OPT Operations Excellence Manager Jobs
Operations Excellence Manager roles on OPT are available at manufacturers, healthcare systems, and logistics firms that regularly sponsor F-1 workers. Your 12-month standard OPT window is extendable to 36 months with a STEM OPT extension if your degree is in industrial engineering, supply chain, or a related STEM field.
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General Overview
The Business Unit Operations Excellence Manager has a pivotal role within the BU, reporting to the BU OpEx Director. This position is responsible for supporting two RDOs on all programs, for the coaching and development of the District Managers and for building succession. Each BU will have at least three OpEx Managers.
This role will focus on providing operational leadership in the implementation of new programs, communications, training, P&L reporting and budget management. The OpEx Manager is a generalist, should have strong convenience retail acumen and is expected to be well versed in all NA and BU OpEx initiatives. The BU OpEx Manager will spend at least three days per week in stores with a focus on keeping things easy for our store personnel and winning the customer.
Essential Functions
- Supports RDOs in the coaching, training and development of the DMs
- Reviews periodic reporting and works with RDOs and DMs on the BU OPS KPIs performance to close gaps and improve performance
- Leads operations programs and ensures BU compliance (EZ Visit, store audits, Closed Loop, etc.)
- Leads implementation and training of new operations programs
- Supports RDOs and DMs for NTIs, R&Rs, and acquisitions integration
- Acts as the BU communications gatekeeper
- Reviews shrink results and actions on shrink action plans with DMs
- Ensures Quorso/EasyOps missions are actioned, and engagement level is maintained
- Reviews audits results and works with RDOs and DMs for coaching and store improvement
- Store supplies & waste management POC with reporting oversight to coach and work within budgets
- Provides analysis of store P&Ls
- Other admin, reporting, and CK360 updates
- Store visits 3 days/week
Core Competencies
- Leadership
- Team player
- Self-directed
- Self-motivated
- Coaching & mentoring
- Training
- Communication skills
- Flexibility & ability to pivot
- Change management
- Problem solving
- Operations & marketing knowledge
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in business, or related field preferred. Other combinations of job-related experience and education that meet the requirements may be substituted
- Three to five years of retail business experience in multi-site leadership or more are preferred; including minimum of two years of management responsibility
- Ability to present in meetings and conduct training
- Ability to mentor District Managers and support RDOs
- Ability to supervise and manage the functions related to employees on roll-out teams
- Expertise with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Power Point and Word preferred
- Ability to travel, to include overnight
- A current valid driver’s license is required to operate a company vehicle
- Ability to speak and write in the English language
- Bilingualism (French and English), both written and oral, is essential if located in the Eastern Canada Business Unit
Physical Requirements (US only)
The physical requirements described below are examples of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be considered that might assist those individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks and duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit (possibly for long periods of a time), talk and/or hear. Ability to operate a keyboard and/or a computer mouse is required. The employee frequently is required to use his/her hands to handle or grasp items of varying weight. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with both hands and arms.
Work Environment
This role is full-time and based in the Business Unit office, with the expectation of visiting stores 2-3 days per week. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at a normal range. The lighting will include natural light from the outside as well as fluorescent lighting throughout the work areas.
THE ABOVE STATEMENTS REFLECT THE GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS / DUTIES AND /OR RESPONSIBILITIES NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY THE JOB AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY INTENDED TO SET FORTH ALL OF THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB.
NOTE: This Job Description may change periodically as required by business necessity, with or without advance notice to employees.
Circle K is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) and all state and local disability laws. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the ADA and certain state or local laws as long as it does not impose an undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company’s Human Resources Representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.
Click below to review information about our company's use of the federal E-Verify program to check work eligibility:
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Operations Excellence Manager
Lead with quantified process improvements
Hiring managers in operations want evidence you can move metrics. Frame your resume around specific outcomes: cycle time reduced, defect rates lowered, throughput increased. Numbers signal readiness for a role that's fundamentally about measurable performance gains.
Target STEM OPT-eligible degree paths
Industrial engineering, systems engineering, and operations research degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This triples your authorized work period before H-1B visa sponsorship is needed, making you significantly more attractive to employers weighing visa timeline risk.
Prioritize employers with Lean or Six Sigma programs
Companies running formal continuous improvement programs hire operations managers at volume and are familiar with sponsoring international talent. Look for organizations with dedicated operational excellence departments, as they hire repeatedly and understand the sponsorship process well.
Earn a Lean Six Sigma certification before applying
A Green Belt or Black Belt certification removes doubt about your methodology knowledge. Employers sponsoring OPT workers want candidates who hit the ground running. Certification demonstrates fluency in DMAIC, value stream mapping, and statistical process control without requiring extensive onboarding.
Disclose your OPT status early and frame it positively
Raise your authorization timeline in the first recruiter call, not after an offer. Explain that STEM OPT gives the employer 36 months before H-1B filing is required. Proactive transparency builds trust and filters out employers who won't sponsor before you invest time.
Build relationships inside operations-heavy industries
Manufacturing, healthcare, and supply chain are the highest-volume sectors for this role and are experienced with work visa sponsorship. Connecting with operations directors and continuous improvement leads at these companies significantly increases your chances of finding a sponsor.
Operations Excellence Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Operations Excellence Manager roles commonly sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Yes, particularly at mid-to-large employers in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. These industries hire operations managers at scale and are familiar with sponsoring F-1 OPT workers through to H-1B. Smaller companies with no prior sponsorship history are less reliable. Migrate Mate filters specifically for employers willing to sponsor, so you can focus your search there rather than applying broadly.
Does an Operations Excellence Manager role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in industrial engineering, operations research, systems engineering, or another DHS-designated STEM field, you can apply for the 24-month STEM extension through your DSO. The role itself involves quantitative methods and process analysis, which typically aligns well with STEM degree programs, but your university confirms eligibility based on your CIP code.
What does an Operations Excellence Manager actually do, and why does it matter for OPT students?
The role focuses on identifying inefficiencies in business processes and implementing improvements using frameworks like Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen. For OPT students, this is a strong fit because the work is project-based and outcome-driven, making it easier to demonstrate value quickly. It's also a specialty occupation under USCIS standards, which matters when your employer eventually files an H-1B petition on your behalf.
How should I handle the OPT work authorization conversation with a potential employer?
Bring it up in the first recruiter screening call before any technical interviews. Briefly explain that you're authorized to work on OPT, that STEM-eligible candidates have up to 36 months of authorization, and that H-1B sponsorship would be needed after that window. Frame it as a timeline, not a burden. Employers who have sponsored before will recognize the path immediately and won't be deterred.
What qualifications make an OPT student competitive for Operations Excellence Manager roles?
A degree in industrial engineering, business analytics, or supply chain management provides the strongest foundation. Employers also look for Lean Six Sigma certification, experience with process mapping tools, and demonstrated project leadership. Internship or co-op experience in a continuous improvement role carries significant weight. Because this is a manager-level position, any prior team leadership or cross-functional project ownership you can document will strengthen your candidacy considerably.