Automotive OPT Jobs in Minnesota
F-1 OPT automotive jobs in Minnesota are concentrated around the Twin Cities metro, where companies like 3M, Polaris, and regional dealership networks and Tier 1 suppliers actively hire international students. Engineering, data analytics, and supply chain roles in this sector regularly qualify for both standard 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
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Join our vertically integrated team at MAT Holdings, Inc., a leading global manufacturer with a 40-year history. We're proud to provide employment opportunities for more than 14,000 employees across 12 countries. Headquartered in Long Grove, Illinois, we have over 40 factories on three continents, including 2.1 million square feet of U.S. distribution and manufacturing space. You will find our products in home improvement centers, big box retailers, hardware stores and automotive chains. They're in the cars you drive, the trailers you tow, and the heavy-duty machinery you operate. MAT can maintain consistent expertise and solutions across the entire supply chain. We’re experts in engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, logistics and distribution, marketing, design, and customer service — we don't just make it happen, we ensure it happens with excellence. We’re more than manufacturing, we’re MAT.
Benefits
MAT Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries offer a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance after 60 days of employment
Paid Time Off (PTO), including paid vacation, sick days, and paid holidays
401k Retirement Plan + Company Match
Career Advancement Program, training and development
Wellness Programs, including fitness reimbursements and mental health support
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Voluntary Life / AD&D, Employer Provided Life/AD&D
and More
Job Description
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Operations Manager to lead our manufacturing team in achieving production excellence. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing a team of supervisors to ensure the timely production of our products while adhering to safety, quality, and cost standards. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to enhance productivity, establish key performance indicators, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. The Operations Manager will promote a strong safety culture, monitor production processes, and proactively address challenges to meet operational goals. This position requires effective communication with upper management and collaboration with cross-functional teams, including sales and shipping, to ensure alignment with market demands and production schedules. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in facility operations, budgeting, and leadership within a manufacturing environment, alongside a strong understanding of Lean principles and Six Sigma methodologies.
Principle Responsibilities
Manage a staff of supervisors to ensure timely production and to meet key requirements related to safety, service levels, cost, and quality.
Develop and implement methods to improve productivity within established payroll and expense budgets.
Plan and execute strategies that support production objectives through leadership of cross-functional teams.
Promote employee development through effective verbal and written communications, cross-training skills, and appropriate use of teams to support problem solving and continuous improvement.
Monitor production, anticipate and solve problems on time, and identify opportunities for improvement to meet production goals.
Establish and maintain KPI’s to measure plant performance.
Identify and lead projects and kaizen events supporting continuous improvement of the value stream.
Cultivate and promote a strong safety culture and follow all safety policies, procedures, and regulations.
Identify and communicate workplace hazards and correct or seek assistance in correcting unsafe actions or conditions.
Communicate daily with upper management regarding problems or issues impacting production.
Evaluate machine resources to ensure continued production and minimal downtime.
Recommend and implement improvements to production capability, tooling, and machine replacement through CapEx projects.
Coordinate and facilitate activities that respond to customer and market needs by working with Sales/Marketing.
Establish a balance between increased productivity and reduced costs of manufacturing operations.
Set productivity and project goals for each manufacturing supervisor.
Develop workflow policies and procedures that improve efficiency without compromising safety or quality.
Ensure staffing levels are maintained based on workload.
Oversee the Production Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and ensure that implementation dates are met.
Work closely with the Shipping team to make sure there is communication as to when the product will be ready, to ensure we are shipping promptly.
Conduct daily meetings with the production supervisors, scheduling, and warehouse to make sure everyone agrees with the daily plan.
Drive cost reduction/continuous improvement projects.
Direct training as needed for the team regarding policies, procedures, product, etc.
Qualifications
Competencies
Excellent verbal and written communication, leadership, computer, and a high degree of managerial ability to accomplish objectives while maintaining control of operations and costs.
Understanding of Lean Principles and Six Sigma application and usage.
Demonstrated coaching skills, accurately identifying strengths and development needs in others; giving clear, motivating, and constructive feedback; and providing challenging assignments and opportunities for development.
Proven ability to implement and execute programs in support of corporate strategy.
Problem solving and analysis, careful and systematic evaluation of information, possible alternatives, and consequences.
Understanding of the manufacturing processes and procedures.
Ability to influence and shape the decisions of others and to work through issues or conflicts to create.
Fosters Open Communication by promoting open discussion of ideas, providing others with open access to information, and listening willingly to input and concerns.
Makes sound decisions in a timely and confident manner.
Proven interpersonal skills in motivating, problem-solving, counseling, evaluating, and training team members.
Education/Experience:
A bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
Minimum 3 - 5 years of experience managing in a manufacturing environment.
Excellent analytical skills.
Knowledge of SAP or a similar ERP system is required.
The posted salary range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000 annually, including bonus. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
OPT Automotive Job Roles in Minnesota
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Search Automotive Jobs in MinnesotaAutomotive OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Minnesota?
Polaris Industries in Medina is one of Minnesota's most prominent automotive employers hiring international students, particularly in engineering and product development. 3M in Maplewood supplies materials to automotive manufacturers and has historically supported OPT candidates in technical roles. Regional Tier 1 suppliers and specialty vehicle manufacturers across the Twin Cities metro also participate in OPT authorization, though sponsorship practices vary by company and role.
Which cities in Minnesota have the most automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Twin Cities metro, covering Minneapolis and Saint Paul, accounts for the majority of automotive F-1 OPT opportunities in Minnesota. Suburbs like Medina, Roseville, and Shakopee host manufacturing and engineering facilities tied to the sector. Rochester has a smaller but growing presence in precision manufacturing. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul corridor is the practical starting point for most F-1 candidates targeting automotive roles in the state.
What types of automotive roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Minnesota?
Roles that align directly with a STEM-eligible degree field are the strongest candidates for OPT authorization. In Minnesota's automotive sector, this includes mechanical and electrical engineering positions, manufacturing process engineering, supply chain analytics, quality assurance, and embedded systems development. Roles in vehicle connectivity and data engineering increasingly qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, which is particularly relevant given the industry's shift toward electrification and software-defined vehicles.
How do I find automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Minnesota?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students searching for visa-friendly roles, and you can filter directly by F-1 OPT, the automotive industry, and Minnesota to see relevant listings. This removes the guesswork of identifying which employers are open to OPT candidates. Beyond the platform, connecting with University of Minnesota and Minnesota State career offices can surface employer relationships that don't always appear in general job searches.
Are there any Minnesota-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in automotive?
Minnesota's automotive sector leans heavily toward powersports, specialty vehicles, and advanced manufacturing rather than traditional passenger car assembly, which shapes the types of roles available to OPT candidates. Many employers in this space are mid-size companies rather than large OEMs, so OPT familiarity can vary. Confirming that your role is directly related to your degree field before accepting an offer is important, since OPT authorization depends on that alignment, not just the employer's willingness to hire.