Production Manager Jobs for OPT Students
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.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Our mission is to make everyday eating extraordinary for our guests. We create a warm, welcoming, and memorable experience through exceptional, personal service. We’re looking for a leader who brings positive energy, strong character, and a commitment to excellence every day. We value teamwork, celebrate our shared success, and look forward to the impact you’ll make on our store, our team, and our community.
Our added benefits for joining The Fresh Market team
- Team Member discount up to 40%
- Early Earn Wage Access (You can access up to 50% (max $500) of your earned wages on-demand per pay period)
- 401K contribution and company match
- Financial Wellness Program
- Personal time off and additional time off purchase plans are available
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance for individual, spouse, partner, and family
- Discounts on pet insurance, daycare, event tickets, and many more.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Do you have a passion for production? Can you deliver a first-class experience for guests? As our Production Manager, you will take the lead in managing team members and the department's operational procedures and standards to provide the best products and the best complete meal solutions for our guests. Because you will be working with your team members and product continuously throughout the early morning, this is a fast-paced position that requires efficiency and effectiveness, and a passion for excellence to drive results. This role reports to the Store Operations Manager and embodies a culture of leadership, hospitality, excellence, and teamwork.
What You'll Do:
- Direct, manage, and assist all functions of the Production department and demonstrate excellence for your team and guests
- Managing the production for key items to support Deli-CMS, Meat-Seafood, Bakery, and Produce departments
- Properly receiving/stocking goods that follow rotation standards when replenishing product levels
- Manage product to reduce shrink/damage
- Direct teams to handle, cut, and prepare a variety of the department's meat, cheeses, bread, prepacked produce, and convenient meal solutions in the early morning while maintaining quality product levels as indicated within TFM standards.
- Provide team members through The Fresh Market Academy, including “on-the-job” and online training, to provide excellent guest service safely and securely while maintaining efficiency and minimizing product loss
- Lead, engage, motivate, and manage team members to provide excellent guest service
- Provide coaching for team members to further their development and increase retention
- Create and manage team schedules, aligning production to support guest shopping hours to ensure guests receive a first-class experience
- Ensure department adherence to all safety requirements and protocols, including food safety per TFM policies and per law.
Availability:
To meet the needs of our stores, guests, and teams, this position requires the willingness to work a schedule of 3 am – 11 am with days off typically being Sunday and Wednesday of each week.
QUALIFICATIONS
At a minimum, what you’ll need:
- 1+ years of progressive management experience in supermarkets, retail, restaurants, hotels, or general business.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
- Proven ability to deliver an exceptional guest experience while achieving performance goals.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
- Basic proficiency with POS systems, scheduling tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Food safety certification, or ability to obtain post-hire.
- Must be 21 years of age or older.
Preferred qualifications:
- Associate’s degree in business, retail management, or related field; or equivalent experience.
- Experience in grocery, fresh food retail, hospitality, or high-volume specialty retail environment
- Knowledge of inventory management systems and financial reporting.
- Bilingual skills a plus.
PHYSICAL AND WORK CONDITIONS
- Repetitive hand/arm movements, grasping, bending, reaching, ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds by oneself, exposure to extreme temperatures
- Ability to use tools and equipment: knives, ladders, stepstools, box cutters, pallet jacks, and other equipment
- Required to spend long periods of time on their feet and stand or walk without a break (for up to 4 hours or as required by law)
- Required to wear an approved hat, hair net, and/or beard guard, and personal protective equipment
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Fresh Market is a proud, equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Reasonable Accommodation: Consistent with applicable laws, The Fresh Market will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and team members, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to The Fresh Market. This guiding principle applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring and job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training. The statements in this job posting describe the general nature and level of work expected in this role but are not all-inclusive. The Fresh Market looks forward to talking with interested candidates to share additional details about the applicable responsibilities, duties, and skills required. #LI-AV1
INTRODUCTION
Our mission is to make everyday eating extraordinary for our guests. We create a warm, welcoming, and memorable experience through exceptional, personal service. We’re looking for a leader who brings positive energy, strong character, and a commitment to excellence every day. We value teamwork, celebrate our shared success, and look forward to the impact you’ll make on our store, our team, and our community.
Our added benefits for joining The Fresh Market team
- Team Member discount up to 40%
- Early Earn Wage Access (You can access up to 50% (max $500) of your earned wages on-demand per pay period)
- 401K contribution and company match
- Financial Wellness Program
- Personal time off and additional time off purchase plans are available
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance for individual, spouse, partner, and family
- Discounts on pet insurance, daycare, event tickets, and many more.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Do you have a passion for production? Can you deliver a first-class experience for guests? As our Production Manager, you will take the lead in managing team members and the department's operational procedures and standards to provide the best products and the best complete meal solutions for our guests. Because you will be working with your team members and product continuously throughout the early morning, this is a fast-paced position that requires efficiency and effectiveness, and a passion for excellence to drive results. This role reports to the Store Operations Manager and embodies a culture of leadership, hospitality, excellence, and teamwork.
What You'll Do:
- Direct, manage, and assist all functions of the Production department and demonstrate excellence for your team and guests
- Managing the production for key items to support Deli-CMS, Meat-Seafood, Bakery, and Produce departments
- Properly receiving/stocking goods that follow rotation standards when replenishing product levels
- Manage product to reduce shrink/damage
- Direct teams to handle, cut, and prepare a variety of the department's meat, cheeses, bread, prepacked produce, and convenient meal solutions in the early morning while maintaining quality product levels as indicated within TFM standards.
- Provide team members through The Fresh Market Academy, including “on-the-job” and online training, to provide excellent guest service safely and securely while maintaining efficiency and minimizing product loss
- Lead, engage, motivate, and manage team members to provide excellent guest service
- Provide coaching for team members to further their development and increase retention
- Create and manage team schedules, aligning production to support guest shopping hours to ensure guests receive a first-class experience
- Ensure department adherence to all safety requirements and protocols, including food safety per TFM policies and per law.
Availability:
To meet the needs of our stores, guests, and teams, this position requires the willingness to work a schedule of 3 am – 11 am with days off typically being Sunday and Wednesday of each week.
QUALIFICATIONS
At a minimum, what you’ll need:
- 1+ years of progressive management experience in supermarkets, retail, restaurants, hotels, or general business.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
- Proven ability to deliver an exceptional guest experience while achieving performance goals.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
- Basic proficiency with POS systems, scheduling tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Food safety certification, or ability to obtain post-hire.
- Must be 21 years of age or older.
Preferred qualifications:
- Associate’s degree in business, retail management, or related field; or equivalent experience.
- Experience in grocery, fresh food retail, hospitality, or high-volume specialty retail environment
- Knowledge of inventory management systems and financial reporting.
- Bilingual skills a plus.
PHYSICAL AND WORK CONDITIONS
- Repetitive hand/arm movements, grasping, bending, reaching, ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds by oneself, exposure to extreme temperatures
- Ability to use tools and equipment: knives, ladders, stepstools, box cutters, pallet jacks, and other equipment
- Required to spend long periods of time on their feet and stand or walk without a break (for up to 4 hours or as required by law)
- Required to wear an approved hat, hair net, and/or beard guard, and personal protective equipment
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Fresh Market is a proud, equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Reasonable Accommodation: Consistent with applicable laws, The Fresh Market will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and team members, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to The Fresh Market. This guiding principle applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring and job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training. The statements in this job posting describe the general nature and level of work expected in this role but are not all-inclusive. The Fresh Market looks forward to talking with interested candidates to share additional details about the applicable responsibilities, duties, and skills required. #LI-AV1
How to Get Visa 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 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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