Food & Beverage OPT Jobs in South Carolina
Food & beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in South Carolina span operations at major manufacturers like Michelin (which has food-adjacent supplier roles), BMW's production ecosystem, and the state's growing craft beverage and hospitality sectors centered in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville. Roles in quality assurance, food science, and supply chain are among the most active hiring areas for OPT candidates.
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Are you an experienced Sales Professional, Restaurant Manager, Culinary Manager or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco’s World Class Sales Team and explore all the benefits and perks.
Why you should join our Sales Team:
- Competitive base salary, bonus, plus promotional incentive opportunities
- Car allowance (mileage reimbursement for candidates in CA) and cell phone provided
- Career pathing opportunities for both entry level, and experienced individuals
- Opportunity to be part of a purpose driven organization that supports communities and associates
- Specialized sales training
- Individual as well as team-based selling
- Opportunity to learn different ethnic segments
- Monthly and annual sales rewards and recognition
- Robust benefits package including an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, & 401(k) with automatic matching
JOB SUMMARY
This is an outside sales position responsible for promoting the company's products and services and for building relationships with new and existing accounts. The main focus is to help Sysco customers succeed while achieving sales and profit goals established by the company. This position may require working some non-traditional hours (evening, weekends, and holidays) to successfully meet customers' needs.
Responsibilities
- Develop new business, penetrate existing accounts, and minimize lost business to achieve profitable sales growth and special objectives within assigned territory.
- Seek and qualify prospects following company account stratification goals.
- Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.
- Evaluate market trends and recommend products to customers, based on business needs and goals.
- Be informed of market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales; share information with customers as part of value-added services provided.
- Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, and product use.
- Provide product information and practical training to customer personnel.
- Drive personal vehicle to customer accounts, conventions, company meetings, etc.
- Communicate and collect accounts receivable as necessary, working with the credit department and client; collect all balances due based on approved credit terms.
- Manage deliveries to the routing schedule published by the transportation department; troubleshoot any problems that occur during the order process (for example, out of stock items, special order items, low inventory, etc.).
- Participate in company functions, promotions, customer visits, and customer events.
- Attend and participate in general sales and district meetings.
- Engage in ongoing training sessions.
- Assist with the training of new employees as requested.
- Review and analyze daily and weekly reports such as special-order requests, customer bid files, and sales/gross profit margin data.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, maintaining sales records, processing credits, and pick-up requests, preparing sales quotes and menu suggestions, and filing reports.
- Other duties may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education/Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality, Culinary Arts or related discipline OR HSD/GED and 3 years Restaurant Management, B2B or outside sales experience, or equivalent relatable experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bi-Lingual
- Restaurant Management, Foodservice Outside Sales, Chef Experience preferred
Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations
- Valid driver’s license with a driving record that meets company insurability standards.
- Current automobile insurance with the following limits of liability: Bodily injury - $100,000 each person and $300,000 each accident; property damage - $100,000 is required.
Requirement
- Pass employment testing
- Must sign Sysco Protective Covenants Agreement.
- Reside or willing to relocate to the geographical vicinity of territory.
Professional Skills
- Basic PC skills and proficiency with MS Office.
- Ability to read, write, speak English.
Competencies
- Building Trust
- Building Customer Loyalty
- Follow-up
- Sales Ability / Persuasiveness
- Managing Work
- Adaptability
- Communication
OPT Food & Beverage Job Roles in South Carolina
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in South CarolinaFood & Beverage OPT Sponsorship Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food & beverage companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a number of food and beverage manufacturers and distributors that have hired OPT candidates, including operations tied to large food processing facilities in the Upstate and Lowcountry regions. Companies such as Conagra, Frito-Lay, and regional breweries and distilleries in Charleston have historically brought on international talent in technical and operational roles. Sponsorship availability varies by role and business need, so confirming OPT acceptance with each employer directly is important.
Which cities in South Carolina have the most food & beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Charleston leads the state for food and beverage OPT opportunities, driven by its dense hospitality industry, craft brewery scene, and food manufacturing presence. Columbia, as the state capital and home to the University of South Carolina, also sees consistent activity in food science and quality control hiring. Greenville in the Upstate region has grown into a food and beverage manufacturing hub, making it a third city worth targeting for OPT candidates in this industry.
What types of food & beverage roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that most commonly qualify for F-1 OPT in food and beverage are those requiring a degree-relevant skill set, such as food scientist, quality assurance specialist, food safety engineer, research and development technologist, and supply chain analyst. These positions align with degrees in food science, chemical engineering, nutrition, or business. Production supervisor and general operations roles may qualify depending on how closely the job description ties to the candidate's field of study.
How do I find food & beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in South Carolina?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa type, including F-1 OPT, and by industry so you can browse food and beverage roles in South Carolina without sifting through positions that don't offer sponsorship. Beyond using Migrate Mate, attending career fairs at Clemson University and the University of South Carolina, both of which have strong food science and engineering programs, can connect you directly with employers familiar with hiring OPT candidates.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in South Carolina's food & beverage sector?
South Carolina's food and beverage industry is heavily tied to manufacturing, which means many roles involve on-site work at processing or production facilities rather than remote or office settings. STEM OPT extension eligibility is relevant here: if your degree is in food science, chemical engineering, or a related STEM field, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, significantly extending your authorized work period. Confirming whether a role is STEM-OPT eligible before applying is worth doing, as it affects how long you can work before needing an employer to file for an H-1B visa or other long-term visa.