Fashion & Apparel Jobs in Wisconsin with F-1 OPT Sponsorship
F-1 OPT fashion and apparel jobs in Wisconsin are concentrated in Milwaukee and Madison, where companies like Kohl's Corporation and outdoor-lifestyle brands with apparel divisions maintain design, merchandising, and buying operations. Wisconsin's apparel sector blends retail corporate roles with regional manufacturing, giving OPT students practical training options across the supply chain.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Some things remain timeless. That's how we feel about our traditional 212-step manufacturing process that has been our basis for handcrafting premium men’s footwear & accessories in the U.S. since 1922. We feel a sense of pride that comes with making our shoes in the same way for over 100 years.
As a Production Worker at the Allen Edmonds Manufacturing & Production Facility, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the manufacturing and production processes for our high-quality men's footwear. While prior production experience is beneficial, we value a learning mindset and a positive attitude above all else. We believe in investing in our associates and will provide the necessary training to excel in this role. We take immense pride not only in the craftsmanship of our footwear but also in the vibrant and supportive company culture we've cultivated. Our workplace is known for being a second home, where associates often retire after long, fulfilling careers. This is a testament to the close-knit, family-oriented team environment we've nurtured over the years. If you're looking for a place where your skills and dedication can flourish, and where you can become a part of our legacy of excellence, we encourage you to come and join us. Your journey towards a rewarding career starts here!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What will you be doing?
- Operate Production Equipment: Work with production equipment including electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic production equipment. This equipment performs cutting, fitting, soling, lasting, bottoming and finishing operations to our hand-crafted men's footwear. You will start, stop, and control the speed of certain machinery with pedal/foot controls.
- Inspect Quality of Work: Meet the quality and production requirement for operations. Detect defects or quality problems and adjust as needed or notify leadership.
- Create a Safe Work Environment: Follow company policies and guidelines and comply with OSHA safety procedures and requirements.
PERKS YOU’LL ENJOY!
- Benefits that Start Day One. To learn more details about our total rewards including pension plans, health benefits and PTO, visit YourCaleres.com
- Additional Time Off. Fully paid break between Christmas and New Year’s, separate from PTO.
- 4 Day Workweek. This position has a Monday-Thursday schedule, from 5:30am-4:30pm, giving you more time to enjoy your hobbies.
- Our Shoe Discounts. No matter your style, we’ve got your perfect fit covered with a 30% Associate Discount on our brands including Famous Footwear, Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer, Sam Edelman, Vionic and more!
- Career Development and Learning Opportunities. We provide education assistance of up to $7500 per year for full-time associates.
- Every day is Pay Day. Love an early pay day? Get paid as you earn (without the fees) with Dayforce Wallet.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Through our EAP we provide 24/7 access to free, confidential support and resources, including: emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and online support.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications that make you the perfect fit!
- Highschool diploma or equivalent
- Passionate to learn the craft of footwear production
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Basic math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division units of measurement
- An open-minded, positive attitude is a must!
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, required
From the skilled shoemakers on the manufacturing floor to senior management making strategic business decisions, every Associate plays an integral role in defining the Allen Edmonds brand and the greatness associated with our products.
Allen Edmonds is part of Caleres Inc., a diverse portfolio of 15 global footwear brands. The Caleres legacy includes more than 140-years of craftsmanship, a passion for fit and business savvy, with a mission to continue to inspire people to feel great…feet first.
Caleres is an Equal Opportunity Employer by choice. We believe our company should be as diverse as the consumers we serve. We seek and engage talented individuals from all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, lifestyles, and belief systems.
Caleres and Allen Edmonds are invested in our Associates. We regularly review our pay matrices and update appropriately based on need. Starting pay is determined by several factors, including relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Please visit yourcaleres.com to review all associated benefits.
Fraudulent Recruiting Disclaimer: Please beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate Caleres contacts will use @caleres.com email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a Caleres employee, please refer to our fraudulent recruiting statement found here: https://www.caleres.com/careers/be-aware-of-recruiting-fraud
INTRODUCTION
Some things remain timeless. That's how we feel about our traditional 212-step manufacturing process that has been our basis for handcrafting premium men’s footwear & accessories in the U.S. since 1922. We feel a sense of pride that comes with making our shoes in the same way for over 100 years.
As a Production Worker at the Allen Edmonds Manufacturing & Production Facility, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the manufacturing and production processes for our high-quality men's footwear. While prior production experience is beneficial, we value a learning mindset and a positive attitude above all else. We believe in investing in our associates and will provide the necessary training to excel in this role. We take immense pride not only in the craftsmanship of our footwear but also in the vibrant and supportive company culture we've cultivated. Our workplace is known for being a second home, where associates often retire after long, fulfilling careers. This is a testament to the close-knit, family-oriented team environment we've nurtured over the years. If you're looking for a place where your skills and dedication can flourish, and where you can become a part of our legacy of excellence, we encourage you to come and join us. Your journey towards a rewarding career starts here!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What will you be doing?
- Operate Production Equipment: Work with production equipment including electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic production equipment. This equipment performs cutting, fitting, soling, lasting, bottoming and finishing operations to our hand-crafted men's footwear. You will start, stop, and control the speed of certain machinery with pedal/foot controls.
- Inspect Quality of Work: Meet the quality and production requirement for operations. Detect defects or quality problems and adjust as needed or notify leadership.
- Create a Safe Work Environment: Follow company policies and guidelines and comply with OSHA safety procedures and requirements.
PERKS YOU’LL ENJOY!
- Benefits that Start Day One. To learn more details about our total rewards including pension plans, health benefits and PTO, visit YourCaleres.com
- Additional Time Off. Fully paid break between Christmas and New Year’s, separate from PTO.
- 4 Day Workweek. This position has a Monday-Thursday schedule, from 5:30am-4:30pm, giving you more time to enjoy your hobbies.
- Our Shoe Discounts. No matter your style, we’ve got your perfect fit covered with a 30% Associate Discount on our brands including Famous Footwear, Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer, Sam Edelman, Vionic and more!
- Career Development and Learning Opportunities. We provide education assistance of up to $7500 per year for full-time associates.
- Every day is Pay Day. Love an early pay day? Get paid as you earn (without the fees) with Dayforce Wallet.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Through our EAP we provide 24/7 access to free, confidential support and resources, including: emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and online support.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications that make you the perfect fit!
- Highschool diploma or equivalent
- Passionate to learn the craft of footwear production
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Basic math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division units of measurement
- An open-minded, positive attitude is a must!
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, required
From the skilled shoemakers on the manufacturing floor to senior management making strategic business decisions, every Associate plays an integral role in defining the Allen Edmonds brand and the greatness associated with our products.
Allen Edmonds is part of Caleres Inc., a diverse portfolio of 15 global footwear brands. The Caleres legacy includes more than 140-years of craftsmanship, a passion for fit and business savvy, with a mission to continue to inspire people to feel great…feet first.
Caleres is an Equal Opportunity Employer by choice. We believe our company should be as diverse as the consumers we serve. We seek and engage talented individuals from all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, lifestyles, and belief systems.
Caleres and Allen Edmonds are invested in our Associates. We regularly review our pay matrices and update appropriately based on need. Starting pay is determined by several factors, including relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Please visit yourcaleres.com to review all associated benefits.
Fraudulent Recruiting Disclaimer: Please beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate Caleres contacts will use @caleres.com email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a Caleres employee, please refer to our fraudulent recruiting statement found here: https://www.caleres.com/careers/be-aware-of-recruiting-fraud
Job Roles in Fashion & Apparel in Wisconsin
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which fashion and apparel companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Wisconsin?
Kohl's Corporation, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, is Wisconsin's most prominent fashion and apparel employer and has hired OPT students in merchandising, product development, and e-commerce roles. Smaller regional apparel brands and specialty retailers in Milwaukee also participate in OPT hiring. Because OPT authorization comes from your school, not a formal employer petition, companies that might hesitate at H-1B sponsorship are often more open to hiring OPT students.
Which cities in Wisconsin have the most fashion and apparel F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Milwaukee and its suburbs, particularly Menomonee Falls and Brookfield, account for the largest share of fashion and apparel OPT opportunities in Wisconsin, driven largely by Kohl's corporate campus. Madison has a smaller but growing retail and brand marketing sector connected to the University of Wisconsin community. Outside these two metros, fashion and apparel roles are limited, so most OPT job seekers focus their search on the Milwaukee area.
What types of fashion and apparel roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
F-1 OPT covers any role directly related to your field of study, so qualifying fashion and apparel positions depend on your degree. A fashion merchandising graduate can work in buying, planning, or visual merchandising. A textile engineering or design student can work in product development or quality assurance. Roles in e-commerce, supply chain analytics, and brand marketing within apparel companies also commonly qualify when the employer's job description aligns with the student's academic program.
How do I find fashion and apparel F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Wisconsin?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa type, including F-1 OPT, so you can browse fashion and apparel openings in Wisconsin without sorting through roles that don't support OPT. Beyond using Migrate Mate, connecting with your university's career services office and attending Milwaukee-area retail industry networking events can surface opportunities at companies like Kohl's that recruit locally for OPT-eligible positions.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in Wisconsin's fashion and apparel industry?
Wisconsin does not impose additional state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal OPT rules, so your EAD card issued by USCIS is sufficient to work for any qualifying employer in the state. One practical consideration is that Wisconsin's fashion sector is heavily concentrated in corporate retail rather than design studios, meaning OPT students with merchandising, business, or supply chain backgrounds may find more openings than those seeking pure design roles. Confirming that your job duties align with your degree program is important for maintaining valid OPT status.
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