OPT Production Associate Jobs
Production Associate jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, operations management, or supply chain. Your OPT EAD authorizes full-time work, and many production environments actively hire candidates who understand lean manufacturing, quality control, and process improvement from their coursework.
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Get Access To All JobsAre You the Kind of Leader Who Leads from the Front?
FlexScreen/RiteScreen is growing, and we're looking for a hands-on Production Supervisor to lead a value stream at our Fargo, ND operation. This is not a desk job. You'll spend the majority of your day on the production floor — coaching the team, running the numbers, and driving real results in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
If you're a strong manufacturing leader who knows Lean from the ground up, thrives in a fast-paced build-to-order environment, and wants to own the performance of your area and the people in it, we want to talk to you.
About FlexScreen / RiteScreen
We are one of the largest window and door screen manufacturers in North America, with production facilities across multiple states. We build products that matter and we take pride in the people who build them. Our Fargo, North Dakota facility is a fast-paced manufacturing environment serving national customers, and we are growing — and we invest in the development and wellbeing of our team.
What You'll Own
Lean & Continuous Improvement
- Build and sustain a continuous-improvement culture within your value stream.
- Lead kaizen events and coach team members in Lean tools, standard work, and problem-solving.
- Identify and eliminate waste, improve profitability, and enhance process efficiency.
- Facilitate root-cause problem-solving to hit production goals.
Running the Floor
- Plan and adjust daily production schedules and labor plans to meet goals.
- Track KPIs — productivity, quality, safety, delivery — and use the data to find gaps, drive corrective actions, and improve performance.
- Conduct regular Gemba walks and keep metrics boards current and useful.
- Ensure every team member is trained in standard work, quality checks, and safety protocols.
Your Team
- Coach, develop, and hold your team accountable; set clear expectations and give regular feedback.
- Delegate effectively, rotate tasks, and build a cohesive, cross-trained team that's flexible and resilient.
- Partner with HR and site leadership to address under performance and recognize high achievers.
Timekeeping & Labor
- Review, code, and approve employee time cards in ADP in line with weekly payroll deadlines, resolving discrepancies before submission.
- Manage timekeeping compliance in ADP and approve time-off requests while maintaining staffing levels.
- Communicate hourly staffing needs to HR and recruiting, and monitor attendance and headcount to keep shifts productive.
Safety
- Promote a strong safety culture and make sure every employee works safely.
- Conduct and oversee safety training and audits, and enforce sound safety practices throughout your area.
Communication & Reporting
- Present metrics and performance data to internal and external stakeholders using Excel and PowerPoint.
- Conduct plant tours and participate in customer or supplier visits as needed.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field — or 3–5 years of proven manufacturing leadership experience.
- Strong background in Lean manufacturing, problem-solving, and quality improvement.
- An analytical, data-driven mindset and effective problem-solving skills.
- Strong project-management skills and the ability to motivate and coach a team.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Exceptional time-management and organizational skills to juggle priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to confidentiality with sensitive information.
Why FlexScreen / RiteScreen
We're the team behind the window and door screens trusted across the country, and we're growing. At our Fargo plant, you won't be a number in a corporate machine — you'll own a value stream, see your impact every day, and have the backing of a company that's investing in its operations and its people.
Ready to Lead?
Apply today through our career site, and let's talk about what you can build with us at RiteScreen/FlexScreen.
RiteScreen is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion in our workforce and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Are You the Kind of Leader Who Leads from the Front?
FlexScreen/RiteScreen is growing, and we're looking for a hands-on Production Supervisor to lead a value stream at our Fargo, ND operation. This is not a desk job. You'll spend the majority of your day on the production floor — coaching the team, running the numbers, and driving real results in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
If you're a strong manufacturing leader who knows Lean from the ground up, thrives in a fast-paced build-to-order environment, and wants to own the performance of your area and the people in it, we want to talk to you.
About FlexScreen / RiteScreen
We are one of the largest window and door screen manufacturers in North America, with production facilities across multiple states. We build products that matter and we take pride in the people who build them. Our Fargo, North Dakota facility is a fast-paced manufacturing environment serving national customers, and we are growing — and we invest in the development and wellbeing of our team.
What You'll Own
Lean & Continuous Improvement
- Build and sustain a continuous-improvement culture within your value stream.
- Lead kaizen events and coach team members in Lean tools, standard work, and problem-solving.
- Identify and eliminate waste, improve profitability, and enhance process efficiency.
- Facilitate root-cause problem-solving to hit production goals.
Running the Floor
- Plan and adjust daily production schedules and labor plans to meet goals.
- Track KPIs — productivity, quality, safety, delivery — and use the data to find gaps, drive corrective actions, and improve performance.
- Conduct regular Gemba walks and keep metrics boards current and useful.
- Ensure every team member is trained in standard work, quality checks, and safety protocols.
Your Team
- Coach, develop, and hold your team accountable; set clear expectations and give regular feedback.
- Delegate effectively, rotate tasks, and build a cohesive, cross-trained team that's flexible and resilient.
- Partner with HR and site leadership to address under performance and recognize high achievers.
Timekeeping & Labor
- Review, code, and approve employee time cards in ADP in line with weekly payroll deadlines, resolving discrepancies before submission.
- Manage timekeeping compliance in ADP and approve time-off requests while maintaining staffing levels.
- Communicate hourly staffing needs to HR and recruiting, and monitor attendance and headcount to keep shifts productive.
Safety
- Promote a strong safety culture and make sure every employee works safely.
- Conduct and oversee safety training and audits, and enforce sound safety practices throughout your area.
Communication & Reporting
- Present metrics and performance data to internal and external stakeholders using Excel and PowerPoint.
- Conduct plant tours and participate in customer or supplier visits as needed.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field — or 3–5 years of proven manufacturing leadership experience.
- Strong background in Lean manufacturing, problem-solving, and quality improvement.
- An analytical, data-driven mindset and effective problem-solving skills.
- Strong project-management skills and the ability to motivate and coach a team.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Exceptional time-management and organizational skills to juggle priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to confidentiality with sensitive information.
Why FlexScreen / RiteScreen
We're the team behind the window and door screens trusted across the country, and we're growing. At our Fargo plant, you won't be a number in a corporate machine — you'll own a value stream, see your impact every day, and have the backing of a company that's investing in its operations and its people.
Ready to Lead?
Apply today through our career site, and let's talk about what you can build with us at RiteScreen/FlexScreen.
RiteScreen is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion in our workforce and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
See all 746+ OPT Production Associate Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Production Associate
Target manufacturers with established OPT hiring patterns
Large manufacturers in automotive, electronics, and consumer goods regularly hire OPT students for production roles. These companies already understand EAD-based work authorization and are less likely to treat your status as a liability during the hiring process.
Lead with your technical coursework and lab experience
Hiring managers in production care about practical skills. Highlight coursework in manufacturing processes, quality systems, or industrial operations. Internships, co-ops, or university lab projects that involved hands-on production work are especially relevant to this role.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with recruiters
Production roles often involve shift scheduling and long-term headcount planning. Telling recruiters your exact OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility early prevents late-stage surprises and shows you understand your own authorization status clearly.
Emphasize STEM OPT extension eligibility if your degree qualifies
A STEM-designated degree in engineering or manufacturing gives you up to three additional years of work authorization. This matters to production employers who invest time training new hires and prefer candidates who can stay beyond the standard 12-month OPT period.
Prepare to address future sponsorship directly
Some production employers will ask about your long-term visa needs. Research whether the company has sponsored H-1B visas before. Going into that conversation with specific information shows initiative and makes the sponsorship question feel less like a risk to the employer.
Apply to companies actively hiring on OPT-friendly platforms
Generic job boards don't filter for visa sponsorship willingness. Migrate Mate surfaces Production Associate roles from employers already open to OPT candidates, saving you from applying to companies that will screen you out at the first recruiter call.
Production Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Production Associate on OPT?
Yes, your F-1 OPT EAD authorizes full-time employment in Production Associate roles as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. Engineering, industrial technology, operations management, and supply chain degrees all have a clear connection to production work. Keep documentation of how your role ties to your major in case your DSO or USCIS asks.
Do Production Associate employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
It varies by company size and role level. Large manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, and electronics have established immigration programs and routinely sponsor H-1B petitions for production engineers and associates. Smaller manufacturers and contract production facilities are less likely to sponsor. Migrate Mate shows you which Production Associate employers are open to sponsorship so you can target your applications accordingly.
Does a Production Associate role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or materials science, and the Production Associate role uses that knowledge, you can apply for a 24-month STEM extension. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm the connection between your specific duties and your degree with your DSO before filing.
What should I do if my OPT expires before I receive an H-1B approval?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you have a valid STEM extension or timely filed extension pending, you may be protected by cap-gap coverage. Cap-gap automatically extends your F-1 status and work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year your H-1B is approved. Talk to your DSO immediately if your timeline is close, because a gap in authorization can require you to stop working.
What degree fields best support a Production Associate OPT application?
Industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, operations management, and supply chain management are the strongest matches for Production Associate roles under OPT. Quality engineering and materials science degrees also connect well depending on the specific production environment. The closer your coursework is to the actual work you will do on the floor, the easier it is to justify the educational connection your OPT requires.