OPT Procurement Jobs
Procurement roles in supply chain management, strategic sourcing, and vendor negotiation are well-suited to F-1 OPT students with degrees in business, supply chain, or operations. Most positions qualify for STEM OPT extension when the degree field is STEM-designated, giving you up to three years of authorized work.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Simplot Company is a diverse, privately held global food and agriculture company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. We are a true farm-to-table company with an integrated portfolio including food processing and food brands, phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, and other enterprises related to agriculture.
SUMMARY
The Procurement Category Manager will focus on establishing a long-term (1-3 year) strategic category plan for MRO initiatives across Simplot’s global manufacturing locations. He / She will be expected to drive value across the enterprise for the assigned category through stakeholder relationship management, sourcing activities, supplier relationship management, and savings targets. The strategy development work is done in partnership with various business unit stakeholders across all global manufacturing facilities. Category strategies include spend analysis/mapping, external market analysis, “should cost” analysis, and vendor and supply management. He / She will also lead sourcing projects based on the category strategy and on-demand projects from the respective stakeholders.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop category plan for global MRO category with mid to high-level complexity.
- Build strong stakeholder relationships to prioritize and deliver on portfolio projects.
- Lead sourcing projects including RFI, RFP, RFQ.
- Lead negotiations and contract development.
- Manage strategic vendor relationships and performance to ensure delivery of service, quality, cost and supply commitments.
TYPICAL EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from 4-year college or university
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
- 3+ years of experience in MRO category management
- Knowledge/experience in a commercial/procurement role
- 3+ years of experience Category Management and Sourcing activities
- Knowledge working in business or functional unit supported by the category
- Good sales, presentation, negotiation, and market/data analytic skills
- MS Office Suite Proficiency, Ariba/SAP and JDE experience a plus
- Strong communication and relationship building
- “Should Cost” modeling
- Experience in corporate MRO programs
- Lean / 6Sigma implementation and experience
- Understanding of Procurement inventory controls and optimization tools
- Strategic Cost Management
OTHER INFORMATION
- Domestic and/or International Travel up to 25% as needed
- This role reports full-time onsite at Simplot HQ (Boise, ID)
Job Requisition ID: 27179
Travel Required: Less than 10%
Location(s): Simplot Headquarters - Boise
Country: United States
The Simplot Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status.
If the Simplot Company decides to offer you this position, such offer will be conditioned on your satisfactory completion of a post-offer criminal background check. For Washington Job Applicants, see the Washington State Attorney General’s Washington Fair Chance Act Guide and RCW 49.94.010 for more information.
INTRODUCTION
The Simplot Company is a diverse, privately held global food and agriculture company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. We are a true farm-to-table company with an integrated portfolio including food processing and food brands, phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, and other enterprises related to agriculture.
SUMMARY
The Procurement Category Manager will focus on establishing a long-term (1-3 year) strategic category plan for MRO initiatives across Simplot’s global manufacturing locations. He / She will be expected to drive value across the enterprise for the assigned category through stakeholder relationship management, sourcing activities, supplier relationship management, and savings targets. The strategy development work is done in partnership with various business unit stakeholders across all global manufacturing facilities. Category strategies include spend analysis/mapping, external market analysis, “should cost” analysis, and vendor and supply management. He / She will also lead sourcing projects based on the category strategy and on-demand projects from the respective stakeholders.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop category plan for global MRO category with mid to high-level complexity.
- Build strong stakeholder relationships to prioritize and deliver on portfolio projects.
- Lead sourcing projects including RFI, RFP, RFQ.
- Lead negotiations and contract development.
- Manage strategic vendor relationships and performance to ensure delivery of service, quality, cost and supply commitments.
TYPICAL EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from 4-year college or university
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
- 3+ years of experience in MRO category management
- Knowledge/experience in a commercial/procurement role
- 3+ years of experience Category Management and Sourcing activities
- Knowledge working in business or functional unit supported by the category
- Good sales, presentation, negotiation, and market/data analytic skills
- MS Office Suite Proficiency, Ariba/SAP and JDE experience a plus
- Strong communication and relationship building
- “Should Cost” modeling
- Experience in corporate MRO programs
- Lean / 6Sigma implementation and experience
- Understanding of Procurement inventory controls and optimization tools
- Strategic Cost Management
OTHER INFORMATION
- Domestic and/or International Travel up to 25% as needed
- This role reports full-time onsite at Simplot HQ (Boise, ID)
Job Requisition ID: 27179
Travel Required: Less than 10%
Location(s): Simplot Headquarters - Boise
Country: United States
The Simplot Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status.
If the Simplot Company decides to offer you this position, such offer will be conditioned on your satisfactory completion of a post-offer criminal background check. For Washington Job Applicants, see the Washington State Attorney General’s Washington Fair Chance Act Guide and RCW 49.94.010 for more information.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Procurement
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Supply chain management and operations research are commonly STEM-designated, which extends your OPT to three years. Verify your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying, since this significantly changes how employers evaluate your timeline.
Target employers with established OPT hiring processes
Large manufacturers, retailers, and logistics companies hire procurement analysts regularly and often have HR teams familiar with OPT authorization. Smaller firms may hesitate simply because they've never sponsored an OPT student before, not because they're unwilling.
Emphasize ERP and sourcing tool proficiency upfront
Procurement hiring managers prioritize candidates who know SAP, Oracle, or Coupa. Leading with specific system experience shifts the conversation toward your technical value rather than your visa status, which helps ease employer concerns early in the process.
Frame your international background as a sourcing asset
Cross-border supplier relationships and multilingual negotiation are genuine differentiators in global procurement. If you have experience working with international vendors or suppliers from your home region, highlight this directly in your resume and cover letter.
Start your H-1B conversation before your OPT clock runs out
Procurement roles at mid-to-large companies routinely sponsor H-1B visa petitions. Raise the topic with your manager or HR contact well before your OPT expires so the company has time to engage immigration counsel and meet the April filing deadline.
Use your CPO authorization period strategically
If you're still searching when your OPT start date approaches, a Cap-Gap extension may keep you authorized while you finalize an offer. Make sure your DSO and any prospective employer understand exactly when your current and extended authorization periods apply.
Procurement OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do procurement jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in supply chain management, operations research, industrial engineering, or another STEM-designated field, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years total. Business administration degrees without a STEM designation do not qualify, so confirm your CIP code with your DSO before factoring the extension into your job search timeline.
How do I find procurement employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, which saves significant time compared to cold-applying and asking about visa sponsorship after the fact. Procurement roles at large manufacturers, government contractors, and Fortune 500 retailers tend to have the most established OPT and H-1B hiring processes. Focusing your search on employers with existing immigration infrastructure makes a meaningful difference in your success rate.
What procurement job titles are most common for recent graduates on OPT?
Entry-level procurement titles for OPT students typically include Procurement Analyst, Sourcing Analyst, Supply Chain Analyst, and Purchasing Coordinator. These roles sit within corporate procurement teams and generally require a bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or a related field. Some companies also hire for Supplier Development Associate or Strategic Sourcing Specialist roles, which can carry faster H-1B sponsorship tracks due to their specialized nature.
Can I work for multiple employers in procurement while on OPT?
Yes, standard OPT allows concurrent employment, meaning you can hold more than one job simultaneously as long as each position is directly related to your degree field and you work at least 20 hours per week in total. For STEM OPT, each employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your DSO must report each employer in SEVIS. Make sure every concurrent role clearly ties to your declared major to stay compliant.
What happens to my OPT if my procurement job ends before my authorization expires?
Standard OPT allows up to 90 days of cumulative unemployment during the authorization period. STEM OPT reduces this to 60 days. If your procurement role ends, you need to secure a new qualifying position within that window or your OPT status is at risk. Notify your DSO immediately when employment ends so they can update SEVIS and advise on your remaining unemployed days.