OPT Specialty Cook Jobs
Specialty Cook jobs on OPT are available at hotels, resorts, catering companies, and restaurant groups that regularly hire international culinary talent. Your OPT work authorization lets you work full-time in a qualifying food preparation role, and STEM OPT extensions don't apply here, so planning your H-1B visa or O-1A timeline early matters.
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Get Access To All JobsCOMPENSATION
- The pay range is $64,000.00 - $128,000.00
Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.
ALL ABOUT TARGET
Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.
ALL ABOUT SPECIALTY SALES
A sales force of specialized consultants who provide tailored suggestions and solutions through active selling and compelling visual merchandising presentations that inspire guests and build the basket.
Teams in Apparel & Accessories (A&A), Beauty and Electronics prioritize guest experience while blending completion of tasks that ensure product is available and easy to shop – pulling, filling, pricing, setting, staging and maintaining the sales floor and the backroom.
At Target, we believe in our team members having meaningful experiences that help them build and develop skills for a career. The role of a Specialty Sales Executive Team Leader can provide you with the:
- Knowledge of guest service fundamentals, experience building and managing a guest first culture on your team
- Knowledge of retail business fundamentals including: department sales trends, inventory management, guest shopping patterns, pricing and promotions strategies
- Experience setting and planning department(s) monthly/quarterly workload to support business priorities and managing a team to deliver on sales goals
- Ability to manage multiple specialty businesses and balance team member expertise in each area to effectively manage teams in each department
- Knowledge of competitors and ability to leverage insights that drive business objectives in each specialty department
- Experience managing a team of hourly team members and leaders and creating business specific strategies and goals
- Skills in recruiting, selecting and talent management of hourly team members and leaders
As a Specialty Sales Executive Team Leader, no two days are ever the same, but a typical day will most likely include the following responsibilities:
- Drive total store sales, understand your role in sales growth and how your departments and team contribute to and impact total store profitability
- Create a guest-obsessed culture and lead your team to prioritize the guest experience and deliver on store sales goals
- Create schedules and make adjustments as needed to align to guest traffic and business needs
- Manage your team to effectively plan merchandising and pricing workload including transitions, revisions, sales plans, sampling and promotions
- Know and assess the competition and leverage guest insights and feedback to drive the business and be the destination of choice for our guests
- Work a schedule that aligns to guest and business needs (this includes early morning, evening, overnight shifts and weekends)
- Build a team of consultants that are knowledgeable and passionate about Apparel and Accessories, Beauty and Electronics
- Manage and develop a sales force using selling training techniques
- Lead A&A, Beauty and Electronics backroom processes, organization, layout and replenishment of the salesfloor to ensure product is available for guests
- Lead your team to deliver inspiring visual moments in A&A, Home, Baby and other seasonally relevant areas
- Ensure fitting rooms are used as an extension of the sales floor and are welcoming
- Plan, lead and follow-up on organizational and operational change
- Anticipate and identify changes in unique store trends
- Anticipate staffing needs, talent plan and recruit – both long and short term
- Develop and coach your team and Team Leaders to elevate their skills and expertise
- Lead team onboarding, learning and help close product knowledge and skill gaps through development, coaching and team interactions
- Establish a culture of accountability through clear expectations and performance management
- Provide service and a shopping experience that meets the needs of the guest
- Always demonstrate a culture of ethical conduct, safety and compliance; lead and hold the team accountable to work in the same way
- Address store needs (emergency, regulatory visits, etc.)
- As a key carrier, follow all safe and secure training and processes
- All other duties based on business needs
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We might be a great match if:
- Working in a fun and energetic environment makes you excited…. We work efficiently and as a team to take care of our guests
- Providing service to our guests that makes them say I LOVE TARGET! excites you…. That’s why we love working at Target
- Leading teams who are stocking, setting and selling Target products sounds like your thing… That’s the core of what we do
- You aren’t looking for Monday thru Friday job where you are at a computer all day… We are busy all day (especially on the weekends), making it easy for the guest to feel welcomed, inspired and rewarded
The good news is that we have some amazing training that will help teach you everything you need to know to be a Specialty Sales Executive Team Leader. But, there are a few skills you should have from the get-go:
- 4 year degree or equivalent experience
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong business acumen
- Comfortable dealing with ambiguity
- Manage conflict, lead and hold others accountable
- Relate well with and interact with all levels of the organization
- Strong cognitive skills, including problem analysis, decision making, financial and quantitative analysis
- Learn and adapt to current technology needs
- Manage workload and prioritize tasks independently
We are an awesome place to work and care about our teams, so we want to make sure we are clear on a few more basics that we expect:
- Access all areas of the building to respond to guest or team member issues
- Interpret instructions, reports and information
- Scan, handle and move merchandise efficiently and safely, including frequently lifting or moving merchandise up to 15 pounds and occasionally lifting or moving merchandise up to 40 pounds
- Accurately handle cash register operations
- Climb up and down ladders
- Flexible work schedule (e.g., nights, weekends and holidays) and regular attendance necessary
Benefits Eligibility
Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_D
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to candidate.accommodations@HRHelp.Target.com. Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.
COMPENSATION
- The pay range is $64,000.00 - $128,000.00
Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.
ALL ABOUT TARGET
Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.
ALL ABOUT SPECIALTY SALES
A sales force of specialized consultants who provide tailored suggestions and solutions through active selling and compelling visual merchandising presentations that inspire guests and build the basket.
Teams in Apparel & Accessories (A&A), Beauty and Electronics prioritize guest experience while blending completion of tasks that ensure product is available and easy to shop – pulling, filling, pricing, setting, staging and maintaining the sales floor and the backroom.
At Target, we believe in our team members having meaningful experiences that help them build and develop skills for a career. The role of a Specialty Sales Executive Team Leader can provide you with the:
- Knowledge of guest service fundamentals, experience building and managing a guest first culture on your team
- Knowledge of retail business fundamentals including: department sales trends, inventory management, guest shopping patterns, pricing and promotions strategies
- Experience setting and planning department(s) monthly/quarterly workload to support business priorities and managing a team to deliver on sales goals
- Ability to manage multiple specialty businesses and balance team member expertise in each area to effectively manage teams in each department
- Knowledge of competitors and ability to leverage insights that drive business objectives in each specialty department
- Experience managing a team of hourly team members and leaders and creating business specific strategies and goals
- Skills in recruiting, selecting and talent management of hourly team members and leaders
As a Specialty Sales Executive Team Leader, no two days are ever the same, but a typical day will most likely include the following responsibilities:
- Drive total store sales, understand your role in sales growth and how your departments and team contribute to and impact total store profitability
- Create a guest-obsessed culture and lead your team to prioritize the guest experience and deliver on store sales goals
- Create schedules and make adjustments as needed to align to guest traffic and business needs
- Manage your team to effectively plan merchandising and pricing workload including transitions, revisions, sales plans, sampling and promotions
- Know and assess the competition and leverage guest insights and feedback to drive the business and be the destination of choice for our guests
- Work a schedule that aligns to guest and business needs (this includes early morning, evening, overnight shifts and weekends)
- Build a team of consultants that are knowledgeable and passionate about Apparel and Accessories, Beauty and Electronics
- Manage and develop a sales force using selling training techniques
- Lead A&A, Beauty and Electronics backroom processes, organization, layout and replenishment of the salesfloor to ensure product is available for guests
- Lead your team to deliver inspiring visual moments in A&A, Home, Baby and other seasonally relevant areas
- Ensure fitting rooms are used as an extension of the sales floor and are welcoming
- Plan, lead and follow-up on organizational and operational change
- Anticipate and identify changes in unique store trends
- Anticipate staffing needs, talent plan and recruit – both long and short term
- Develop and coach your team and Team Leaders to elevate their skills and expertise
- Lead team onboarding, learning and help close product knowledge and skill gaps through development, coaching and team interactions
- Establish a culture of accountability through clear expectations and performance management
- Provide service and a shopping experience that meets the needs of the guest
- Always demonstrate a culture of ethical conduct, safety and compliance; lead and hold the team accountable to work in the same way
- Address store needs (emergency, regulatory visits, etc.)
- As a key carrier, follow all safe and secure training and processes
- All other duties based on business needs
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We might be a great match if:
- Working in a fun and energetic environment makes you excited…. We work efficiently and as a team to take care of our guests
- Providing service to our guests that makes them say I LOVE TARGET! excites you…. That’s why we love working at Target
- Leading teams who are stocking, setting and selling Target products sounds like your thing… That’s the core of what we do
- You aren’t looking for Monday thru Friday job where you are at a computer all day… We are busy all day (especially on the weekends), making it easy for the guest to feel welcomed, inspired and rewarded
The good news is that we have some amazing training that will help teach you everything you need to know to be a Specialty Sales Executive Team Leader. But, there are a few skills you should have from the get-go:
- 4 year degree or equivalent experience
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong business acumen
- Comfortable dealing with ambiguity
- Manage conflict, lead and hold others accountable
- Relate well with and interact with all levels of the organization
- Strong cognitive skills, including problem analysis, decision making, financial and quantitative analysis
- Learn and adapt to current technology needs
- Manage workload and prioritize tasks independently
We are an awesome place to work and care about our teams, so we want to make sure we are clear on a few more basics that we expect:
- Access all areas of the building to respond to guest or team member issues
- Interpret instructions, reports and information
- Scan, handle and move merchandise efficiently and safely, including frequently lifting or moving merchandise up to 15 pounds and occasionally lifting or moving merchandise up to 40 pounds
- Accurately handle cash register operations
- Climb up and down ladders
- Flexible work schedule (e.g., nights, weekends and holidays) and regular attendance necessary
Benefits Eligibility
Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_D
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to candidate.accommodations@HRHelp.Target.com. Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.
See all 602+ OPT Specialty Cook Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Specialty Cook Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Specialty Cook
Target hospitality groups with visa history
Large hotel chains and resort operators have sponsored cooks before and have HR teams familiar with the process. Smaller independent restaurants rarely have the infrastructure to manage visa paperwork, so focus your applications accordingly.
Document your culinary specialization clearly
Specialty Cook roles require demonstrating expertise in a specific cuisine or technique. Your resume should name your specialty precisely, such as Japanese sushi preparation or French pastry, since vague descriptions make it harder for employers to justify sponsorship.
Raise sponsorship in the second interview, not the first
Let employers assess your culinary skills before the visa conversation. Bringing up OPT limitations immediately can end conversations prematurely, while waiting until there's genuine interest gives the discussion a much better outcome.
Get your credentials evaluated if trained internationally
If you completed culinary school outside the United States, a credential evaluation from a recognized service strengthens your application. It shows employers your training is equivalent to U.S. culinary education and reduces ambiguity during sponsorship discussions.
Highlight certifications that signal professional-level skill
ServSafe, ACF certification, or specialty culinary credentials from recognized institutions signal to hiring managers that you meet professional kitchen standards. These credentials also support future visa petitions by demonstrating your qualifications beyond the degree requirement.
Specialty Cook OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Specialty Cook on OPT?
Yes. Specialty Cook is a qualifying role for F-1 OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study, such as culinary arts or hospitality management. You must work at least 20 hours per week to maintain valid OPT status, and the job should match the culinary discipline your degree covers.
Does a Specialty Cook role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
No. Specialty Cook is classified under SOC code 35-2014 and is not on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program list. This means your OPT work authorization is limited to 12 months with no extension available. Planning your transition to another visa category, such as H-2B or H-1B, before your OPT expires is essential.
What visa can an employer sponsor after my OPT ends for this role?
The most common path is the H-2B visa, which covers temporary non-agricultural workers in roles like Specialty Cook, particularly in seasonal hospitality settings. Some highly specialized culinary professionals have qualified for the O-1A visa based on extraordinary ability. H-1B is less common for cook roles but not impossible if the employer can demonstrate specialty occupation requirements are met.
Where can I find Specialty Cook jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so you can browse Specialty Cook listings from employers who have a track record of hiring international workers. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering visa limitations late in the process.
Will my culinary degree from outside the U.S. be accepted by employers for OPT purposes?
Your OPT authorization is tied to your U.S. F-1 status, not where your culinary training occurred. However, employers may ask about your educational background during hiring. Having a foreign credential evaluation completed before interviews helps establish equivalency and makes employer conversations about sponsorship smoother, particularly if future H-1B sponsorship comes into consideration.