OPT Retail Sales Representative Jobs
Retail Sales Representative jobs are among the more accessible OPT roles for F-1 students with customer-facing experience, but employer familiarity with OPT work authorization varies widely in retail. Your 12-month standard OPT window (29 months for STEM-adjacent fields) means timing your job search and employer conversations carefully matters from day one.
Find OPT Retail Sales Representative JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 32+ Retail Sales Representative jobs
See all 32+ Retail Sales Representative Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Retail Sales Representative roles.
Get Access To All JobsEmpire Distributors Inc
A Leading Beverage Distributor is now hiring a Retail Wine Sales Representative. Our company offers competitive wages, potential growth opportunities, and excellent benefits that include, but aren't limited to healthcare, retirement benefits, paid time off, company paid life insurances, and supplemental Aflac and legal plans.
Summary
Represents Delta Wholesale Liquors and its brands to licensed retail accounts by performing the following duties. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Learns and executes the seven basics of Delta Wholesale Liquors, Inc.: distribution, position, display, pricing, point-of-sale, cold box, and rotation in each account.
- Services and maintains current accounts with orders for Delta Products and customer service.
- Travels through assigned territory daily to call on regular customers to solicit orders, presents items for distribution, maintains Delta merchandising standards, and handles damages and off-condition product.
- Secures feature ads and displays.
- Quotes bottle cost and target pricing to customers.
- Estimates date of delivery to customer, based on knowledge of delivery schedules.
- Confers with Sales Manager and Marketing & Programming Manager to resolve customer problems.
- Investigates and resolves customer problems with deliveries.
- Identifies and responds to customers' needs.
- Maintains frequent and open communication with Sales Manager, Marketing & Programming Manager, and the Vice President.
- Prepares and/or maintains distribution tracking reports, planning and goals, case quotas, and dollar objectives and other administrative tasks as assigned.
- Executes sales plans and maintains accounts according to company standards.
- Tracks progress of goals on a daily basis.
- Participates in supplier work-withs.
- Continually maintains training and product knowledge.
- Delivers emergency orders when needed.
- Attends trade shows and special events to represent Delta Wholesale Liquors, Inc. and its brands.
- Reviews accounts receivable and maintains collections from assigned accounts according to Delta policies and TN ABC laws.
- Conducts business according to local and state laws.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Associate's degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet software; Microsoft Word-Word Processing software; Explorer Internet software; Microsoft Outlook, and SAP Business Software.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- TN ABC Wholesaler's Employee Permit
- Valid Driver License
- Automobile Insurance - 100/300/50 minimum limits of liability
Empire is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace. We are committed to ensuring that all employment decisions are made on the basis of qualification, merit, and business need; without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disabilities, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
Empire Distributors Inc
A Leading Beverage Distributor is now hiring a Retail Wine Sales Representative. Our company offers competitive wages, potential growth opportunities, and excellent benefits that include, but aren't limited to healthcare, retirement benefits, paid time off, company paid life insurances, and supplemental Aflac and legal plans.
Summary
Represents Delta Wholesale Liquors and its brands to licensed retail accounts by performing the following duties. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Learns and executes the seven basics of Delta Wholesale Liquors, Inc.: distribution, position, display, pricing, point-of-sale, cold box, and rotation in each account.
- Services and maintains current accounts with orders for Delta Products and customer service.
- Travels through assigned territory daily to call on regular customers to solicit orders, presents items for distribution, maintains Delta merchandising standards, and handles damages and off-condition product.
- Secures feature ads and displays.
- Quotes bottle cost and target pricing to customers.
- Estimates date of delivery to customer, based on knowledge of delivery schedules.
- Confers with Sales Manager and Marketing & Programming Manager to resolve customer problems.
- Investigates and resolves customer problems with deliveries.
- Identifies and responds to customers' needs.
- Maintains frequent and open communication with Sales Manager, Marketing & Programming Manager, and the Vice President.
- Prepares and/or maintains distribution tracking reports, planning and goals, case quotas, and dollar objectives and other administrative tasks as assigned.
- Executes sales plans and maintains accounts according to company standards.
- Tracks progress of goals on a daily basis.
- Participates in supplier work-withs.
- Continually maintains training and product knowledge.
- Delivers emergency orders when needed.
- Attends trade shows and special events to represent Delta Wholesale Liquors, Inc. and its brands.
- Reviews accounts receivable and maintains collections from assigned accounts according to Delta policies and TN ABC laws.
- Conducts business according to local and state laws.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Associate's degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet software; Microsoft Word-Word Processing software; Explorer Internet software; Microsoft Outlook, and SAP Business Software.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- TN ABC Wholesaler's Employee Permit
- Valid Driver License
- Automobile Insurance - 100/300/50 minimum limits of liability
Empire is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace. We are committed to ensuring that all employment decisions are made on the basis of qualification, merit, and business need; without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disabilities, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
See all 32+ OPT Retail Sales Representative Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Retail Sales Representative Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Retail Sales Representative
Lead with your EAD, not your visa status
When applying, clarify upfront that you have an Employment Authorization Document and can work without employer sponsorship during OPT. Retail hiring managers often confuse OPT with H-1B visa sponsorship, so removing that assumption early prevents unnecessary rejections.
Target multi-location retail chains over boutique shops
Large retailers like department stores, big-box chains, and national specialty brands are more likely to have HR teams familiar with OPT documentation. Smaller independent shops may hesitate simply because they've never processed an EAD before.
Emphasize bilingual skills as a concrete value add
Retail employers actively seek sales representatives who can serve diverse customer bases. If you speak Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, or another language, highlight that prominently. It reframes your international background as a direct business asset rather than an administrative hurdle.
Apply before your OPT start date to line up a start date
You can interview and receive an offer before your EAD arrives, but you cannot begin work until the card is in hand and your OPT start date has passed. Starting your search 60 to 90 days before your program end date gives you the best runway.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations before you start
Any change in employer, address, or job title must be reported to your DSO within 10 days. Retail roles sometimes involve transfers between store locations, which may require updated reporting. Staying compliant protects your status throughout employment.
Verify the role qualifies as a full-time position
OPT requires that employment be directly related to your degree field and, for most students, full-time during the authorized period. Confirm the Retail Sales Representative role meets your school's definition of qualifying OPT employment before accepting an offer.
Retail Sales Representative OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Retail Sales Representative on OPT?
Yes, if the role is directly related to your field of study. A business, marketing, communications, or hospitality degree can support a Retail Sales Representative position. The connection doesn't need to be exact, but your DSO must agree the role qualifies. Roles with no plausible tie to your degree could jeopardize your OPT status.
Do retail employers typically understand OPT work authorization?
It varies significantly. Large national retailers with dedicated HR departments are generally more familiar with EADs and OPT timelines. Smaller or independent retailers may be unfamiliar with the process and mistake OPT for visa sponsorship. Coming prepared with a brief explanation of your EAD and authorized work period helps move conversations forward. Browse OPT-friendly retail employers on Migrate Mate to identify companies with a history of hiring international students.
Does a Retail Sales Representative role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Unlikely for most retail roles. STEM OPT extension requires that the job be directly tied to a STEM-designated degree field and involve practical application of that STEM knowledge. A standard sales or customer service role in retail generally doesn't meet that threshold unless the position involves data analysis, e-commerce technology, or supply chain systems tied to a qualifying STEM degree.
What happens if I'm transferred to a different store location during OPT?
A transfer to a different store location under the same employer typically doesn't require a new OPT authorization, but you must update your address and employer information with your DSO within 10 days if your work location or personal address changes. If the transfer involves a different legal entity or employer of record, treat it as a new employer and report accordingly to stay compliant.
Can I work part-time as a Retail Sales Representative on OPT?
During the post-completion OPT period, USCIS requires students to work at least 20 hours per week to remain in valid status. Many retail positions offer part-time schedules, but anything under 20 hours per week does not satisfy OPT employment requirements. Confirm the offered schedule meets that minimum before accepting. During your program's pre-completion OPT period, part-time work under 20 hours per week is permitted while school is in session.