Food & Beverage OPT Jobs in Tennessee
Food & beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Tennessee are concentrated around major employers like Bridgestone Americas, Conagra Brands operations, and the state's growing craft beverage and food manufacturing sector. Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga lead in hiring, with roles spanning food science, quality assurance, supply chain, and production management attracting international OPT candidates.
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Job Details:
This position is slated for team members who are currently working at this facility or complex as a priority. External candidates are considered post internal applicant review. Current team members interested in transferring into this position from another Tyson facility should express interest through their local HR Partner.
Location: Shelbyville Plant
Department: Maintenance
Shift: 3rd, evenings and weekends
This position is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the refrigeration systems while maintaining a safe work environment and adhering to Tyson policies and procedures.
- Standing, walking, bending, stretching, climbing, pushing, pulling, and reaching are required to include work on ladders. Must be able to lift 70lbs+ daily. Must be able to work on your feet for long periods of time.
- These positions work in a cold, damp to hot and humid environment and slippery surfaces.
- Must be able to use math as needed to make work related computations for machinery, fluid capacities, etc.
- Must be able to set up, adjust all ammonia compressors, air compressors, thermal fluid heaters, room intakes, rooms exhausts, steam boilers and chiller water systems.
- Must be able to learn Tyson SAP software to make work orders and fill out the daily documentation that is required in the system.
- Must successfully complete HAZMAT certification and pass HAZMAT physical and all required safety training for the job.
Education & Experience:
- Must have completed Industrial Maintenance/Refrigeration Training Course or some schooling in an Industrial Maintenance/Refrigeration Training Program and must have 3-5 years' experience in Industrial Maintenance/Refrigeration.
OR
- Must have 5-6 years minimum in Industrial Maintenance/Refrigeration role.
The winning candidate will be determined through an interview process.
Relocation Assistance Eligible: No
Work Shift: 3RD SHIFT (United States of America)
Certain roles at Tyson require background checks. If you are offered a position that requires a background check you will be provided additional documentation to complete once an offer has been extended.
Hourly Applicants ONLY - You must complete the task after submitting your application to provide additional information to be considered for employment.
Tyson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.
We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more.
If you would like to learn more about your data privacy rights and how you may use that information, please read our Job Applicant Privacy Notice here.
Unsolicited Assistance: Tyson Foods and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for open positions within the United States. Any resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee or applicant tracking system at Tyson Foods or its subsidiaries, without a valid written request and search agreement approved by HR, will be considered the property of Tyson Foods. No fees will be paid if the candidate is hired due to an unsolicited referral.
OPT Food & Beverage Job Roles in Tennessee
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in TennesseeFood & Beverage OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food & beverage companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Tennessee?
Tennessee hosts several food and beverage employers with histories of hiring international talent on OPT work authorization. Large manufacturers with facilities in the state, including operations tied to companies like Conagra, Mars Petcare, and regional food processors, have filed OPT-supporting documentation in the past. Craft beverage producers and food technology firms in Nashville and Memphis also participate, though sponsorship practices vary by company, role, and business need at the time of hiring.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most food & beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Nashville leads Tennessee for food and beverage OPT opportunities, driven by its corporate headquarters presence and growing food innovation sector. Memphis follows closely, supported by its strong logistics and food distribution infrastructure. Chattanooga has an expanding food manufacturing base, and Knoxville benefits from proximity to University of Tennessee food science programs, which creates local hiring pipelines for OPT candidates in quality control and product development roles.
What types of food & beverage roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align with a candidate's field of study are most likely to qualify under F-1 OPT. In food and beverage, these commonly include food scientist, quality assurance engineer, process engineer, supply chain analyst, product development specialist, and food safety coordinator positions. Roles requiring degrees in food science, chemical engineering, nutrition, or business are well-suited. STEM OPT extension eligibility applies to positions in food science and engineering, offering up to 36 months of authorized work.
How do I find food & beverage F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and candidates seeking OPT-friendly employers, with filters for visa type, state, and industry. Searching food and beverage roles in Tennessee on Migrate Mate surfaces employers who have demonstrated willingness to work with F-1 OPT candidates. Combining that with direct outreach to Tennessee-based food manufacturers and attending University of Tennessee or Vanderbilt career fairs can strengthen your search significantly.
Are there any Tennessee-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in food & beverage?
Tennessee's food and beverage industry skews toward manufacturing and processing, which means many roles are production-floor or plant-based rather than fully office-based. OPT authorization requires that your position directly relates to your degree field, so candidates should confirm alignment before applying. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, which affects take-home pay calculations. Some rural plant locations may have limited public transportation, so relocation planning is worth factoring in when evaluating offers.