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.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees. Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956. Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Retail Sales Representative you will be responsible for building relationships and maintaining a positive retail experience with our National Retail customers in our Washington D.C. and Virginia territory. You will coordinate with and contribute to the overall branch and company efforts to profitably grow our business. You will be responsible for creating and maintaining positive relationships with customers at the local level, executing on National Retail customer-specific projects, and completing objectives as directed by the National and Regional teams. You may also participate in training sessions in the territory. You will work with National Retail Regional Managers to support sales strategies and programs; and communicate appropriate trends and field intelligence to provide to Management to ensure customer satisfaction.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING (% of Time)
Call on existing National Retail customers at the store level by installing and maintaining appropriate marketing materials in all customer accounts, determining and securing suitable areas to cross merchandise, building and maintaining displays and POP materials. Selling, cross-merchandising, building and maintaining displays/P.O.P. materials. Develop relationships with and be the primary contact for the customer’s store level merchandising, floor associate and management teams. Responsible for planning and executing store level trainings as needed. (85%)
Coordinate with National Retail Regional Managers and other field sales personnel to ensure execution of territory projects, initiatives, and opportunities. (10%)
Other duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to, consistent CRM management and usage, scheduling, business planning, submitting expense reports in a timely manner, regular maintenance of company-owned vehicles, utilize customer performance tracking software/apps as needed, and other duties as assigned. (5%)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
If you can do everything listed above, you’ve got what it takes. Perhaps some of the following would be helpful too:
- Associate’s degree preferred.
- 1-2 years of related experience in retail merchandising and/or sales. National Accounts experience and/or business or marketing experience preferred.
- Customer Focus: Ability to build and sustain productive customer relationships.
- Proactivity: Ability to identify what needs to be done and take action, when situation requires it.
- Organization & Prioritization: Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously as well as quickly reallocate resources in order to respond to changing customer and team member needs.
- Speaking: Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
- Writing: Ability to write in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
- Attention to detail: Ability to complete all work according to procedures and standards.
- Technical: Basic carpentry skills and ability to safely use common construction tools such as, but not limited to, hammer and drill.
- Prioritization: Ability to display a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner.
- Accountability & Dependability: Ability to fulfill all commitments made to peers, co-workers, and supervisor.
- Computer/Software/Technology: Ability to utilize Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer to effectively complete work.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, see, talk, and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in both a professional office environment, customer sites and construction job sites. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers/scanners, etc. The employee occasionally works around moving mechanical parts. Noise level may be loud at times.
Travel
This job requires 25% domestic travel.
Work Status & Location
This full-time, non-exempt position is located in Alexandria, VA.
Relocation
Relocation is not available for this position.
Pay
$52,500 - $75,100 / year
REWARDS AT SIMPSON STRONG-TIE
We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits. May exclude some positions, such as seasonal jobs.
-
Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue — directly or indirectly – and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
-
Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, employee stock purchase and bonus plans, pay for holidays, vacation, sick days, funerals and jury duty, years of service awards, employee discounts, employee referral bonuses, charitable contribution matching, education reimbursement and more.
In keeping with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities, we are an equal opportunity employer. This means that our employment decisions are based on your qualifications and merit, and our business needs.
Please note all job offers are contingent upon a successful background investigation and drug test. Simpson Strong-Tie's drug policy is based upon Federal Law, and therefore will screen applicants for amphetamines, including methamphetamines, cocaine, phencyclidine and opiates.
INTRODUCTION
Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees. Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956. Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Retail Sales Representative you will be responsible for building relationships and maintaining a positive retail experience with our National Retail customers in our Washington D.C. and Virginia territory. You will coordinate with and contribute to the overall branch and company efforts to profitably grow our business. You will be responsible for creating and maintaining positive relationships with customers at the local level, executing on National Retail customer-specific projects, and completing objectives as directed by the National and Regional teams. You may also participate in training sessions in the territory. You will work with National Retail Regional Managers to support sales strategies and programs; and communicate appropriate trends and field intelligence to provide to Management to ensure customer satisfaction.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING (% of Time)
Call on existing National Retail customers at the store level by installing and maintaining appropriate marketing materials in all customer accounts, determining and securing suitable areas to cross merchandise, building and maintaining displays and POP materials. Selling, cross-merchandising, building and maintaining displays/P.O.P. materials. Develop relationships with and be the primary contact for the customer’s store level merchandising, floor associate and management teams. Responsible for planning and executing store level trainings as needed. (85%)
Coordinate with National Retail Regional Managers and other field sales personnel to ensure execution of territory projects, initiatives, and opportunities. (10%)
Other duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to, consistent CRM management and usage, scheduling, business planning, submitting expense reports in a timely manner, regular maintenance of company-owned vehicles, utilize customer performance tracking software/apps as needed, and other duties as assigned. (5%)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
If you can do everything listed above, you’ve got what it takes. Perhaps some of the following would be helpful too:
- Associate’s degree preferred.
- 1-2 years of related experience in retail merchandising and/or sales. National Accounts experience and/or business or marketing experience preferred.
- Customer Focus: Ability to build and sustain productive customer relationships.
- Proactivity: Ability to identify what needs to be done and take action, when situation requires it.
- Organization & Prioritization: Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously as well as quickly reallocate resources in order to respond to changing customer and team member needs.
- Speaking: Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
- Writing: Ability to write in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
- Attention to detail: Ability to complete all work according to procedures and standards.
- Technical: Basic carpentry skills and ability to safely use common construction tools such as, but not limited to, hammer and drill.
- Prioritization: Ability to display a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner.
- Accountability & Dependability: Ability to fulfill all commitments made to peers, co-workers, and supervisor.
- Computer/Software/Technology: Ability to utilize Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer to effectively complete work.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, see, talk, and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in both a professional office environment, customer sites and construction job sites. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers/scanners, etc. The employee occasionally works around moving mechanical parts. Noise level may be loud at times.
Travel
This job requires 25% domestic travel.
Work Status & Location
This full-time, non-exempt position is located in Alexandria, VA.
Relocation
Relocation is not available for this position.
Pay
$52,500 - $75,100 / year
REWARDS AT SIMPSON STRONG-TIE
We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits. May exclude some positions, such as seasonal jobs.
-
Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue — directly or indirectly – and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
-
Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, employee stock purchase and bonus plans, pay for holidays, vacation, sick days, funerals and jury duty, years of service awards, employee discounts, employee referral bonuses, charitable contribution matching, education reimbursement and more.
In keeping with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities, we are an equal opportunity employer. This means that our employment decisions are based on your qualifications and merit, and our business needs.
Please note all job offers are contingent upon a successful background investigation and drug test. Simpson Strong-Tie's drug policy is based upon Federal Law, and therefore will screen applicants for amphetamines, including methamphetamines, cocaine, phencyclidine and opiates.
See all 42+ OPT Retail Sales Representative Jobs
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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.