Food & Beverage OPT Jobs in Iowa
F-1 OPT food and beverage jobs in Iowa place you at the center of one of the country's most production-heavy agricultural states. Major employers like Tyson Foods, Iowa Premium, and Hy-Vee have operations across Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo, creating openings in food science, quality assurance, supply chain, and production management that regularly support OPT candidates.
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Company: Wells Enterprises (a Ferrero Company)
Functional Area: Quality Assurance
The Role
Under general supervision, performs microbiological and chemical analysis on finished product, raw materials, processing and environmental samples from manufacturing plants. Provides accurate laboratory testing to detect and enumerate organisms of interest by product in compliance with the ISO 17025 regulatory standards. Prepares media and reagents as required.
What You’ll Do
- Prepares and analyzes samples according to Standard Operating Procedures, FDA BAM procedures, and Standard methods for the Examination of Dairy Products.
- Performs procedures for quality control and quality assurance of all lab analyses.
- Accurately reads, interprets, records, and reports the results of laboratory tests. Reviews laboratory documentation before results are sent to appropriate departments to ensure accuracy.
- Performs proficiency testing on unknown specimens/allergens.
- Performs testing following good lab practices while following prescribed safety principles in general and specialty areas of the laboratory including (but not limited to) pathogen testing, bacterial confirmations, special request testing, allergen testing, quantitative analysis.
- Prepares media in accordance with the guidelines set out by the AOAC Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products, the FDA BAM Manual, and the Wells' Corporate Lab Media SOP's to meet the demands of the microbiology laboratory.
- Ensures that all media is properly handled, sterilized, and stored.
- Documents media preparation as required by the Microbiology SOP's.
- Performs daily, weekly or monthly calibration checks of laboratory test equipment.
- Cleans and maintains all laboratory equipment including but not limited to pipettors, scales, metric dispensers, storage equipment, incubators and refrigerators; responsible for general upkeep of laboratory.
- Maintains laboratory inventories of supplies, media, and reagents.
- Responsible for proper disposal of retained samples, and biohazardous materials.
Qualifications
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in the areas of Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or Food Science, or Associate’s degree with 1-3 years of experience is preferred.
- Must be fully trained in all lab testing/reading and complete all safety training on the job.
- Practices and principles of basic laboratory operations, techniques and procedures utilized in areas of microbiology and chemistry.
- Effective teamwork and communication, both written and verbal skills.
- Strong attention to detail, process flow and accuracy.
- Lab and computer skills (Microsoft Office).
- Safely and effectively operate lab equipment.
- Accurately evaluate color shades and quality.
- Ability to function in a fast-paced work environment.
- Reports to: Corporate Lab Supervisor
- Direct Reports: N/A
- Indirect Reports: N/A
Wells Enterprises is an EEO/AA employer M/F/Vet/Dis
About us
Wells Enterprises, a Ferrero company, is one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in the United States and the maker of well-loved brands including Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics and today Trolli, Butterfinger 100grand, Baby Ruth, Nutella and Kinder Bueno. Wells Enterprises is a $2 billion company employing 4,000 employees, across four production plants and two main hub locations, Chicago and Le Mars. Guided by innovation, quality, and a people-first mindset, Wells is committed to delighting consumers and developing exceptional teams. As part of the Ferrero Group, Wells combines its strong U.S. heritage with Ferrero’s global standards of excellence, offering a unique opportunity to grow within a dynamic, values-driven, and international environment. At Wells, our people—and their experience—sit at the heart of our ambition.
What We Offer
At Wells, we’re proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual incentive bonus based on Company performance.
Job Description
Company: Wells Enterprises (a Ferrero Company)
Functional Area: Quality Assurance
The Role
Under general supervision, performs microbiological and chemical analysis on finished product, raw materials, processing and environmental samples from manufacturing plants. Provides accurate laboratory testing to detect and enumerate organisms of interest by product in compliance with the ISO 17025 regulatory standards. Prepares media and reagents as required.
What You’ll Do
- Prepares and analyzes samples according to Standard Operating Procedures, FDA BAM procedures, and Standard methods for the Examination of Dairy Products.
- Performs procedures for quality control and quality assurance of all lab analyses.
- Accurately reads, interprets, records, and reports the results of laboratory tests. Reviews laboratory documentation before results are sent to appropriate departments to ensure accuracy.
- Performs proficiency testing on unknown specimens/allergens.
- Performs testing following good lab practices while following prescribed safety principles in general and specialty areas of the laboratory including (but not limited to) pathogen testing, bacterial confirmations, special request testing, allergen testing, quantitative analysis.
- Prepares media in accordance with the guidelines set out by the AOAC Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products, the FDA BAM Manual, and the Wells' Corporate Lab Media SOP's to meet the demands of the microbiology laboratory.
- Ensures that all media is properly handled, sterilized, and stored.
- Documents media preparation as required by the Microbiology SOP's.
- Performs daily, weekly or monthly calibration checks of laboratory test equipment.
- Cleans and maintains all laboratory equipment including but not limited to pipettors, scales, metric dispensers, storage equipment, incubators and refrigerators; responsible for general upkeep of laboratory.
- Maintains laboratory inventories of supplies, media, and reagents.
- Responsible for proper disposal of retained samples, and biohazardous materials.
Qualifications
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in the areas of Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or Food Science, or Associate’s degree with 1-3 years of experience is preferred.
- Must be fully trained in all lab testing/reading and complete all safety training on the job.
- Practices and principles of basic laboratory operations, techniques and procedures utilized in areas of microbiology and chemistry.
- Effective teamwork and communication, both written and verbal skills.
- Strong attention to detail, process flow and accuracy.
- Lab and computer skills (Microsoft Office).
- Safely and effectively operate lab equipment.
- Accurately evaluate color shades and quality.
- Ability to function in a fast-paced work environment.
- Reports to: Corporate Lab Supervisor
- Direct Reports: N/A
- Indirect Reports: N/A
Wells Enterprises is an EEO/AA employer M/F/Vet/Dis
About us
Wells Enterprises, a Ferrero company, is one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in the United States and the maker of well-loved brands including Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics and today Trolli, Butterfinger 100grand, Baby Ruth, Nutella and Kinder Bueno. Wells Enterprises is a $2 billion company employing 4,000 employees, across four production plants and two main hub locations, Chicago and Le Mars. Guided by innovation, quality, and a people-first mindset, Wells is committed to delighting consumers and developing exceptional teams. As part of the Ferrero Group, Wells combines its strong U.S. heritage with Ferrero’s global standards of excellence, offering a unique opportunity to grow within a dynamic, values-driven, and international environment. At Wells, our people—and their experience—sit at the heart of our ambition.
What We Offer
At Wells, we’re proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual incentive bonus based on Company performance.
OPT Food & Beverage Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in IowaFood & Beverage OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food and beverage companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Iowa?
Iowa's food and beverage industry includes large-scale processors and distributors with established OPT hiring patterns. Companies such as Tyson Foods, Cargill, Iowa Premium, and Hy-Vee have hired OPT candidates in technical and operations roles. Sponsorship practices vary by role, facility, and hiring cycle, so confirming OPT eligibility directly with each employer during the application process is important.
Which cities in Iowa have the most food and beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo concentrate the highest volume of food and beverage employment in Iowa. Des Moines hosts corporate and distribution functions, Cedar Rapids is a hub for grain processing and food manufacturing, and Waterloo has significant meat processing operations. Iowa City also sees openings tied to food science research connected to the University of Iowa.
What types of food and beverage roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align closely with a STEM-designated degree field tend to qualify most consistently for OPT, and STEM OPT extensions of up to 24 additional months. In food and beverage, this includes food science, food safety engineering, quality control, process engineering, supply chain analytics, and R&D positions. Roles requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field are the strongest fit for OPT authorization.
How do I find food & beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT eligibility, making it straightforward to identify food and beverage employers in Iowa actively open to OPT candidates. Rather than sifting through general listings, you can search by visa type and industry to surface roles at Iowa processors, manufacturers, and distributors that have a track record of supporting international students on OPT.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in Iowa's food and beverage sector?
Iowa's food and beverage industry is heavily tied to agricultural cycles, so hiring demand can shift seasonally. Many facilities operate under USDA oversight, which means roles often require background checks and compliance with federal food safety regulations before a start date. OPT candidates should confirm that their authorized employment start date aligns with any facility onboarding requirements, since delays can affect the OPT employment clock.