Chemicals & Materials OPT Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is one of the strongest states for chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship, anchored by major employers like BASF, Dow, Abbott, and Cabot Microelectronics in the Chicago metro, Joliet, and Schaumburg corridors. The state's dense concentration of chemical manufacturing, specialty materials, and life sciences firms creates consistent demand for OPT-eligible engineers, chemists, and materials scientists.
Find Chemicals & Materials JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 63+ Chemicals & Materials OPT Jobs in Illinois


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 63+ Chemicals & Materials OPT Jobs in Illinois
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Chemicals & Materials OPT Jobs in Illinois.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
Airgas is Hiring for a New Business Development Representative in Bloomington, IL!
We are looking for you!
Total Rewards: This role features a starting base pay of $60,000-$70,000 annually plus commission opportunities.
Monthly auto allowance
Travel within assigned territory, minimal overnights
Comprehensive Family Benefits: Airgas offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance.
Support for Parents: We offer up to a 14-week paid child birth benefit to support growing families.
Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time.
Early Access:* Your benefits start after just 30 days of employment
Recruiter: Abby Chroniger | abigail.chroniger@airliquide.com | (445) 289-1577
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The New Business Development Manager is responsible for managing the sales process and advancing profitable sales growth within an assigned market area for new Airgas customers. They are responsible for meeting and surpassing both organizational and regional milestones for profitable sales growth, A/R management, and customer retention within their assigned area. The successful candidate will be one who can build and nurture relationships and provide solutions to new Airgas customers, utilizing technology to enhance their overall effectiveness.
- Develops and implements sales plans utilizing Airgas' sales initiatives and guidelines in order to obtain orders, and establish new accounts.
- Qualifies and connects with sales leads.
- Nurtures customer relationships by developing a thorough understanding of the customer's business and establishing a consultative relationship.
- Prepares sales proposals by quoting pricing, establishing credit terms, and estimated date of delivery to customer based on knowledge of Airgas' production/delivery schedules and logistics.
- Keeps current with industry insights, current Airgas product mixes, and stays informed of market trends by gathering current relevant marketplace intelligence including information on pricing, products, new products, delivery schedules, and merchandising techniques.
- Collaborates with internal resources to accomplish success milestones. Establishes and maintains clear and consistent lines of communication with internal departments relative to customer successes, customer opportunities, new customer developments and other customer specific information.
- Maintains and submits sales reports (daily call reports, weekly work plans, and monthly and annual territory analyses) as requested by District Manager through SAP.
- Actively reviews and manages Accounts Receivable balances to help protect Airgas working capital investment and support the reduction of financial risk.
ARE YOU A MATCH?
Required Qualifications:
Reliable transportation, current driver's license, minimum liability insurance as required by state of vehicle registration.
Proficiency in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce) and Google Suites.
Prior outside business-to-business sales experience to include proven experience and success in solution-selling concepts and a demonstrated history of managing customers throughout a defined sales territory.
Knowledge of customer segmentation and ability to prioritize the targeting of customers delivering the highest value to Airgas.
Proven success using a consultative sales approach providing multiple layers of value to a customer to establish a mix sales solutions and products.
Proven success of using their deep knowledge of customer's business, current macro- and microeconomic trends, industry trends, and potential new business opportunities.
Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with industrial and specialty gases, or a background in industrial gas & welding supply sales, is considered a valuable addition to the team.
SAP experience is preferred.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent (4 years) work experience.
3+ years of outside sales experience preferred.
BENEFITS
We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.
Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.
Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement to determine whether they are eligible for some or all of the benefits described here and to see any special terms or conditions for eligibility.
YOUR DIFFERENCES ENHANCE OUR PERFORMANCE
At Airgas, we are committed to building a workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.
We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.
ABOUT AIRGAS
Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions.
Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.
Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you’ll find a welcoming workplace where you’re valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career — whatever path you choose.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION
We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at us-accommodationrequest@airgas.com.
California Privacy Notice
OPT Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Illinois
See all 63+ Chemicals & Materials OPT Jobs in Illinois
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in IllinoisChemicals & Materials OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals and materials companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Illinois?
Several large Illinois-based employers have a documented history of hiring F-1 OPT workers in chemicals and materials roles, including BASF Corporation (Florham Park operations extend hiring into Illinois), Dow, Abbott Laboratories, Cabot Microelectronics, and Stepan Company. Smaller specialty chemical firms and contract manufacturers in the Chicago metro and Illinois Research Triangle area also participate in OPT hiring, particularly for engineering and R&D positions.
Which cities in Illinois have the most chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Chicago metro area accounts for the largest share of chemicals and materials OPT roles in Illinois, with significant hiring activity in Schaumburg, Joliet, Elgin, and the North Shore suburbs. Naperville and the broader I-88 research corridor also host several specialty chemicals and advanced materials firms. Downstate, Decatur and East St. Louis have chemical manufacturing operations tied to agricultural and industrial processing industries.
What types of chemicals and materials roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that directly apply a student's degree field are the clearest fit for OPT authorization. In chemicals and materials, this includes process engineering, materials characterization, polymer research, quality control chemistry, formulation science, and analytical lab positions. Roles in environmental compliance, chemical process design, and coatings R&D also commonly qualify when the position requires a relevant technical degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science.
How do I find chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters jobs by visa type, industry, and state, making it straightforward to browse chemicals and materials F-1 OPT roles in Illinois without sifting through listings that don't sponsor. Search by the F-1 OPT filter alongside the chemicals and materials category to surface employers actively hiring in Illinois. Combining this with direct outreach to Illinois-based chemical firms can strengthen your search.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in chemicals and materials?
Illinois has a significant proportion of chemicals and materials employers tied to regulated industries like pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and semiconductor materials, which can affect hiring timelines due to background checks and security clearance requirements at some facilities. STEM OPT extension eligibility is particularly relevant here since most technical roles in this industry qualify, giving graduates up to 36 months of work authorization and additional time to pursue H-1B visa sponsorship.