Chemicals & Materials OPT Jobs in Kansas
Chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Kansas are concentrated around Wichita, Kansas City, and the state's established petrochemical and agricultural chemistry sectors. Companies like Koch Industries, Cargill, and INVISTA have a presence here, creating openings for OPT candidates in engineering, materials science, and process chemistry roles across both manufacturing and R&D functions.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Future Foam is ranked among the top four polyurethane foam manufacturing companies in the U.S. We are a trusted supplier to companies such as The Home Depot, Serta Simmons Bedding, Casper, Tuft & Needle, Tempur Sealy, and Ashley Furniture. Family-owned for over 60 years, Future Foam operates more than 30 facilities across the United States, in addition to facilities in Germany and China. We are committed to delivering exceptional quality, service, and operational excellence.
We are looking for a Manufacturing Project Manager for our Newton, KS facility. This position will lead and coordinate manufacturing projects from initial planning through implementation and completion. The role will work closely with operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, safety, supply chain, finance, and external vendors to deliver projects that improve safety, quality, productivity, capacity, efficiency, and cost.
The ideal candidate is a strong problem solver and communicator who can manage multiple projects, coordinate cross-functional teams, establish priorities, and drive projects to successful completion in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead manufacturing projects from concept through implementation, ensuring they are completed safely, on time, and within budget.
- Develop and manage project scope, plans, schedules, budgets, milestones, resources, and performance metrics.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, vendors, and contractors.
- Lead equipment installations, process improvements, automation, facility upgrades, capacity expansion, and production optimization projects.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity, quality, capacity, safety, and cost while reducing waste and rework.
- Develop practical solutions to manufacturing and operational challenges using data, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Support capital projects, including defining requirements, obtaining quotations, selecting vendors, coordinating installations, and tracking costs.
- Manage project risks, issues, corrective actions, and contingency plans.
- Develop and maintain appropriate project documentation, SOPs, work instructions, schedules, budgets, and reports.
- Communicate project status, results, risks, and opportunities to management and key stakeholders.
- Support successful implementation and transition of new equipment, processes, technology, and automation into production and maintenance.
- Ensure projects meet company safety, quality, and operational standards.
- Support manufacturing operations and other improvement initiatives as needed.
- Up to 30% travel.
QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related field preferred.
- 3+ years of manufacturing, engineering, operations, or project management experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading projects in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Strong project management, organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to independently manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, production operations, and continuous improvement/Lean methodologies.
- Ability to effectively lead cross-functional teams and work with employees at all levels of the organization.
- Experience with capital equipment, equipment installation, vendors, and contractors preferred.
- Experience with automation, equipment integration, quality systems, or SPC is a plus.
- Power BI, AutoCAD, database, or other data-analysis experience is a plus.
- PMP certification, formal project management training, or previous leadership experience is a plus.
BENEFITS SUMMARY
- Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- 401(k) with a Company Contribution
- Paid Holidays and Paid Vacation
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Account
- Training and Development
- Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
Compensation commensurate with experience.
LOCATION
Work Location: In person
INTRODUCTION
Future Foam is ranked among the top four polyurethane foam manufacturing companies in the U.S. We are a trusted supplier to companies such as The Home Depot, Serta Simmons Bedding, Casper, Tuft & Needle, Tempur Sealy, and Ashley Furniture. Family-owned for over 60 years, Future Foam operates more than 30 facilities across the United States, in addition to facilities in Germany and China. We are committed to delivering exceptional quality, service, and operational excellence.
We are looking for a Manufacturing Project Manager for our Newton, KS facility. This position will lead and coordinate manufacturing projects from initial planning through implementation and completion. The role will work closely with operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, safety, supply chain, finance, and external vendors to deliver projects that improve safety, quality, productivity, capacity, efficiency, and cost.
The ideal candidate is a strong problem solver and communicator who can manage multiple projects, coordinate cross-functional teams, establish priorities, and drive projects to successful completion in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead manufacturing projects from concept through implementation, ensuring they are completed safely, on time, and within budget.
- Develop and manage project scope, plans, schedules, budgets, milestones, resources, and performance metrics.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, vendors, and contractors.
- Lead equipment installations, process improvements, automation, facility upgrades, capacity expansion, and production optimization projects.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity, quality, capacity, safety, and cost while reducing waste and rework.
- Develop practical solutions to manufacturing and operational challenges using data, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Support capital projects, including defining requirements, obtaining quotations, selecting vendors, coordinating installations, and tracking costs.
- Manage project risks, issues, corrective actions, and contingency plans.
- Develop and maintain appropriate project documentation, SOPs, work instructions, schedules, budgets, and reports.
- Communicate project status, results, risks, and opportunities to management and key stakeholders.
- Support successful implementation and transition of new equipment, processes, technology, and automation into production and maintenance.
- Ensure projects meet company safety, quality, and operational standards.
- Support manufacturing operations and other improvement initiatives as needed.
- Up to 30% travel.
QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related field preferred.
- 3+ years of manufacturing, engineering, operations, or project management experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading projects in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Strong project management, organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to independently manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, production operations, and continuous improvement/Lean methodologies.
- Ability to effectively lead cross-functional teams and work with employees at all levels of the organization.
- Experience with capital equipment, equipment installation, vendors, and contractors preferred.
- Experience with automation, equipment integration, quality systems, or SPC is a plus.
- Power BI, AutoCAD, database, or other data-analysis experience is a plus.
- PMP certification, formal project management training, or previous leadership experience is a plus.
BENEFITS SUMMARY
- Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- 401(k) with a Company Contribution
- Paid Holidays and Paid Vacation
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Account
- Training and Development
- Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
Compensation commensurate with experience.
LOCATION
Work Location: In person
OPT Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Kansas
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Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in KansasChemicals & Materials OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Kansas: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals & materials companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Kansas?
Koch Industries and its subsidiaries, including INVISTA, are among the largest employers in Kansas with documented F-1 OPT hiring in chemicals and materials. Cargill operates processing facilities in the state with roles relevant to agricultural chemistry. Smaller specialty chemical manufacturers and plastics producers in the Wichita and Kansas City metro areas also hire OPT candidates for technical and engineering positions, though sponsorship practices vary by facility and role.
Which cities in Kansas have the most chemicals & materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Wichita and the Kansas City metro area (including Overland Park and Lenexa on the Kansas side) concentrate the most chemicals and materials OPT opportunities in the state. Wichita benefits from proximity to manufacturing corridors, while the Kansas City metro hosts regional headquarters and distribution operations for several chemical firms. Smaller industrial hubs like Salina and Pittsburg also have niche manufacturing employers worth exploring.
What types of chemicals & materials roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align directly with a STEM degree field are the strongest fit for F-1 OPT in this industry. Chemical engineers, materials scientists, process engineers, quality assurance chemists, R&D technicians, and environmental compliance specialists are commonly hired under OPT. Positions requiring a degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, or polymer science generally qualify. Roles classified under CIP codes eligible for STEM OPT extension provide up to 36 months of work authorization.
How do I find chemicals & materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Kansas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students searching for OPT-friendly employers. You can filter by visa type, industry, and state to surface chemicals and materials roles in Kansas where employers have a history of sponsoring F-1 OPT candidates. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the process. Migrate Mate also provides context on employer sponsorship patterns specific to your visa stage.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in Kansas chemicals & materials?
Kansas has a significant agricultural chemistry sector, meaning some OPT roles intersect with food science or agribusiness rather than pure industrial chemistry. Students should confirm their degree's CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT extension before accepting a role, since STEM OPT eligibility is tied to the degree program, not just the job title. Kansas employers in this sector often operate on project-based timelines, so starting the employer registration process for STEM OPT extension early is important.