OPT Supply Chain Planning Jobs
Supply chain planning roles qualify for OPT work authorization, and many employers in manufacturing, retail, and logistics actively hire F-1 graduates. Most positions require a degree in supply chain management, industrial engineering, or operations. Your 12-month OPT window (36 months for STEM-eligible graduates) gives you real runway to prove yourself and secure H-1B visa sponsorship.
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At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.
Overview:
At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, more active lives. Not only do we deliver breakthrough medications, but you also can count on us to develop creative solutions to support communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.
Position Description:
The Associate will be assigned specific projects that support Concord, NC Supply Chain / Logistics Department. These Projects may include product or sourcing changes, materials / vendor onboarding, process improvements or specific departmental or organizational needs and may require data gathering, financial analysis, solution development, and planning to deliver specific objectives or results.
Change Control management will be an essential element of successfully achieving objectives.
Responsibilities:
- Provide operational and project support for the business responsibilities of the Supply Chain / Logistics team – product forecasting and planning, inventory control, purchasing, customer support, etc.
- Special Projects - focus on specific project workload that may be selected and given by local Management. Project work will require individual initiative to deliver analysis, propose solutions, and work with a variety of Departments to develop and deliver solutions.
- Corporate and Strategic Initiatives - The Associate is to provide support for specific manufacturing and strategic initiatives that may occur. Examples of such initiatives are IT systems updates, manufacturing sourcing changes, long range planning, product variation introduction i.e. new flavors, etc.
- Procedures and Process Development - Assist with the development and implementation of new and revised processes and procedures as required.
- Business Analysis - Provide analysis of specific operational or business processes as identified by management. Design and develop for approval efficiency improvements. Implement and seek additional opportunities for replication.
- Material / vendors onboarding and gathering required documentation / assessment to ensure completion of required milestones.
- Change Management - Manage all projects within the local Change Control system. Previous experience writing, coordinating, presenting, and managing TrackWise projects with multiple deliverables is necessary.
- TrackWise Event Management – Act as lead investigator for various Logistics events, performing root cause analysis, and documenting the investigation per the local event management procedure.
Requirements (Education, Experience, Training):
- Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management or other technical field of study.
Preferred attributes but not required:
- Experience in Change Control Management.
- Technical Skills - understanding and appreciation of GMP requirements and previous experience with change management in a regulated environment.
- Project Skills - understanding of various elements required to analyze, develop and deliver solutions to business problems. Ability to create project plans, monitor schedules, and manage implementation of projects necessary. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
- Communication Skills - good communication skills. Ability to communicate ideas for new projects and new processes, so that projects/processes can be approved, implemented and replicated.
- Experience in Pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain, or distribution operations preferable.
- Understanding of how the following processes/systems impact Logistics projects: Commissioning/Qualification/Validation, Warehouse Operations, development of printed and non-printed components, MES, SAP, Specifications, and Regulatory reporting.
- Familiarity with the following: TrackWise, Veeva, OneNote, and Impact Assessment Tools.
- Prior experience working on projects to introduce existing products into new markets and on projects to introduce new products into launch markets.
Additional Information:
- Normal workday: Monday through Friday.
- May need to be available off shift to respond to operational issues as needed.
- Travel may be required.
Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.
Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).
Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $58,500 - $137,500.
Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Supply Chain Planning
Target STEM-designated programs
Supply chain and operations management degrees from USCIS-recognized STEM programs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying, as this nearly triples your authorized work window.
Focus on employers with H-1B filing history
Large manufacturers, retailers, and logistics companies file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Prioritize companies with established HR infrastructure and immigration support teams, as they understand the sponsorship process and are far less likely to back out when your OPT expires.
Emphasize quantifiable impact from day one
Sponsorship decisions often hinge on demonstrated value. Track metrics like forecast accuracy improvements, inventory reduction percentages, or cost savings from your planning work. Concrete numbers make the business case for sponsoring you significantly easier to justify internally.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations
You must report employer changes, address updates, and unemployment gaps to your DSO within 10 days. Supply chain roles sometimes involve project-based work or short contracts, so staying compliant during transitions protects your status and your future sponsorship eligibility.
Get ERP and planning software certifications
Certifications in SAP, Oracle, or supply chain planning tools like Kinaxis and o9 signal specialized expertise employers struggle to hire for. These credentials strengthen your H-1B specialty occupation case and differentiate you in competitive applicant pools during the annual lottery cycle.
Bring up sponsorship after an offer, not before
Raising visa sponsorship too early in interviews can derail otherwise strong candidacies. Wait until you have a verbal offer, then address OPT work authorization clearly and calmly. Most employers in supply chain are familiar with OPT and treat it as a standard hiring consideration.
Supply Chain Planning OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do supply chain planning jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Most supply chain planning roles do qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but eligibility depends on your degree, not your job title. Degrees in supply chain management, industrial engineering, operations research, and logistics are commonly STEM-designated. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO, and verify your employer can fulfill the formal I-983 training plan requirement before accepting an offer.
How do I find supply chain planning employers who sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters supply chain planning jobs by sponsorship willingness, so you're not wasting applications on employers who won't consider visa holders. Beyond the job board, focus on larger companies in manufacturing, retail, and third-party logistics, where dedicated HR teams and repeat H-1B filings signal genuine sponsorship infrastructure.
Is supply chain planning considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Supply chain planning generally qualifies as a specialty occupation when the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field like supply chain management, industrial engineering, or operations research. Roles involving demand forecasting, inventory optimization, or S&OP processes typically meet this threshold. Avoid applying to positions where the job description accepts any degree field, as this weakens the specialty occupation argument considerably.
Can I work as a supply chain planning contractor on OPT?
Yes, but with important caveats. OPT allows contract and consulting work as long as the work is directly related to your degree field and you work at least 20 hours per week. Self-employment through your own business entity also counts. However, you must still report each engagement to your DSO, and gaps between contracts count against your 90-day unemployment limit.
What happens to my OPT if my supply chain employer is acquired or restructures?
A merger, acquisition, or internal restructuring does not automatically invalidate your OPT, but you must report the employer change to your DSO within 10 days. If your job title or department changes significantly, confirm the new role still aligns with your degree field. For STEM OPT holders, major employer changes also require an updated I-983 training plan reflecting the new organizational structure.