At Ben E. Keith Company, our legacy is strong—and our future is even stronger.
For more than a century, we’ve been leaders in fine food and premium beverage distribution, known for delivering excellence and building lasting partnerships. Today, our Food Division spans multiple states, and our Beverage Division brings top beverage brands to communities across Texas.
But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to people. We invest in our employees, empower growth, and create opportunities to make an impact—because when our people succeed, so do our customers and our business. Since 1906, that’s been our promise.
Position Summary:
This position is responsible for the overall management of the Credit Department to include development and improvement of the operational goals of the department and the staffing, training and development of the department staff. The primary purpose of the Credit Manager is to be the administrator and enforcer of the Company credit policy. The execution of this position requires the exercise of discretion and independent judgment.
Position Responsibilities:
- Investigate and verify financial status and reputation of prospective customers applying for credit, prepare documents to substantiate findings, and making credit term decisions based on said findings.
- Setup customer accounts and maintain the master customer file, ensuring that all customer credit data is recorded, filed, and entered in the database accordingly, including verification and documentation of customer taxability.
- Establish credit limitations on customer accounts and handle special credit arrangements and deviations from standard terms of payment.
- Perform routine credit reviews of existing customers to substantiate credit terms.
- Manage customer accounts according to established terms of sale and coordinate consistent, diligent collection efforts on delinquent accounts.
- Review collection reports to ascertain status of collections and balances outstanding and to evaluate effectiveness of current collection procedures.
- Audit delinquent accounts considered to be uncollectible to ensure adequate efforts have been taken before recommending bad debt status on an account. Place accounts with collection agencies and attorneys as necessary.
- Establish and maintain good relations with credit managers of competing firms and similar companies within our marketing areas for credit reference purposes. Participate in trade associations to share credit experience of mutual customers. Respond to credit inquires on customers.
- Compile performance information and present at management meetings as directed by local management.
- Prepare and manage the monthly credit call process.
- Prepare monthly reports including, but not limited to, actual and potential bad debt report, high risk report, 3rd party report
- Assist management in the formulation of credit policies.
- Print and email statements for specific customers.
- Directly manage the Company’s largest and highest risk customer accounts to maintain positive customer relations and optimize collection and bad debt results.
- Lead, direct, evaluate, and develop a team of credit and collections staff to ensure that the credit and collections activities are conducted effectively and ethically and comply with the Company’s Employee Handbook as well as relevant regulations and laws.
- Make a deliberate effort to visit customers and ride with sales teams to strengthen relationships both internal and external to the Company.
- In performing this job, the employee will have access to highly confidential information which must not be copied or shared with anyone other than those authorized by management. Disregard of this responsibility could result in disciplinary action including discharge and/or legal liability.
- Performing the duties and responsibilities of this job may require work to be done before or after normal business hours, subjecting the employee to receiving and initiating phone calls and other activities after normal business hours.
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- 5 years work experience in credit and collections with previous management experience is preferred to perform at expectation.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects, assignments and tasks, monitoring use of time and appropriately using equipment, facilities and materials to provide timely and quality outcomes.
- Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients and customers.
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in their use of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Ability to learn and use all Ben E. Keith applications.
- Valid driver’s license is required for driving to perform Company business.
- Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
We offer employees the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in collaborative, results-driven environments supported by competitive benefits, including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match + 100% Company-Paid Profit Sharing
- Paid Time Off & Holidays
- Wellness, EAP & Educational Assistance
At Ben E. Keith, we value a diverse and inclusive workforce where different perspectives drive better decisions and innovation. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, considering all qualified applicants, including minorities, females, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
