Food & Beverage STEM OPT Jobs in Indiana
Indiana's food and beverage sector spans major manufacturers in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Columbus, with companies like Cargill, Corteva Agriscience, and Eli Lilly's nutrition divisions drawing STEM talent. F-1 STEM OPT candidates with backgrounds in food science, agricultural engineering, or supply chain analytics find active sponsorship opportunities across the state's processing, R&D, and quality assurance operations.
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Get Access To All JobsAt Niagara, we’re looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.
Consider applying here, if you want to:
- Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
- Develop lasting relationships with great people.
- Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.
Plant QA Manager
Administers policies and programs ensuring that organizational products and processes meet established quality standards. Implement quality standards, ensures and executes compliance on every stage of the process.
Essential Functions
- Lead the facility in all Food Safety, Packaging Quality and Product Quality related activities.
- Serve as the primary plant liaison within the facility for all Company Quality Assurance Initiatives, Niagara Corporate Quality and Third Party Audits.
- Trend analytical data and develop initiatives to improve plant performance against Niagara quality measures and ensure plant compliance with company and regulatory standards.
- Track, analyze, and lead root cause analysis for all quality and customer complaint issues within the plant.
- Ensure compliance and record keeping for all mandated quality checks, testing, sampling and sanitation activities within the plant.
- Monitor the microbiological program; collect and conduct microbiological analysis of product and process samples when necessary.
- Perform water testing equipment evaluations and calibrations.
- Conduct regular reviews of the facility’s Pre-requisite Programs, GMP Compliance and Sanitation Compliance.
- Serve as the facility Food Safety Program Coordinator, HACCP Coordinator and SQF Practitioner.
- Manage budgeting, purchasing and inventory of QA operating supplies such as filters, chemicals and lab supplies.
- Monitor the performance and competencies of plant QA staff and provide leadership, coaching, discipline and development as needed.
- Assist the Research & Development team with formulation adjustments, product evaluations, and product launch activities.
- Maintain a safe work environment and support all plant safety programs.
- Assist with weekend and holiday coverage as needed.
Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- 6 Years – Experience in Field or similar manufacturing environment
- 6 Years – Experience in Position
- 4 Years – Experience managing people/projects
experience may include a combination of work experience and education
- Computer literate with proficiency in, but not limited to: Microsoft Office Applications, Visio, Oracle Business Systems, Infinity QS, etc.
- Detail-Oriented with Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills.
- Knowledge of water chemistry, microbiological analysis methods, chemical analysis methods, laboratory systems and beverage sanitation practices.
- Demonstrated ability to use data for creative problem solving, experience using statistical software packages.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 10+ Years – Experience in Field or similar manufacturing environment
- 10+ Years – Experience working in Position
- 6 Years – Experience managing people/projects
experience may include a combination of work experience and education
Competencies
This position embodies the values of Niagara’s LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:
- Lead Like an Owner
- Manages a safe working environment, accurately documents safety related training, and effectively communicates safety incidents.
- Provides strategic input and oversight to departmental projects.
- Makes data driven decisions and develops sustainable solutions.
- Skilled in reducing costs and managing timelines while prioritizing long run impact over short term wins.
- Makes decisions by putting overall company success first before department/individual success.
- Leads/facilitates discussions to get positive outcomes for the customer.
-
Makes strategic decisions which prioritize the needs of the customer over departmental/individual goals.
-
InnovACT
- Continuously evaluates existing programs and processes, and develops new initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
- Creates, monitors, and responds to departmental performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
-
Communicates a clear vision, organizes resources effectively, and adjusts the strategy as needed when managing change.
-
Find a Way
- Demonstrates ability to think analytically and synthesize complex information.
- Effectively delegates technical tasks to subordinates.
- Works effectively with departments, vendors, and customers to achieve organizational success.
-
Identifies opportunities for collaboration in strategic ways.
-
Empowered to be Great
- Makes hiring decisions primarily based on culture fit and attitude, and secondarily based on technical expertise.
- Engages in long term talent planning.
- Provides opportunities for the development of all direct reports.
- Understands, identifies, and addresses conflict within own team and between teams.
Education
Minimum Required:
- Bachelor's Degree in Food Science/Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Engineering or other related field
Preferred:
- Master's Degree in Food Science/Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Engineering or other related field
Certification/License:
Required: N/A
Preferred: HACCP Certification
Foreign Language
Required: None Required
Preferred: None Required
Benefits
Our Total Rewards package is thoughtfully designed to support both you and your family:
Regular full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package, while part-time, intern, and seasonal team members are offered a limited benefits package.
- Paid Time Off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time
- Paid parental and caregiver leaves
- Medical, including virtual care options
- Dental
- Vision
- 401(k) with company match
- Health Savings Account with company match
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions for all team members and household family members
- Family Building Benefits including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation plus adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements
- Income protection including Life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness and an accident plan
- Special discount programs including pet plans, pre-paid legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking, etc.
- Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan and scholarship opportunities
- And more!
** *Los Angeles County applicants only** Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws.
Any employment agency, person or entity that submits a résumé into this career site or to a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's résumé will become the property of Niagara Bottling, LLC. Niagara Bottling, LLC will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.
Employment agencies that have fee agreements with Niagara Bottling, LLC and have been engaged on a search shall submit résumé to the designated Niagara Bottling, LLC recruiter or, upon authorization, submit résumé into this career site to be eligible for placement fees.
Niagara Plant Name
PLAINFIELD
At Niagara, we’re looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.
Consider applying here, if you want to:
- Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
- Develop lasting relationships with great people.
- Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.
Plant QA Manager
Administers policies and programs ensuring that organizational products and processes meet established quality standards. Implement quality standards, ensures and executes compliance on every stage of the process.
Essential Functions
- Lead the facility in all Food Safety, Packaging Quality and Product Quality related activities.
- Serve as the primary plant liaison within the facility for all Company Quality Assurance Initiatives, Niagara Corporate Quality and Third Party Audits.
- Trend analytical data and develop initiatives to improve plant performance against Niagara quality measures and ensure plant compliance with company and regulatory standards.
- Track, analyze, and lead root cause analysis for all quality and customer complaint issues within the plant.
- Ensure compliance and record keeping for all mandated quality checks, testing, sampling and sanitation activities within the plant.
- Monitor the microbiological program; collect and conduct microbiological analysis of product and process samples when necessary.
- Perform water testing equipment evaluations and calibrations.
- Conduct regular reviews of the facility’s Pre-requisite Programs, GMP Compliance and Sanitation Compliance.
- Serve as the facility Food Safety Program Coordinator, HACCP Coordinator and SQF Practitioner.
- Manage budgeting, purchasing and inventory of QA operating supplies such as filters, chemicals and lab supplies.
- Monitor the performance and competencies of plant QA staff and provide leadership, coaching, discipline and development as needed.
- Assist the Research & Development team with formulation adjustments, product evaluations, and product launch activities.
- Maintain a safe work environment and support all plant safety programs.
- Assist with weekend and holiday coverage as needed.
Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- 6 Years – Experience in Field or similar manufacturing environment
- 6 Years – Experience in Position
- 4 Years – Experience managing people/projects
experience may include a combination of work experience and education
- Computer literate with proficiency in, but not limited to: Microsoft Office Applications, Visio, Oracle Business Systems, Infinity QS, etc.
- Detail-Oriented with Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills.
- Knowledge of water chemistry, microbiological analysis methods, chemical analysis methods, laboratory systems and beverage sanitation practices.
- Demonstrated ability to use data for creative problem solving, experience using statistical software packages.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 10+ Years – Experience in Field or similar manufacturing environment
- 10+ Years – Experience working in Position
- 6 Years – Experience managing people/projects
experience may include a combination of work experience and education
Competencies
This position embodies the values of Niagara’s LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:
- Lead Like an Owner
- Manages a safe working environment, accurately documents safety related training, and effectively communicates safety incidents.
- Provides strategic input and oversight to departmental projects.
- Makes data driven decisions and develops sustainable solutions.
- Skilled in reducing costs and managing timelines while prioritizing long run impact over short term wins.
- Makes decisions by putting overall company success first before department/individual success.
- Leads/facilitates discussions to get positive outcomes for the customer.
-
Makes strategic decisions which prioritize the needs of the customer over departmental/individual goals.
-
InnovACT
- Continuously evaluates existing programs and processes, and develops new initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
- Creates, monitors, and responds to departmental performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
-
Communicates a clear vision, organizes resources effectively, and adjusts the strategy as needed when managing change.
-
Find a Way
- Demonstrates ability to think analytically and synthesize complex information.
- Effectively delegates technical tasks to subordinates.
- Works effectively with departments, vendors, and customers to achieve organizational success.
-
Identifies opportunities for collaboration in strategic ways.
-
Empowered to be Great
- Makes hiring decisions primarily based on culture fit and attitude, and secondarily based on technical expertise.
- Engages in long term talent planning.
- Provides opportunities for the development of all direct reports.
- Understands, identifies, and addresses conflict within own team and between teams.
Education
Minimum Required:
- Bachelor's Degree in Food Science/Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Engineering or other related field
Preferred:
- Master's Degree in Food Science/Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Engineering or other related field
Certification/License:
Required: N/A
Preferred: HACCP Certification
Foreign Language
Required: None Required
Preferred: None Required
Benefits
Our Total Rewards package is thoughtfully designed to support both you and your family:
Regular full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package, while part-time, intern, and seasonal team members are offered a limited benefits package.
- Paid Time Off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time
- Paid parental and caregiver leaves
- Medical, including virtual care options
- Dental
- Vision
- 401(k) with company match
- Health Savings Account with company match
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions for all team members and household family members
- Family Building Benefits including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation plus adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements
- Income protection including Life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness and an accident plan
- Special discount programs including pet plans, pre-paid legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking, etc.
- Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan and scholarship opportunities
- And more!
** *Los Angeles County applicants only** Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws.
Any employment agency, person or entity that submits a résumé into this career site or to a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's résumé will become the property of Niagara Bottling, LLC. Niagara Bottling, LLC will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.
Employment agencies that have fee agreements with Niagara Bottling, LLC and have been engaged on a search shall submit résumé to the designated Niagara Bottling, LLC recruiter or, upon authorization, submit résumé into this career site to be eligible for placement fees.
Niagara Plant Name
PLAINFIELD
STEM OPT Food & Beverage Job Roles in Indiana
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in IndianaFood & Beverage STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Indiana: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food & beverage companies in Indiana have sponsored F-1 STEM OPT workers?
Companies with documented sponsorship activity in Indiana's food and beverage sector include Cargill, whose grain and protein processing operations are spread across the state, as well as Corteva Agriscience in Indianapolis, which works at the intersection of agricultural science and food supply. Mid-size food manufacturers and ingredient producers in the Columbus and Fort Wayne corridors have also filed Labor Condition Applications for roles. Sponsorship patterns vary by year and role availability, so reviewing DOL disclosure data gives the clearest picture of recent activity.
Which Indiana cities have the most food & beverage F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Indianapolis concentrates the most sponsorship activity, hosting corporate headquarters, R&D centers, and food science operations for several large producers. Fort Wayne supports a growing food manufacturing base, including meat processing and grain operations that regularly hire engineers and quality specialists. Columbus, Indiana has drawn food and beverage investment tied to its broader advanced manufacturing growth. Smaller markets like Muncie and Lafayette also see periodic openings tied to university-adjacent food science programs and nearby processing facilities.
What types of food & beverage roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Indiana?
Roles that consistently qualify are those tied to STEM-designated degree fields. In Indiana's food and beverage sector, that includes food scientist, food engineer, quality assurance engineer, process engineer, supply chain analyst, and data analyst positions within production or R&D environments. The role must require a degree in a STEM field and the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Positions in general management, sales, or non-technical operations typically do not meet the STEM OPT specialty occupation standard under current USCIS guidance.
How do I find food & beverage F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Indiana?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 STEM OPT eligibility, so you can search Indiana food and beverage roles without manually cross-checking each employer's E-Verify status or sponsorship history. The platform surfaces companies with verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing records in the food and beverage sector, narrowing your search to employers who have demonstrably sponsored international candidates before. This saves significant time compared to reviewing raw OFLC disclosure data yourself.
Are there any Indiana-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in food & beverage?
Indiana does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal standards, but a few practical factors matter. Many food and beverage facilities in Indiana operate on production schedules that require on-site presence, which limits remote-work flexibility compared to tech sectors. Indiana's agricultural economy means a higher share of roles are tied to seasonal production cycles, potentially affecting hiring windows. Candidates should also confirm the specific facility is covered under the employer's E-Verify enrollment, as large companies sometimes enroll by subsidiary or location rather than enterprise-wide.