OPT Purchasing Specialist Jobs
Purchasing Specialist roles qualify for OPT work authorization when tied to a degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field. Many employers in manufacturing, retail, and tech actively hire OPT candidates for these positions. Your 12-month standard OPT window can extend to 36 months with STEM OPT if your degree qualifies.
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The Company:
Faraday Future is a California-based technology company focused on the design, engineering, and development of intelligent, connected electric vehicles and related artificial intelligence–enabled technologies.
Founded in 2014, the Company's mission is to disrupt the automotive and technology industries by creating user-centric, technology-first experiences. The Company, together with its controlled subsidiaries, operates across multiple technology-driven areas, including AI electric vehicles, robotics, and its crypto business (AIXC), all under its upgraded Global EAI Industry Bridge Strategy, marking the beginning of a new chapter in AI mobility and Web3 integration. The Company aims to leverage the latest technologies and world's best talent to realize exciting new possibilities across all of these lines. Faraday Future's automotive business exemplifies its vision for luxury, innovation, and performance, while its FX strategy aims to introduce mass production models equipped with state-of-the-art luxury technology derived from the FF brand, targeted towards a broader market with middle-to-low price range offerings. FF is committed to redefining mobility through AI innovation. Join us in shaping the future of intelligent transportation and technology by creating something new, something connected, and something with a true global impact.
Your Role:
The Purchasing SpecialistIwill support the execution of procurement activities across assigned categories, ensuring timely and accurate purchasing operations. This role plays a critical part in maintaining supplier relationships, initiating purchase orders, and supporting cross-functional teams to meet business and production needs. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Key Responsibilities:
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Procurement Execution:
Create, issue, and manage purchase orders (POs) in ERP systems (e.g., SAP), ensuring accuracy in pricing, quantity, and delivery terms.
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Order Management:
Track order status, monitor supplier performance, and ensure on-time delivery. Proactively resolve issues related to delays, shortages, or discrepancies.
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Supplier Coordination:
Communicate with suppliers on quotations, lead times, and order fulfillment. Maintain day-to-day supplier relationships and ensure alignment with contractual terms.
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Sourcing Support:
Support RFQ/RFP processes by collecting and comparing supplier quotations. Assist in cost analysis and supplier selection based on quality, cost, and delivery.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with engineering, finance, quality, and operations teams to support procurement needs and ensure alignment with project timelines.
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Data & Reporting:
Maintain accurate procurement records, track key metrics (cost, delivery, supplier performance), and support reporting and analysis.
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Process & Compliance:
Ensure all procurement activities comply with internal policies and procedures. Support documentation, audits, and continuous process improvements.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
- 1–3 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain roles, preferably in manufacturing or automotive environments.
- Technical Skills: Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and strong proficiency in Excel.
- Communication: Strong communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Detail Orientation: High attention to detail with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in automotive or high-tech manufacturing industry
- Familiarity with BOM structures and direct/indirect sourcing
- Understanding of sourcing processes (RFQ, cost breakdown, supplier selection)
- Bilingual in Mandarin is a plus
Salary Range:
($80,000-$90,000 DOE), plus benefits and incentive plans
Perks + Benefits
- Healthcare + dental + vision benefits (Free for you/discounted for family)
- 401(k) options
- Casual dress code + relaxed work environment
Faraday Future is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Purchasing Specialist
Lead with your degree-to-role alignment
Purchasing Specialist roles require a clear connection between your job duties and your degree field. In interviews, explicitly connect your supply chain, business, or engineering coursework to procurement tasks like vendor analysis, cost modeling, and purchase order management.
Target employers with established OPT hiring processes
Large manufacturers, retailers, and tech firms hire Purchasing Specialists regularly and often have HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller companies may hesitate simply because they've never done it before, not because they're unwilling to try.
Know your OPT timeline before your first interview
Employers will ask how long you're authorized to work. Have a clear answer: your OPT end date, whether you're STEM-eligible, and your cap-gap situation if you plan to apply for H-1B visa. Confidence here reduces employer hesitation significantly.
Highlight ERP and procurement software experience
SAP, Oracle, and Coupa experience directly strengthens your application for Purchasing Specialist roles. Employers treat technical procurement skills as evidence you can contribute immediately, which lowers the perceived risk of hiring a candidate on a time-limited work authorization.
Address the 60-day gap rule proactively
If you're between jobs, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment. Don't wait until week eight to start applying. Purchasing Specialist roles in supply chain can move quickly, and starting early protects your status and your options.
Frame OPT as a low-commitment trial for skeptical employers
Some hiring managers worry about future visa costs. Explain that OPT requires no employer sponsorship or fees and that you handle the authorization independently. This reframe often resolves objections before they become a reason not to hire you.
Purchasing Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Purchasing Specialist role qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, if your degree is in a related field such as supply chain management, business administration, operations management, or engineering. Your job duties must connect to your area of study. Roles focused on vendor negotiation, procurement analysis, and inventory management typically satisfy this requirement without difficulty.
Can I get STEM OPT extension as a Purchasing Specialist?
It depends on your degree. If you hold a degree in industrial engineering, operations research, supply chain management, or another STEM-designated field, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months total. Check the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List to confirm your specific degree qualifies before applying.
How do I find Purchasing Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is specifically built for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by visa sponsorship and OPT-friendliness. Searching there saves time compared to applying broadly and hitting walls with employers who don't understand OPT. Look for roles in supply chain, procurement, and operations at companies with a track record of international hiring.
Do employers need to sponsor my visa or pay any fees to hire me on OPT?
No. During your OPT period, you're authorized to work independently through your EAD card. Your employer doesn't file any petitions or pay any government fees. This is one of the most common misconceptions that causes employers to hesitate. Clarifying this early in conversations often removes the biggest barrier to getting an offer.
What happens to my Purchasing Specialist job if my H-1B isn't selected in the lottery?
If you applied for H-1B and weren't selected, your options depend on timing. If you're still within your OPT validity period, you can continue working while exploring alternatives like O-1 visa, EB-1, or roles with companies that sponsor other visa types. Some Purchasing Specialist employers will consider L-1 visa transfers or TN visas depending on your nationality. Discussing contingency plans openly with your employer before the lottery results arrive is the most effective approach.