OPT Supply Chain Planner Jobs
Supply Chain Planner roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in supply chain management, industrial engineering, operations research, or business analytics. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in manufacturing, retail, and logistics actively hire OPT candidates for planning and forecasting functions.
Find OPT Supply Chain Planner JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 19+ Supply Chain Planner jobs










See all Supply Chain Planner Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Supply Chain Planner roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us?
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Supply Planner III owns and leads end-to-end supply planning for a product category or business segment. This role establishes supply strategy, including inventory targets, capacity alignment, and NPI integration, balancing service, cost, and working capital across the network. This position operates at a strategic level within the SIOP process, leading supply discussions, driving scenario planning, and influencing cross-functional decisions. The Supply Planner III proactively identifies risks and opportunities, ensures alignment across functions, and mentors planners to elevate planning capability and execution discipline.
Major Responsibilities:
- Owns and leads end-to-end supply strategy for assigned categories, including inventory, capacity, and service performance
- Establishes and governs finished goods inventory targets aligned to service, cost, and working capital objectives
- Defines and drives capacity and plant rate strategies in partnership with operations to enable scalable and efficient production
- Leads development and execution of supply plans across a 0–12 month horizon, ensuring alignment with demand, constraints, and business priorities
- Owns supply-side integration of NPI and product lifecycle management, including phase-in/phase-out strategies and risk mitigation
- Proactively identifies supply/demand imbalances and lead cross-functional resolution plans with clear trade-off decisions
- Optimizes inventory positioning across the network to balance service levels, cost, and responsiveness
- Influences and aligns cross-functional stakeholders (Demand Planning, Operations, Procurement, Finance) to ensure integrated decision-making
- Leads supply inputs into the SIOP process, including scenario development, risk identification, and executive-ready recommendations
- Presents supply strategies, risks, and trade-offs to senior leadership, enabling informed business decisions
- Drives continuous improvement in planning processes, parameters, and system capabilities to increase efficiency and accuracy
- Owns S&OE execution in partnership with plant operations, ensuring plan adherence and rapid issue resolution
- Mentors and develops supply planners, elevating team capability, analytical rigor, and business acumen
- Leads and/or sponsors continuous improvement and transformation initiatives across supply planning and broader supply chain
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent related experience in Supply Chain within a similar working environment
- 4 years of purchasing, planning, or related experience in a manufacturing environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors degree in Business or Supply Chain Management
- Materials or Supply Chain certifications preferred
- Experience with Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) best practices
- Experience using SAP or equivalent ERP
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES
- Ability to successfully manage shifting deadlines and priorities in a fast paced environment
- Ability to evaluate situations objectively and demonstrate the ability to make decisions that are intended to have a positive impact on work performance or area and the total business
- Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments in order to complete them on time
- Demonstrated skills in problem solving, contract negotiation and project management
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong project management and analytical skills
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
GREAT REASONS TO WORK FOR GENERAC:
- Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401k and many more
- State-of-the-art facility with an onsite gym, walking trails, café, free parking and many employee activities
- Scheduled events throughout the year that allow our employees, both current and retirees, to gather together and enjoy their time with their families and co-workers
- Eligible for summer hours! (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
- Pride! When a storm strikes, Generac employees always rise to the occasion. Each time a storm hits many employees volunteer their time with the customer support team or on the production line while others go right into storm-affected areas to repair generators
- We believe in having fun. From minor celebrations to major events, our employees balance their work by building a strong culture of teamwork and collaboration through a variety of occasions, including our Fun Days.
- Every day is Jeans Day! Dress for your day.
- Product loan and discount programs
OFFICE ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion, the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend, or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
“We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”
See all OPT Supply Chain Planner Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Supply Chain Planner Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Supply Chain Planner
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Supply chain and operations degrees often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but your specific CIP code determines eligibility. Verify with your DSO before applying, since 36 months total authorization makes you far more attractive to sponsors.
Target employers with established OPT and H-1B track records
Large manufacturers, retailers, and logistics companies like Amazon, 3M, and Procter and Gamble have dedicated immigration support infrastructure. Smaller firms may be willing but lack the process. Prioritize companies that have sponsored supply chain roles before.
Lead with ERP and analytics skills in your application materials
Proficiency in SAP, Oracle, or Kinaxis signals immediate value to hiring managers. Employers weighing sponsorship costs want to see technical skills that justify the investment. Certifications like APICS CPIM strengthen your case considerably.
Frame your OPT timeline proactively with employers
Bring up your work authorization early in conversations, not after an offer. Explain your OPT duration and STEM extension eligibility clearly. Employers who feel informed upfront are more likely to engage HR on sponsorship than those surprised late in the process.
Apply to industries with persistent supply chain talent shortages
Semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace consistently report difficulty filling planning roles. These shortages make employers more willing to sponsor OPT holders. Targeting constrained industries improves your chances of finding a sponsor who sees long-term value.
Quantify your planning impact in your resume and interviews
Hiring managers justify sponsorship to leadership with a business case. Showing you reduced inventory costs, improved forecast accuracy, or cut lead times by measurable amounts gives them concrete ammunition. Generic descriptions of responsibilities do not accomplish this.
Supply Chain Planner OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Supply Chain Planner roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Supply Chain Planner positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, making your total work authorization 36 months. Eligibility depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. Degrees in supply chain management, industrial engineering, operations research, and business analytics are commonly STEM-designated, but confirm your specific code with your DSO before applying.
Which employers actively sponsor OPT students for Supply Chain Planner roles?
Large manufacturers, consumer goods companies, and logistics firms are the most consistent sponsors for supply chain planning roles. Companies with global operations tend to have established immigration support processes that make OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship routine rather than exceptional. You can browse Supply Chain Planner roles from OPT-friendly employers directly on Migrate Mate, which filters for sponsorship-willing companies.
Can I work as a Supply Chain Planner on pre-completion OPT while still finishing my degree?
Yes, pre-completion OPT allows you to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while enrolled or full-time during official school breaks. Supply Chain Planner roles are almost always full-time positions, so pre-completion OPT is a limited fit. Most students wait for post-completion OPT to pursue these roles, which allows unrestricted full-time employment.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I lose my Supply Chain Planner job?
F-1 OPT regulations allow a cumulative unemployment period of up to 90 days during your initial OPT and an additional 60 days during the STEM extension. If you exceed these limits, your OPT status is violated. Reporting a job loss to your DSO promptly is essential. Finding a new position quickly and updating your SEVIS record protects your immigration standing.
Is a Supply Chain Planner role considered directly related to my degree for OPT purposes?
Your OPT employment must be directly related to your major area of study. A Supply Chain Planner role generally satisfies this requirement for degrees in supply chain management, industrial engineering, operations, or business analytics. Your DSO makes the final determination and must update your SEVIS record to reflect your employer. Keep documentation showing the academic connection between your degree and your job duties.