Food & Beverage E-3 Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Food and beverage E-3 visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, home to major employers like Kraft Heinz, McDonald's corporate headquarters, and a dense hospitality and food manufacturing sector. Roles in food science, quality assurance, supply chain, and culinary management are among the most active for E-3 sponsorship across the state.
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Sr. Project Manager, Customer R&D
Location:
Chicago, US, 60654
Pennsauken, US, 8110
At Barry Callebaut, we are on a journey to transform the cocoa and chocolate industry. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, our actions truly shape the future of our industry. We are a business-to-business company, serving the entire food sector, from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate product. We are a company with a purpose, we believe in doing well by doing good and reinvesting in the communities we operate. We have a long-standing commitment to sustainability and our goal is to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future. We are headquartered in Zurich, and have more than 12,000 passionate Employees working in more than 40 countries worldwide. We are very proud of who we are and what we do. And of course, we are always looking for talented people to help us have a positive impact on our industry and beyond!
About the role:
Barry Callebaut is a global organization poised for growth; a company which has embraced the vision to delight its customers, while outperforming its competitors, a business which is committed to sustainability, has innovation in its DNA, is a leader in complex manufacturing and supply chain solutions and is focused on being a best-in-class employer. Barry Callebaut seeks diverse and passionate people who thrive in a dynamic environment, focused on continuous learning, living BC’s Values and of course loving chocolate.
Under the responsibility of the R&D Director, the Sr. Customer R&D Project Manager will be responsible for managing complex R&D projects and for the development of new products. The Sr. Customer R&D Project Manager linked to the relevant Salesperson(s) and their corresponding customers has a broad responsibility. The role will be responsible for translating customer requirements into projects and new products, resulting in growth in volumes and margins. The individual in this role will be a highly influential key technical contact and solution provider for the customer. He or she is also the go-to person when technical expertise/support is needed and will be actively involved in internal strategic projects.
We are seeking a candidate with substantial experience as a Senior Customer R&D Project Manager, displaying technical expertise in food chemistry and a proven track record in problem-solving. The ideal candidate should demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, strong leadership abilities, and the ability to deliver results in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Excellent communication skills are essential to effectively engage with customers and internal stakeholders (Sales, Operations, Quality, etc.). The candidate should possess a keen attention to detail and the ability to lead projects from inception to completion, effectively influencing key stakeholders. Extensive experience in the chocolate or cocoa industry is highly advantageous for handling larger and more complex projects or customers. The Senior Customer R&D Project Manager serves as the primary technical contact for the customer, representing the face of Barry Callebaut. This role involves leading projects internally from start to finish while influencing key stakeholders throughout the process.
Key responsibilities include:
- Project Management: Lead and manage complex new product development projects from theoretical recipe to lab prototype and industrial product for internal and external clients. Ensure full project follow-up and completion of necessary project documents, including recipe creation. Drive complete project from concept to commercialization.
- Project Leadership: Provide guidance and direction to the R&D product experts and technologists, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. Translate technical learnings and insights into commercial opportunities. Lead also customer projects for PDI or innovations with our Product Experts and Innovation people.
- Technical Expertise: Offer necessary technical support and expertise to vendors, customers, operations and quality when product-related problems occur. Advise the sales team on technical and application matters. Provide assistance to all departments as needed regarding technical issues related to confectionery product manufacturing.
- Customer Engagement: Actively participate in customer visits and plant trials, providing technical expertise and support to drive successful customer projects.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively participate in various projects of the Research and Development team, maintaining close interaction with Sales, Operations, Quality, Sourcing and cocoa R&D within the country or region.
- Customer Relations: Serve as the key technical contact for the customer, building strong relationships and effectively communicating project updates, technical recommendations, and solutions.
- Market Development: Identify and pursue new market opportunities by providing technical support and insights to existing and potential customers.
- Project Documentation: Oversee, ensure and complete accurate and comprehensive project follow-up, documentation, including recipe creation.
About you:
- Education: Master's Degree in Food Technology Sciences, Food Engineering, or Food Science. Or equal due to experience.
- Language Proficiency: Fluent in the local country language and proficient in English.
- Experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in the food industry, with a strong focus on new product development. Extensive knowledge of the confectionery sector is highly desirable.
- Leadership Abilities: Proven experience in leading and managing cross-functional teams. Ability to inspire, motivate, and develop team members.
- Personal Attributes: Solution driven, capable of working under pressure, and managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Interpersonal Skills: Excellent teamwork, communication, and leadership of influence.
- Analytical Abilities: Strong analytical mindset, with the ability to translate technical findings into actionable insights and commercial opportunities.
- Flexibility: Flexibility and willingness to travel as needed. Travel requirements: up to 30% of time.
- Communication Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills, including external customer communication. Ability to present technical information in a clear and concise manner.
- Software Knowledge: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, Google suites and Salesforce required. Knowledge of SAP or other project management software is an asset.
What you can expect from Barry Callebaut:
- Salary Range of $110,000 - $138,000, depending on factors such as experience and location, plus annual bonus and our comprehensive benefits package.
- MyFlex PTO (unlimited!) and Paid Holidays.
- Hybrid work environment.
- An atmosphere where diversity is embraced, and inclusivity is second nature. We call it #OneBC! Just ask our champions with the Americas Women’s Forum and the Racial Equality Forum!
- Ability to grow personally and professionally within an organization that values development and internal career growth.
- Be part of our mission in making sustainability the norm through Forever Chocolate with priorities centered around prospering farmers, zero child labor, carbon and forest positive, and creating 100% sustainable ingredients in all of our products.
At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.
If you want to learn more about Barry Callebaut, please find further information here.
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E-3 Food & Beverage Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in IllinoisFood & Beverage E-3 Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food and beverage companies in Illinois sponsor E-3 visas?
Illinois is home to several large food and beverage companies with established international hiring track records, including Kraft Heinz, McDonald's (corporate), Mondelez International, and U.S. Foods, all headquartered in or near Chicago. Smaller specialty food manufacturers and hospitality groups in the Chicago metro area also sponsor E-3 visas, though sponsorship practices vary by role, department, and current hiring needs.
Which cities in Illinois have the most food and beverage E-3 sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the large majority of food and beverage E-3 opportunities in Illinois, driven by its concentration of corporate food company headquarters, food manufacturing facilities, and a substantial hospitality industry. Suburbs including Deerfield, Northfield, and Schaumburg also host corporate offices for major food brands. Downstate cities like Peoria and Rockford have food processing operations but see considerably fewer E-3 sponsorship roles.
What types of food and beverage roles typically qualify for E-3 sponsorship in Illinois?
E-3 sponsorship requires the role to qualify as a specialty occupation, meaning it normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. In food and beverage, roles that commonly meet this standard include food scientist, quality assurance manager, regulatory affairs specialist, supply chain analyst, and product development manager. Front-of-house hospitality or general production roles typically do not qualify because they do not require a specific degree field.
How do I find food & beverage E-3 sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to search for food and beverage E-3 sponsorship jobs in Illinois, since listings are filtered specifically for E-3 eligible roles with employers willing to sponsor. Beyond the platform, targeting Chicago-based food and beverage companies with large corporate functions increases your chances, as these employers are more likely to have HR teams experienced with visa sponsorship processes for specialty occupation roles.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for E-3 sponsorship in food and beverage?
Illinois employers must file a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor before sponsoring an E-3 worker, and Chicago's prevailing wages for food science and supply chain roles are generally higher than national averages, which affects the wage your employer must certify. Illinois has no state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal obligations, but larger Illinois food companies are generally more familiar with the E-3 process than smaller regional employers.
What is the prevailing wage for E-3 food & beverage jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.