OPT Production Manager Jobs
Production Manager jobs are accessible on F-1 OPT, but most employers expect you to address your work authorization timeline upfront. Your OPT period gives you 12 months of authorized employment, with a 24-month STEM extension available if your degree qualifies. Operations and manufacturing roles at mid-to-large companies are the most likely to engage with the sponsorship process.
Find OPT Production Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 818+ Production Manager jobs










See all 818+ Production Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Production Manager roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
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 818+ OPT Production Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Production Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Production Manager
Lead with your authorization status, not your visa
Tell employers you're authorized to work for any employer without sponsorship during your OPT period. Many hiring managers conflate OPT with H-1B visa sponsorship. Clarifying this early removes the most common objection before it derails your application.
Target companies with existing H-1B filing history
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas in the past are far more likely to do it again. Focus your search on manufacturers, logistics firms, and consumer goods companies with established international hiring pipelines and in-house HR infrastructure.
Quantify your production outcomes on your resume
Employers weigh sponsorship costs against candidate value. Production Managers who can show measurable results, such as reduced cycle times, improved yield rates, or cost savings, give hiring managers a concrete case to bring to leadership when requesting sponsorship approval.
Identify your STEM extension eligibility early
If your degree is in engineering, operations research, or a qualifying STEM field, you may be eligible for a 24-month OPT extension. Confirming this before your job search lets you honestly offer employers a longer runway before H-1B sponsorship becomes necessary.
Build relationships with operations and plant-level managers
Hiring decisions for Production Manager roles often originate with operations directors, not HR. Connecting directly with plant managers or supply chain leaders who understand your day-to-day value can accelerate sponsorship conversations past the standard recruiter screening process.
Negotiate sponsorship as part of the offer, not after
Raise the H-1B sponsorship question before signing an offer, not six months into the job. Companies that intend to sponsor will say so. Those that won't rarely change their position, and it's better to know before you commit to a role.
Production Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Production Manager on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Production Manager roles qualify under OPT as long as the position is directly related to your degree field. An engineering or operations management degree typically satisfies this requirement. You're authorized to work for any employer during your OPT period without the employer needing to file any immigration paperwork on your behalf upfront.
Does a Production Manager role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you hold a degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, supply chain management, or another STEM-designated field, you may qualify for a 24-month extension. The job itself also needs to meet the formal training requirements outlined in your STEM OPT training plan, which your DSO helps prepare.
How do I find Production Manager jobs where the employer will sponsor an H-1B?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches, so it's the most efficient place to browse Production Manager openings at companies with a demonstrated sponsorship history. Filtering by employers who have filed H-1B petitions in manufacturing, operations, or logistics narrows your search to companies already familiar with the sponsorship process.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I'm laid off from a Production Manager role?
You have a 60-day grace period after your employment ends to find a new position, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the United States. During that window, you're not authorized to work, but you remain in valid F-1 status. Starting your job search immediately is critical, since the 60 days does not pause or extend.
Do Production Manager roles at manufacturing companies commonly sponsor visas?
Mid-to-large manufacturers, aerospace companies, automotive suppliers, and consumer packaged goods firms are among the more active H-1B sponsors for operations and production roles. Smaller facilities with fewer than 50 employees are less likely to have the HR infrastructure to manage sponsorship. Prioritizing established companies with international operations improves your odds of finding a sponsorship-willing employer.