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: Engineering
The Role
Primarily responsible for the planning and execution of the Early Equipment Management process (EEM). Which includes OEM relationship, Design for Reliability, build of Asset BOM’s and initial PM plan build. Additionally, this position will be able to fill in or assist the planner group with standard planner responsibilities. Responsible for planning, scheduling, coordinating and assigning work for Tech Services teams. Ensures the on-time completion of work orders, the efficient use of resources, and the quality of the work order data. Drive’s reliability concepts through PM creation and upkeep.
What You’ll Do
- Build relationships with OEM’s and other manufacturers so that, direct person to person communications take place on design and specifications of new equipment builds. Work with the Engineering team and project managers to Drive for Design for Reliability (DFR) and Design for Maintainability (DFM) via a pre FAT Design Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (D-FMEA) in all new equipment purchases.
- Develop partnerships to enable the open disclosure of all Asset build data from the manufacturer to enable collection of the asset BOM and other recommended PM type activities. Utilize the MOC process to ensure any build changes are documented and brought forward to our production Asset Care Programs.
- Take the OEM build data along with information gleaned from the D-FMEA and create the list of recommended spare parts. Review with plant technical groups to gain alignment and process new items through Sparetech NIR process.
- Responsible for the initial build or framework for the 30-60-90-day PM activities. Work with the assigned planner to modify as the asset matures and begin to build 180 and 365 REO plans and ensure they are in place at least 6 months prior to the execution date of the REO.
- Reviews, organizes, and coordinates all incoming non-emergent work orders. Reviews for start and completion dates, work type, scope, priority, and estimates of man-hours. Uploads employee work schedule into Viziya utilizing input from maintenance supervisors. Compare and contrasts available labor force to the forecasted work demand and machine availability as well as material needs to develop a forecasted work schedule. Provides forecasted work schedule and collaborates with operations, maintenance and reliability teams to review and approve a work schedule for the following week.
- Plans schedules and prepares detailed repair type work orders. Includes materials, skilled labor, work plan, and asset availability. Responsible for establishing and resetting daily priorities of work as necessary for prompt completion of work assignments and adherence to schedules.
- Creates and enhances PM reference procedures and provides training on these documents. Create parts lists and kits for PM's and ensure that all items are on hand as needed by working with purchasing and inventory groups. Organize and manage the assignment of predictive documentation responsibilities associated with Planned Work.
- Plans and organizes regular equipment preventative and predictive maintenance functions for all fluid utilities assets and coordinates with Operations to manage the annuals/REOs for production-based equipment.
Qualifications
What You’ll Bring
- Certified Maintenance Planner. Associate’s degree in Engineering or related field preferred, CMRP certification preferred.
- 3-5 years in a relative manufacturing industry as a maintenance planner. 5-10 years in the maintenance and or reliability field in an industrial setting. Oracle EAM, Viziya and or other maintenance planning platforms.
- Knowledge – Vast knowledge in ice cream industry equipment and processes. Expert knowledge of Proactive Work Planning. Highly knowledgeable of Oracle EAM and Planning processes. Highly organized.
- Skills – Must have exceptional computer skills. Highly Effective communicator, influencer and team player. Highly proficient with data management and organization of data. Must have exceptional working knowledge of computer software, including Excel, Word, and be proficient with Oracle EAM or other work order management system. Must have exceptional communication and leadership skills.
- Abilities – Work Independently, lead by example and work collaboratively and cross functionally. Adapts to change quickly and is driving new concepts.
- Reports to – Sr Manager EEM/EAM
- Direct Reports – None
- Indirect Reports – None
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 4 production plants and 2 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: Engineering
The Role
Primarily responsible for the planning and execution of the Early Equipment Management process (EEM). Which includes OEM relationship, Design for Reliability, build of Asset BOM’s and initial PM plan build. Additionally, this position will be able to fill in or assist the planner group with standard planner responsibilities. Responsible for planning, scheduling, coordinating and assigning work for Tech Services teams. Ensures the on-time completion of work orders, the efficient use of resources, and the quality of the work order data. Drive’s reliability concepts through PM creation and upkeep.
What You’ll Do
- Build relationships with OEM’s and other manufacturers so that, direct person to person communications take place on design and specifications of new equipment builds. Work with the Engineering team and project managers to Drive for Design for Reliability (DFR) and Design for Maintainability (DFM) via a pre FAT Design Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (D-FMEA) in all new equipment purchases.
- Develop partnerships to enable the open disclosure of all Asset build data from the manufacturer to enable collection of the asset BOM and other recommended PM type activities. Utilize the MOC process to ensure any build changes are documented and brought forward to our production Asset Care Programs.
- Take the OEM build data along with information gleaned from the D-FMEA and create the list of recommended spare parts. Review with plant technical groups to gain alignment and process new items through Sparetech NIR process.
- Responsible for the initial build or framework for the 30-60-90-day PM activities. Work with the assigned planner to modify as the asset matures and begin to build 180 and 365 REO plans and ensure they are in place at least 6 months prior to the execution date of the REO.
- Reviews, organizes, and coordinates all incoming non-emergent work orders. Reviews for start and completion dates, work type, scope, priority, and estimates of man-hours. Uploads employee work schedule into Viziya utilizing input from maintenance supervisors. Compare and contrasts available labor force to the forecasted work demand and machine availability as well as material needs to develop a forecasted work schedule. Provides forecasted work schedule and collaborates with operations, maintenance and reliability teams to review and approve a work schedule for the following week.
- Plans schedules and prepares detailed repair type work orders. Includes materials, skilled labor, work plan, and asset availability. Responsible for establishing and resetting daily priorities of work as necessary for prompt completion of work assignments and adherence to schedules.
- Creates and enhances PM reference procedures and provides training on these documents. Create parts lists and kits for PM's and ensure that all items are on hand as needed by working with purchasing and inventory groups. Organize and manage the assignment of predictive documentation responsibilities associated with Planned Work.
- Plans and organizes regular equipment preventative and predictive maintenance functions for all fluid utilities assets and coordinates with Operations to manage the annuals/REOs for production-based equipment.
Qualifications
What You’ll Bring
- Certified Maintenance Planner. Associate’s degree in Engineering or related field preferred, CMRP certification preferred.
- 3-5 years in a relative manufacturing industry as a maintenance planner. 5-10 years in the maintenance and or reliability field in an industrial setting. Oracle EAM, Viziya and or other maintenance planning platforms.
- Knowledge – Vast knowledge in ice cream industry equipment and processes. Expert knowledge of Proactive Work Planning. Highly knowledgeable of Oracle EAM and Planning processes. Highly organized.
- Skills – Must have exceptional computer skills. Highly Effective communicator, influencer and team player. Highly proficient with data management and organization of data. Must have exceptional working knowledge of computer software, including Excel, Word, and be proficient with Oracle EAM or other work order management system. Must have exceptional communication and leadership skills.
- Abilities – Work Independently, lead by example and work collaboratively and cross functionally. Adapts to change quickly and is driving new concepts.
- Reports to – Sr Manager EEM/EAM
- Direct Reports – None
- Indirect Reports – None
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 4 production plants and 2 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.