Food & Beverage STEM OPT Jobs in North Carolina
North Carolina's food and beverage sector spans global manufacturers like Frito-Lay, Smithfield Foods, and Catawba Brewing to research-driven agribusiness firms concentrated around Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, and the Piedmont Triad. F-1 students on STEM OPT pursuing roles in food science, process engineering, and quality assurance will find active sponsorship activity across these hubs.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are currently seeking a QA Specialist I to join our organization. The Specialist's responsibilities will include:
Responsibilities
- Maintain data on database for liquid extracts
- Maintain microbiology results, send monthly micro verifications to third party lab
- Maintain and update laboratory procedures, forms, etc., for approval by QA Supervisor
- Knowledgeable in the SQF process and enforcement of its procedures
- Knowledgeable in the HACCP process and corrective actions
- Identifies non-conforming product and gathers pertinent information needed to help determine disposition
- Maintain retain samples and prepare samples for test evaluation during production/manufacturing
- Provide Complete COAs to customers in a timely manner
- Ship samples to third party labs for routine and specialized testing
- Participate in testing (physical, microbiological, and organoleptic) for R&D projects
- Conduct QA Lab special projects as assigned by QA Manager
- Assist with Compliance audits - both internal and external e.g. SQF, NCDA, FDA, customer audits
- Train new employees on proper use of lab equipment and annual refresher training
- Review and file COAs for incoming raw materials (Coffee)
- Perform physical and microbiological testing of finished products and other samples as required
- Update QA Weekly report
- Maintain SDS Sheets for lab chemicals
- Perform ATP swabs analysis to verify sanitation procedures
- Perform duties as assigned in the areas of Food Safety, Preventive Controls and Food Defense
- Other duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science degree in scientific discipline
- 5+ years QA experience in a manufacturing/production setting strongly preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Acidified Foods Certified or have ability to achieve certification required
- HACCP certified
- PCQI certification or ability to become certified
- Microbiology lab experience strongly preferred
- Experience with standard laboratory equipment including pH meter, refractometer, hydrometer, automated titrator, density cup, etc.
- Computer skills to include use of Outlook, Word and Excel
- Sound communication and writing skills
- Sound math skills
- Lifting capacity of 50 lbs.
- Proven track record of responsibility and reliability
- Ability to work varied shifts as needed and weekends
- Ability to work with minimal direct supervision
Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled
Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled
INTRODUCTION
We are currently seeking a QA Specialist I to join our organization. The Specialist's responsibilities will include:
Responsibilities
- Maintain data on database for liquid extracts
- Maintain microbiology results, send monthly micro verifications to third party lab
- Maintain and update laboratory procedures, forms, etc., for approval by QA Supervisor
- Knowledgeable in the SQF process and enforcement of its procedures
- Knowledgeable in the HACCP process and corrective actions
- Identifies non-conforming product and gathers pertinent information needed to help determine disposition
- Maintain retain samples and prepare samples for test evaluation during production/manufacturing
- Provide Complete COAs to customers in a timely manner
- Ship samples to third party labs for routine and specialized testing
- Participate in testing (physical, microbiological, and organoleptic) for R&D projects
- Conduct QA Lab special projects as assigned by QA Manager
- Assist with Compliance audits - both internal and external e.g. SQF, NCDA, FDA, customer audits
- Train new employees on proper use of lab equipment and annual refresher training
- Review and file COAs for incoming raw materials (Coffee)
- Perform physical and microbiological testing of finished products and other samples as required
- Update QA Weekly report
- Maintain SDS Sheets for lab chemicals
- Perform ATP swabs analysis to verify sanitation procedures
- Perform duties as assigned in the areas of Food Safety, Preventive Controls and Food Defense
- Other duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science degree in scientific discipline
- 5+ years QA experience in a manufacturing/production setting strongly preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Acidified Foods Certified or have ability to achieve certification required
- HACCP certified
- PCQI certification or ability to become certified
- Microbiology lab experience strongly preferred
- Experience with standard laboratory equipment including pH meter, refractometer, hydrometer, automated titrator, density cup, etc.
- Computer skills to include use of Outlook, Word and Excel
- Sound communication and writing skills
- Sound math skills
- Lifting capacity of 50 lbs.
- Proven track record of responsibility and reliability
- Ability to work varied shifts as needed and weekends
- Ability to work with minimal direct supervision
Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled
Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled
STEM OPT Food & Beverage Job Roles in North Carolina
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in North CarolinaFood & Beverage STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food & beverage companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in North Carolina?
North Carolina hosts several large food and beverage manufacturers with documented sponsorship activity, including Frito-Lay operations in Durham, Smithfield Foods processing facilities, Dole Food Company, and Biltmore Estates' production arm in Asheville. Research-oriented agribusiness and food science firms tied to the Research Triangle Park ecosystem also file STEM OPT extensions for roles in food science, engineering, and quality systems.
Which cities in North Carolina have the most food & beverage F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Raleigh-Durham leads due to proximity to Research Triangle Park and several large food manufacturing and agribusiness headquarters. Charlotte is a secondary hub with significant distribution and food processing operations. Greensboro and Winston-Salem in the Piedmont Triad host established tobacco-adjacent and packaged food manufacturers. Asheville attracts craft beverage and specialty food producers, though sponsorship activity there tends to be less frequent.
How do I find food & beverage F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in North Carolina?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa type and industry, so you can search food and beverage roles in North Carolina that are open to F-1 STEM OPT candidates without sorting through positions that don't apply to your situation. Narrowing by employer DOL filing history helps identify companies with prior STEM OPT experience, which typically signals a smoother sponsorship process for qualifying roles in food science, quality assurance, and process engineering.
What types of food & beverage roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in North Carolina?
Roles that qualify must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code tied to your degree. In the food and beverage industry, this commonly includes food scientist, quality assurance engineer, process engineer, research and development scientist, and data analyst positions. Production management and supply chain analyst roles may qualify if the position requires a STEM degree. Verify your specific degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in North Carolina's food & beverage industry?
North Carolina's food and beverage employers must comply with standard federal STEM OPT requirements, including E-Verify enrollment and a formal training plan under a bona fide employer-employee relationship. The state's large agricultural and food manufacturing base means many employers are familiar with work authorization processes, but STEM OPT specifically requires the employer to be actively involved in structured training. Smaller craft producers may lack the HR infrastructure to manage the reporting requirements USCIS mandates.