Food & Beverage OPT Jobs in South Dakota
Food and beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in South Dakota are concentrated in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, where food manufacturing, meat processing, and agricultural processing operations drive consistent hiring. Companies like Smithfield Foods and Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling have established presences in the state, offering roles suited to OPT-eligible international graduates in food science, quality assurance, and operations.
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Job Type:
Regular
People are at the heart of our success. Our culture encourages collaboration, transparency, and accountability in order to generate value and achieve sustainable results. Being part of the team means committing to an environment where everyone’s impact truly matters.
At Agropur, accountability means owning challenges and taking concrete action to achieve results.
An environment that empowers you to take action:
- Salary range 004: $69,500 - $86,900 (Salary will be determined based on skills, education, training & experience related to the position.)
- Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7am-4pm with flexibility needed for operational needs
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance
- 401(k) with 7% company contributions
- 3 weeks Paid Time Off
- Paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
- Paid parental leave
- Advancement Opportunities
What you’ll be responsible for each day:
We are looking for a Safety Specialist in Lake Norden, South Dakota.
The Safety Specialist assists the Safety Manager/Plant Director with site safety programs including but not limited to: new employee safety orientation, safety training, written program creation and maintenance, assist with programs such as Workers’ Compensation, and process safety management. Responsible for directing, managing, identifying and auditing the systems associated with Plant and Health & Safety compliance. Ensure compliance with local, state, federal regulations such as OSHA, NFPA, and ANSI. Identify, evaluate, and act on company initiatives or risk mitigation to ensure continuous improvement of Health and Safety measures, Worker’s Compensation costs, and overall safety culture.
- Leads site safety and compliance programs by developing, delivering, and maintaining OSHA, DOT, and company-required safety training, employee orientations, and safety procedures.
- Ensures regulatory and organizational compliance through facility audits, annual program reviews, documentation management, and maintenance of safety records, permits, certifications, and databases.
- Drives workplace safety initiatives by conducting inspections, managing PPE and SDS programs, serving as a safety resource, and supporting safety committees and employee awareness efforts.
- Investigates workplace incidents, near misses, and environmental events, performing root cause analysis and partnering with leadership to implement corrective actions and continuous improvement plans.
- Supports employee health and risk management activities, including workers’ compensation administration, return-to-work programs, claims management, and coordination of specialized safety programs and projects.
- Implement corrective actions from inspections audits.
- Provide input to Engineering department on project concerning safety and equipment selection.
- Manage all aspects of DOT driver program.
- Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
- Safety Protocol
The individual who will own this role:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health or related field of study preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.
- Minimum two (2) years of experience in safety and health work required.
- Minimum two (2) years within a similar manufacturing environment required.
- Dairy experience preferred.
- Food/beverage manufacturing and dairy safety background highly preferred.
- Knowledge of First Aid, Confined Space entry, LOTO, Process Safety Management, and experience in Classroom Instruction required.
An environment that values engagement and encourages everyone to take initiative.
CH-1
This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.
Agropur welcomes people from all backgrounds and origins. We are proud to be an employer with a diverse community and are committed to providing a respectful and inclusive experience for all employees and applicants. We will work with candidates who request accommodation. Please note that an adequate knowledge of French is required for positions in Quebec. Agropur uses artificial intelligence technology to assist our recruiters in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants for this position.
In this text, the use of the masculine gender to designate persons is intended only to lighten the text.
OPT Food & Beverage Job Roles in South Dakota
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in South DakotaFood & Beverage OPT Sponsorship Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food and beverage companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in South Dakota?
Smithfield Foods operates a major pork processing facility in Sioux Falls and has historically hired international workers in technical and quality roles. Other active employers include Denny's corporate operations, Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling, and regional dairy and grain processing companies. Food manufacturing and meat processing plants across the state tend to have the highest volume of OPT-eligible positions in quality control, food safety, and production management.
Which cities in South Dakota have the most food and beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Sioux Falls is by far the most active market, anchored by large-scale meat processing and food manufacturing facilities. Rapid City has a smaller but growing food service and distribution sector. Aberdeen and Watertown also have food processing operations tied to the regional agricultural economy, particularly grain, dairy, and livestock processing, which generate openings in quality assurance and food science roles.
What types of food and beverage roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align with a qualifying STEM or non-STEM degree tend to attract OPT sponsorship. In food and beverage, that includes food scientist, quality assurance specialist, process engineer, food safety manager, R&D technician, and supply chain analyst positions. Production supervisor and operations management roles can also qualify when the employer connects them to a relevant degree field. Purely manual or line-level roles generally do not meet the degree-requirement threshold for OPT eligibility.
How do I find food and beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in South Dakota?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to search food and beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in South Dakota. The platform filters listings specifically for OPT-eligible roles, so you are not sorting through employers who do not sponsor. Filtering by the food and beverage industry and South Dakota narrows results to companies actively seeking candidates with your visa status, saving significant time compared to unfiltered job searches.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in South Dakota's food and beverage sector?
South Dakota's food and beverage industry is heavily tied to agriculture and livestock processing, which means many facilities operate under USDA oversight and require food safety certifications alongside degree qualifications. STEM OPT extensions are available for graduates in food science, agricultural engineering, or related STEM-designated programs, providing up to 24 additional months of work authorization. Non-STEM graduates have a shorter 12-month OPT window, so timing your job search before graduation is particularly important in this sector.