Food & Beverage OPT Jobs in Louisiana
Food and beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Louisiana draw on the state's deep roots in food manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture. Major employers include Zatarain's, Tabasco parent McIlhenny Company, and large hospitality groups concentrated in New Orleans. Baton Rouge and Lafayette also host processing and distribution operations with OPT-eligible roles in quality assurance, food science, and supply chain.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Join Sodexo as General Manager at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Lead a large-scale campus dining program serving 3,500 resident meals daily while providing leadership to 300 frontline employees and 7 managers.
Oversee 6 national brands, 2 retail food courts, concessions, and VIP-level catering. Reporting to the Resident District Manager, this role requires strong high-volume food service leadership; campus dining experience is highly preferred.
ABOUT THE JOB
In this high-impact leadership role, you’ll be responsible for overseeing large-scale food service operations across one or more sites, ensuring excellence in service, quality, and compliance. You’ll guide teams, manage financial performance, and cultivate strong client partnerships while driving strategic initiatives that support growth and customer satisfaction.
Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.
PAY RANGE: $100130 per year - $129580 per year
INCENTIVE ELIGIBILITY: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- Lead large, complex operations where your strategic thinking and leadership truly make a difference.
- Shape a high-performing team culture focused on accountability, innovation, and service excellence.
- Collaborate closely with senior stakeholders to influence long-term operational success.
- Own and impact financial performance through effective budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.
- Be part of a purpose-driven organization where your leadership supports health, wellbeing, and satisfaction.
- Gain exposure to enterprise-level initiatives and cross-functional collaboration opportunities.
- Make a lasting mark by helping to define and deliver best-in-class food service experiences.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Proven experience leading large-scale, multi-unit food service operations with a focus on quality, service, and compliance.
- Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of developing strong teams and fostering a culture of engagement and performance.
- Advanced financial acumen, including expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and managing performance targets.
- Client relationship management skills and the skillset to influence key stakeholders at all levels.
- A strategic mindset paired with hands-on operational agility to drive results in dynamic, high-volume environments.
REQUIREMENTS
- Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Management Experience: 5 years
- Related Experience: 4-5 years
WHAT WE OFFER
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHO WE ARE
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
INTRODUCTION
Join Sodexo as General Manager at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Lead a large-scale campus dining program serving 3,500 resident meals daily while providing leadership to 300 frontline employees and 7 managers.
Oversee 6 national brands, 2 retail food courts, concessions, and VIP-level catering. Reporting to the Resident District Manager, this role requires strong high-volume food service leadership; campus dining experience is highly preferred.
ABOUT THE JOB
In this high-impact leadership role, you’ll be responsible for overseeing large-scale food service operations across one or more sites, ensuring excellence in service, quality, and compliance. You’ll guide teams, manage financial performance, and cultivate strong client partnerships while driving strategic initiatives that support growth and customer satisfaction.
Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.
PAY RANGE: $100130 per year - $129580 per year
INCENTIVE ELIGIBILITY: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- Lead large, complex operations where your strategic thinking and leadership truly make a difference.
- Shape a high-performing team culture focused on accountability, innovation, and service excellence.
- Collaborate closely with senior stakeholders to influence long-term operational success.
- Own and impact financial performance through effective budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.
- Be part of a purpose-driven organization where your leadership supports health, wellbeing, and satisfaction.
- Gain exposure to enterprise-level initiatives and cross-functional collaboration opportunities.
- Make a lasting mark by helping to define and deliver best-in-class food service experiences.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Proven experience leading large-scale, multi-unit food service operations with a focus on quality, service, and compliance.
- Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of developing strong teams and fostering a culture of engagement and performance.
- Advanced financial acumen, including expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and managing performance targets.
- Client relationship management skills and the skillset to influence key stakeholders at all levels.
- A strategic mindset paired with hands-on operational agility to drive results in dynamic, high-volume environments.
REQUIREMENTS
- Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Management Experience: 5 years
- Related Experience: 4-5 years
WHAT WE OFFER
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHO WE ARE
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
OPT Food & Beverage Job Roles in Louisiana
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in LouisianaFood & Beverage OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Louisiana: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food and beverage companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Louisiana?
Louisiana-based food and beverage employers with histories of sponsoring international workers include McIlhenny Company (Tabasco), Zatarain's, and Borden Dairy. Large hospitality and restaurant groups operating in New Orleans, such as Emeril's Restaurants and corporate hotel food service divisions, have also hired OPT workers. National food manufacturers with Louisiana production facilities, including ConAgra and TreeHouse Foods, are additional employers worth researching through OFLC disclosure data.
Which cities in Louisiana have the most food and beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
New Orleans concentrates the largest share of food and beverage OPT opportunities, driven by its hospitality industry, restaurant groups, and food distribution companies. Baton Rouge follows, with food processing facilities and agribusiness operations along the Mississippi River corridor. Lafayette and Lake Charles also offer roles tied to regional food manufacturing and packaging, particularly in the Cajun food production sector.
What types of food and beverage roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly align with OPT work authorization in food and beverage include food scientist, quality assurance analyst, process engineer, R&D technologist, supply chain coordinator, and food safety specialist. These positions generally require a degree in food science, chemical engineering, biology, or a related field. Hospitality management graduates may also qualify for operations or management training roles within hotel food service divisions.
How do I find food and beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Louisiana?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on F-1 OPT, filtering food and beverage jobs in Louisiana by employers that have sponsored work visas before. Rather than sorting through thousands of postings manually, Migrate Mate surfaces roles where sponsorship is a realistic possibility. You can filter by state and industry to focus entirely on Louisiana food and beverage openings relevant to your OPT timeline.
Are there any Louisiana-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in the food and beverage industry?
Louisiana's food and beverage sector leans heavily on seasonal production cycles tied to seafood, sugarcane, and Mardi Gras hospitality demand, which can affect hiring timelines. OPT authorization must be in place before starting work, and STEM OPT extensions apply only if your degree qualifies under the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Food science and engineering degrees commonly qualify for STEM OPT, but hospitality and culinary management degrees generally do not.