, review production data, and collaborate with Quality to ensure feedback is acted on in real time.
- Plan and assign work to run lines safely at target speeds and efficiencies; report production, HFI, downtime, and MRO with precision.
- Direct and develop the crew: scheduling, attendance, policy administration, documentation, assessment, training, mentoring, and discipline.
- Lead Lean Six Sigma initiatives and model Ardagh Core Values; embed 5S, TPM, SMED, and 8D thinking to remove waste and lower costs.
- Perform CVP (quality system) surveillance checks and oversee critical process parameters to meet stringent standards, including Food Safety, GMPs, and HAACP Principle/Food Safety Standard and Application.
- Troubleshoot mechanical issues, organize PMs and repairs, coordinate overhauls, and support new equipment installations.
- Provide break relief for Mechanical Team Members or other roles as needed and uphold housekeeping schedules and audits.
- Other responsibilities as assigned to meet production goals.
Who you’ll lead
Direct Reports: Production and Operation Team Members
What you bring
- Proven ability to lead, coach, mentor, and facilitate cross-functional, self-directed teams with exceptional communication and training skills.
- Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude; confident diagnosing equipment issues.
- Demonstrated commitment to a safe, cohesive, high-energy culture and positive people leadership.
- Experience with lean manufacturing; systems and continuous improvement orientation with data-driven decision-making.
- Comfort interacting with all levels—from technicians to customers—and motivating others toward shared goals.
- Availability to work all schedules: 12-hour shifts, days and off-shifts, weekends, and holidays.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, behaviors and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education & Experience
- Associate Degree in a related field or five years as a manufacturing lead/supervisor (including screening, reviews, counseling, training, and development).
- Track record of measuring performance to goals/standards and managing skilled technicians in a team environment.
Preferred
- Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
- Seven or more years of mechanical/electrical experience in manufacturing; metal manufacturing background a plus.
- Kaizen / Lean Six Sigma exposure and results.
Technology
Proficient computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Applications).
Schedule & hours
Average hours per week: 40 or 36/48 alternating. Usual shift worked is: 8 or 12 hours.
Physical demands
Expect regular standing and walking; frequent reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching/crawling, and work in confined spaces. You’ll occasionally lift/move up to 75 lbs and frequently lift 1–50 lbs. No continual lifting. Close and distance vision with color recognition and solid hand/eye coordination are required.
- Stand: 40%
- Sit: 5%
- Walk: 30%
- Lift: 5%
- Twist: 5%
- Squat: 1%
- Crawl: 1%
- Climb: 2%
- Bend (90–180 degrees): 5%
- Reach above shoulders: 2%
- Work at heights: 1%
Occasionally 1–33%, frequently 34–66%, and Continuously 67–100% of the time. This position requires ability to lift: Up to 15 lbs …….. Frequently; 16–30 lbs…………. Occasionally; 31–50 lbs…………. Occasionally; 51–75 lbs…………. Occasionally; 76–100 lbs……….. Occasionally; Over 100 lbs ……. Not required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work environment
Very loud environment; hearing protection and all assigned PPE are required. Temperatures can range from extreme cold to high heat (95 degrees). The atmosphere may contain fumes, dust, and odors.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Special hazards
Mechanical and electrical risks from machinery; daily work with chemicals that are toxic and explosive.
Compensation
Salary Range: $82,000 - $103,000 (good-faith estimate based on the expected scope of the role and internal equity considerations).
See all 100+ OPT Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Manufacturing Operations Manager
Target manufacturers with established HR infrastructure
Large manufacturers like automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods companies have dedicated HR teams experienced with OPT authorization. Smaller shops often lack the processes to handle work authorization documentation, making them riskier placements for your OPT timeline.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, and supply chain degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Confirming your degree's CIP code with your DSO before interviews lets you present employers with a realistic three-year authorization window, not just 12 months.
Quantify your process improvement results
Operations managers are hired for measurable outcomes. Frame your experience around metrics like throughput increases, defect rate reductions, or cost savings from lean initiatives. Concrete numbers make your candidacy stronger and shift the employer's focus from visa logistics to your value.
Understand the E-Verify requirement before accepting offers
OPT STEM extension employers must be enrolled in E-Verify. Ask HR whether the company is enrolled before you reach the offer stage. Discovering a mismatch after accepting an offer can delay your start date and compress your usable authorization window significantly.
Lean into internship and co-op operations experience
Manufacturing employers weigh hands-on floor experience heavily for operations roles. Any prior CPT or OPT internship in a production environment, even in a junior capacity, signals practical readiness. Highlight specific equipment, ERP systems, or methodologies like Six Sigma or Kaizen you worked with directly.
Get your training plan documentation ready before interviews
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan signed by a supervisor. Proactively preparing a draft plan aligned to operations management competencies signals professionalism. It also reassures employers unfamiliar with STEM OPT that the compliance burden is straightforward and well-defined.
Manufacturing Operations Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Manufacturing Operations Manager role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you hold a degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, systems engineering, or supply chain management that appears on the STEM designated degree program list, you likely qualify for the 24-month extension. Confirm your CIP code with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility, since the degree determines qualification, not the role itself.
Do manufacturing companies typically sponsor OPT students for this role?
Sponsorship willingness varies significantly by company size and industry segment. Large manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, semiconductors, and medical devices regularly hire OPT students because they have established immigration processes and strong demand for operations talent. Smaller contract manufacturers and job shops are less predictable. Migrate Mate filters job listings by sponsorship willingness, so you can identify receptive employers without cold-applying to companies that will decline upfront.
Can I work as a Manufacturing Operations Manager on OPT if my degree is in business administration?
A general business administration degree can support OPT authorization for this role if your university's DSO agrees the position is directly related to your field of study. However, a general business degree does not qualify for the STEM OPT extension, which limits you to 12 months of authorization. Employers hiring for a longer-term fit may prefer candidates with engineering or supply chain degrees that open the STEM extension pathway.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I get laid off from a manufacturing operations role?
OPT students have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance during the standard 12-month period, which extends to 150 days if you're on a STEM extension. If you lose your position, report the change to your DSO immediately and begin your job search right away. Manufacturing operations is a competitive field, and staying within your allowance window is critical to maintaining valid status while you secure your next role.
What does the STEM OPT training plan look like for a Manufacturing Operations Manager?
The training plan, completed on Form I-983, must describe how the role relates to your STEM degree and outline the learning goals and supervision structure. For an operations manager, this typically covers competencies like production planning, quality systems, lean methodology, and cross-functional team leadership. Your employer's HR or legal team usually leads the filing, but you should be familiar with the requirements so you can guide conversations with employers who haven't handled STEM OPT before.