Biotech & Pharma Jobs in Iowa with F-1 OPT Sponsorship
F-1 OPT biotech and pharma sponsorship jobs in Iowa are concentrated around Des Moines, Iowa City, and Ames, where employers like Corteva Agriscience, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, and university-affiliated research institutions actively hire international graduates in life sciences, agricultural biotechnology, and pharmaceutical research roles.
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Get Access To All JobsBenefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Bonus based on performance
- Company parties
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Free food & snacks
- Free uniforms
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Department: | Sales
Job Location: | Chino CA, Grimes IA, or Mount Laurel NJ (On-site)
Employment: | Full-Time
FLSA Status: | Nonexempt
About us
Fenchem is a global supplier of specialty ingredients, serving customers across food & beverage, human nutrition, personal & home care, animal nutrition, performance materials, and agrochemical industries. Guided by science and a commitment to sustainability, we deliver high-quality, innovative solutions to customers worldwide. Learn more at: https://www.fenchem.com.
Job Summary
The Account Manager drives B2B sales growth by building strong customer relationships and delivering value-focused specialty ingredient solutions. This role is responsible for managing existing accounts, identifying new business opportunities, and collaborating with internal teams to support customer success. The ideal candidate is proactive, results-driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment. This role is expected to travel a minimum of 25% per month, with the expectation to increase up to 50% as business needs evolve, to support customer engagement and business development through face-to-face client engagement.
Responsibilities
1. Develop and maintain B2B customer relationships through regular communication and onsite visits.
2. Generate and qualify leads through market research, referrals, and proactive outreach.
3. Conduct research on target companies to understand their business and identify opportunities.
4. Present product solutions and recommendations to customers, demonstrating solid negotiation skills.
5. Attend customer meetings, conferences, and trade shows.
6. Negotiate pricing and commercial terms to achieve mutually beneficial agreements.
7. Analyze sales and customer data to identify trends and upselling opportunities.
8. Maintain accurate customer, pipeline, and task records in the CRM system.
9. Collaborate with internal departments (Accounting, Logistics, R&D, QA/QC) to support customer needs and resolve issues.
10. Manage contracts and ensure proper execution in line with company policies.
11. Achieve assigned sales targets and support long-term customer retention.
Required Skills
- Bachelor's degree.
- Proven experience in outside B2B sales, business development, or related roles.
- Willingness to travel as needed for client meetings, presentations, and industry events.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
Preferred Skills
- Micro-ingredients industry or B2B sales is a plus.
- Experience with CRM software, (e.g. Salesforce, HubSpot).
- Experience with ZoomInfo.
- Effective problem-solving abilities and time management skills.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay Structure: base pay plus uncapped commission opportunities
- BasePay: $28 ~ $38/hour (approximately $60,000 ~ $80,000 annually), based on experience
- Performance Review: eligible for a potential raise after 90 days based on performance
- Health Insurance: medical, dental, vision covering dependents; 100% employer paid options available
- Retirement Plan: 401(k) with employer matching up to 4%
- Reimbursement: business travel and mileage reimbursements
- Paid Sick Leave (PSL): 40 hours per year
- Paid Time Off (PTO): 7 days in the first year, with increases based on tenure
- Paid Holidays: 13 company-paid holidays per year
- Additional Perks: employee reward programs, birthday treats, complimentary office snacks
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Bonus based on performance
- Company parties
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Free food & snacks
- Free uniforms
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Department: | Sales
Job Location: | Chino CA, Grimes IA, or Mount Laurel NJ (On-site)
Employment: | Full-Time
FLSA Status: | Nonexempt
About us
Fenchem is a global supplier of specialty ingredients, serving customers across food & beverage, human nutrition, personal & home care, animal nutrition, performance materials, and agrochemical industries. Guided by science and a commitment to sustainability, we deliver high-quality, innovative solutions to customers worldwide. Learn more at: https://www.fenchem.com.
Job Summary
The Account Manager drives B2B sales growth by building strong customer relationships and delivering value-focused specialty ingredient solutions. This role is responsible for managing existing accounts, identifying new business opportunities, and collaborating with internal teams to support customer success. The ideal candidate is proactive, results-driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment. This role is expected to travel a minimum of 25% per month, with the expectation to increase up to 50% as business needs evolve, to support customer engagement and business development through face-to-face client engagement.
Responsibilities
1. Develop and maintain B2B customer relationships through regular communication and onsite visits.
2. Generate and qualify leads through market research, referrals, and proactive outreach.
3. Conduct research on target companies to understand their business and identify opportunities.
4. Present product solutions and recommendations to customers, demonstrating solid negotiation skills.
5. Attend customer meetings, conferences, and trade shows.
6. Negotiate pricing and commercial terms to achieve mutually beneficial agreements.
7. Analyze sales and customer data to identify trends and upselling opportunities.
8. Maintain accurate customer, pipeline, and task records in the CRM system.
9. Collaborate with internal departments (Accounting, Logistics, R&D, QA/QC) to support customer needs and resolve issues.
10. Manage contracts and ensure proper execution in line with company policies.
11. Achieve assigned sales targets and support long-term customer retention.
Required Skills
- Bachelor's degree.
- Proven experience in outside B2B sales, business development, or related roles.
- Willingness to travel as needed for client meetings, presentations, and industry events.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
Preferred Skills
- Micro-ingredients industry or B2B sales is a plus.
- Experience with CRM software, (e.g. Salesforce, HubSpot).
- Experience with ZoomInfo.
- Effective problem-solving abilities and time management skills.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay Structure: base pay plus uncapped commission opportunities
- BasePay: $28 ~ $38/hour (approximately $60,000 ~ $80,000 annually), based on experience
- Performance Review: eligible for a potential raise after 90 days based on performance
- Health Insurance: medical, dental, vision covering dependents; 100% employer paid options available
- Retirement Plan: 401(k) with employer matching up to 4%
- Reimbursement: business travel and mileage reimbursements
- Paid Sick Leave (PSL): 40 hours per year
- Paid Time Off (PTO): 7 days in the first year, with increases based on tenure
- Paid Holidays: 13 company-paid holidays per year
- Additional Perks: employee reward programs, birthday treats, complimentary office snacks
Job Roles in Biotech & Pharma in Iowa
See all 101+ Biotech & Pharma Iowa jobs
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Iowa?
Iowa employers with a track record of hiring F-1 OPT workers in biotech and pharma include Corteva Agriscience, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, and Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) in Coralville. University of Iowa Hospitals and affiliated research centers also hire OPT candidates in laboratory and research roles. Sponsorship patterns vary by role, department, and hiring cycle, so confirming authorization support directly with each employer is important.
Which cities in Iowa have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Coralville and Iowa City form Iowa's most active biotech corridor, anchored by the University of Iowa and companies like IDT. Ames supports life sciences hiring through Iowa State University partnerships and agricultural biotech firms. Des Moines has a smaller but growing presence in pharmaceutical distribution and healthcare-adjacent biotech. Most F-1 OPT sponsorship opportunities in the state are concentrated across these three metro areas.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Iowa?
Roles that align directly with a STEM degree field qualify for standard 12-month OPT, while positions in biological sciences, chemistry, agricultural biotechnology, and related engineering disciplines may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Common qualifying titles include research associate, quality control analyst, bioinformatics specialist, and process development scientist. The role must be directly related to your degree program, which employers and your designated school official (DSO) can help confirm.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters biotech and pharma jobs in Iowa by visa type, including F-1 OPT. Rather than sorting through general job boards that rarely flag sponsorship availability, Migrate Mate surfaces roles where employers have demonstrated willingness to work with OPT candidates. Filtering by Iowa and the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals category gives you a focused list relevant to your authorization status.
Are there any Iowa-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in biotech and pharma?
Iowa's biotech sector is heavily tied to agricultural science and veterinary pharmaceuticals, which shapes the types of STEM OPT-eligible roles available. Many positions are at smaller research firms or university spin-offs that may have less experience processing OPT employment verification, so confirming E-Verify enrollment and I-983 training plan support early in the hiring process is important for STEM extension eligibility. Iowa State University and University of Iowa career offices can also assist with employer outreach.
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