OPT Production Technician Jobs
Production Technician jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with engineering, manufacturing, or applied science degrees. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT-eligible, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this field routinely sponsor H-1B visas for technicians who prove their value on the production floor.
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Georgia-Pacific is now hiring for a Production Planner for our paper mill in Crossett, Arkansas!
The Production Planner ensures that the supply chain is functioning as planned and looks for areas of continuous improvement. They should demonstrate a strong understanding of basic supply chain concepts: inventory control, schedule optimization, supply replenishment, and lean manufacturing.
Our Team
For over 50 years, the Crossett Paper Mill has been a major part of the economic lifeblood of the region. With more than 500 employees, Crossett strives to lead the tissue and towel business. Since 2019, our team has invested more than $250 million to grow our brands and continue to serve our loyal consumers with the great quality they have come to expect.
What You Will Do
- Create and manage finished goods and vital material systems master data to facilitate uninterrupted material flow processes.
- Manage Finite Schedule including breaking master schedule into daily planned orders, maintain and manage to "end of run," upkeep of last planned order against over/under runs.
- Ensure last planned order matches the last planned shipment and manage SKU transitions.
- Manage Paper Machine Scheduling including scheduling multiple grades, balancing planned downtime with converting draw, maintaining paper balance.
- Manage Vital Supplies including developing and maintaining Bill of Materials; manage master supply agreements in SAP (schedule-line functionality), vitals ordering process, and serve as the main vendor liaison to watch "automated" balance and correct for over/under runs and to ensure adjustments are made for exceptions (over, shortage, damage, or rejects).
- Manage Inventory Accuracy by performing or managing cycle counts and inventory adjustments.
- Manage trailer issues with shipping & transportation including trailer size issues, carrier assignment, and carrier pool.
- Application of Principled Based Management techniques to improve supply chain processes through root cause problem identification and elimination.
- Stay current on best-in-class supply chain techniques and processes and applying this knowledge to keep Georgia-Pacific on a continuous innovation path.
- Skill/Capability/Ownership building for supply chain functions with other team members.
- Ensure team understands and manages to success against supply chain metrics.
- Provide expertise on IT supply chain functions of SAP, ICPAQS, E80, etc.
- Collaborate with master scheduler & manufacturing engineers on line capabilities, rates, and progressions.
- Understand and manage long-term converting & paper mill production needs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams at the facility and with corporate resources.
- Solve business problems and trouble-shoot to prevent problems.
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in a supply chain role or manufacturing role
- Experience with supply chain systems (SAP, ICPAQS, or similar system)
- Willingness to follow all safety rules, regulations, and procedures
What Will Put You Ahead
- Bachelor's degree or higher (Industrial Engineering or Supply Chain Management preferred)
- Experience with MS Excel (ability to create spreadsheets and analyze data)
- Experience with Root Cause Analysis techniques
- Knowledge of information systems/technology networking
LI-AG4
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
As a Koch company and leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 300,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
Your Job
Georgia-Pacific is now hiring for a Production Planner for our paper mill in Crossett, Arkansas!
The Production Planner ensures that the supply chain is functioning as planned and looks for areas of continuous improvement. They should demonstrate a strong understanding of basic supply chain concepts: inventory control, schedule optimization, supply replenishment, and lean manufacturing.
Our Team
For over 50 years, the Crossett Paper Mill has been a major part of the economic lifeblood of the region. With more than 500 employees, Crossett strives to lead the tissue and towel business. Since 2019, our team has invested more than $250 million to grow our brands and continue to serve our loyal consumers with the great quality they have come to expect.
What You Will Do
- Create and manage finished goods and vital material systems master data to facilitate uninterrupted material flow processes.
- Manage Finite Schedule including breaking master schedule into daily planned orders, maintain and manage to "end of run," upkeep of last planned order against over/under runs.
- Ensure last planned order matches the last planned shipment and manage SKU transitions.
- Manage Paper Machine Scheduling including scheduling multiple grades, balancing planned downtime with converting draw, maintaining paper balance.
- Manage Vital Supplies including developing and maintaining Bill of Materials; manage master supply agreements in SAP (schedule-line functionality), vitals ordering process, and serve as the main vendor liaison to watch "automated" balance and correct for over/under runs and to ensure adjustments are made for exceptions (over, shortage, damage, or rejects).
- Manage Inventory Accuracy by performing or managing cycle counts and inventory adjustments.
- Manage trailer issues with shipping & transportation including trailer size issues, carrier assignment, and carrier pool.
- Application of Principled Based Management techniques to improve supply chain processes through root cause problem identification and elimination.
- Stay current on best-in-class supply chain techniques and processes and applying this knowledge to keep Georgia-Pacific on a continuous innovation path.
- Skill/Capability/Ownership building for supply chain functions with other team members.
- Ensure team understands and manages to success against supply chain metrics.
- Provide expertise on IT supply chain functions of SAP, ICPAQS, E80, etc.
- Collaborate with master scheduler & manufacturing engineers on line capabilities, rates, and progressions.
- Understand and manage long-term converting & paper mill production needs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams at the facility and with corporate resources.
- Solve business problems and trouble-shoot to prevent problems.
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in a supply chain role or manufacturing role
- Experience with supply chain systems (SAP, ICPAQS, or similar system)
- Willingness to follow all safety rules, regulations, and procedures
What Will Put You Ahead
- Bachelor's degree or higher (Industrial Engineering or Supply Chain Management preferred)
- Experience with MS Excel (ability to create spreadsheets and analyze data)
- Experience with Root Cause Analysis techniques
- Knowledge of information systems/technology networking
LI-AG4
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
As a Koch company and leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 300,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
See all 623+ OPT Production Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Production Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Production Technician
Target manufacturers with existing H-1B track records
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas for Production Technicians before are far more likely to do it again. Search OFLC disclosure data to verify which manufacturers have filed LCAs for this exact job title before applying.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Production Technician roles typically qualify under engineering and manufacturing CIP codes, but confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer. A 24-month STEM extension dramatically improves your chances of clearing two H-1B lottery cycles.
Raise sponsorship early in the hiring process
Bring up your OPT status before the final interview round, not after an offer. Hiring managers in manufacturing prefer knowing upfront so HR can assess sponsorship timelines alongside your start date and production needs.
Emphasize specialized technical certifications
Certifications in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or equipment-specific systems make sponsorship a stronger business case for employers. Documented skills that are hard to replace locally reduce resistance to the time and cost of H-1B filing.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations during employment
Report any changes in employer, job title, or work location to your DSO within 10 days. Production roles sometimes involve shift changes or facility transfers that could affect your SEVIS record if not properly reported.
File your STEM OPT extension application at least 90 days early
USCIS processing times for EAD renewals can exceed 90 days. Submit your STEM OPT extension application well before your current EAD expires so you maintain continuous work authorization without interrupting production floor shifts.
Production Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Production Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Production Technician roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because they fall under engineering or applied science CIP codes. Your offer letter job duties need to align with your STEM-designated degree field. Confirm eligibility with your DSO and get written confirmation from your employer before assuming you qualify, since job titles alone don't determine eligibility.
How do I find Production Technician employers that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find Production Technician roles from employers open to OPT and H-1B sponsorship. Beyond the job board, you can cross-reference OFLC disclosure data to see which manufacturers have a history of filing Labor Condition Applications for this role, which is a strong signal they'll sponsor future visa holders as well.
Can I work for a staffing agency as a Production Technician on OPT?
Yes, but with important caveats. Your employer of record must match what's reported in SEVIS. If you're placed at a client facility through a staffing agency, the agency is typically your legal employer and must be listed accordingly. Your actual work location and duties must still align with your degree field to maintain valid OPT authorization.
What happens to my OPT if my production facility changes locations or shifts?
A change in work site address counts as a material change that must be reported to your DSO within 10 days. This is especially relevant for Production Technicians who may be reassigned to different facilities within the same company. Failing to update your SEVIS record with the new location can create compliance issues even if your employer and job title stay the same.
Does hands-on production floor work count as a qualifying OPT job?
Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. A Production Technician role grounded in mechanical engineering, industrial technology, or materials science satisfies OPT's requirement that employment be in a job related to your area of study. Purely manual labor with no connection to your degree field would not qualify, so reviewing your offer letter duties against your degree description matters.