For more than a century, Ben E. Keith Company has been a leader in fine food and premium beverage distribution, and we strive to consistently exceed our customers’ expectations.
Our Food Division is a complete broad line multi-state distributor, and our Beverage Division operates throughout the state of Texas as a proud distributor of Anheuser-Busch products, craft and import beer brands, spirits, and wine.
We are dedicated to the growth and success of our business, our customers, and our employees—continuing our commitment to delivering quality since 1906.
Come join us as we grow! Are you ready to transform credit management from a back-office function to a strategic growth driver? We're seeking a Credit Manager who sees beyond traditional collections and credit management to the bigger picture of business enablement.
Our Credit team doesn't just manage risk—we optimize it. We don't just collect payments—we create positive customer experiences. We understand that appropriate risk doesn't mean zero risk, and that true success comes from partnering with sales to enable growth while maintaining financial discipline.
In this role, you'll lead a team focused on four strategic pillars:
- Optimizing risk through informed, data-driven decisions
- Contributing to growth as a solutions-oriented partner
- Creating positive customer experiences built on trust and timely support
- Guiding an efficient sales-to-cash cycle through proactive systems
If you're tired of being seen as the "sales prevention department" and want to be valued as a strategic business partner, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.
The Credit Manager is responsible for overseeing credit decisioning and account onboarding while ensuring strict adherence to company credit policy. This role plays a critical part in protecting company assets, minimizing financial risk, and enabling sales growth.
This position requires strong independent judgment, policy discipline, and the ability to operate with urgency in a high-volume environment. The Credit Manager will serve as the primary decision-maker for customer credit approvals and a key partner to the sales organization.
This role also includes a structured transition period, working closely with the current Credit Manager to ensure continuity and knowledge transfer ahead of a planned retirement.
Key Responsibilities
Credit Management & Risk Assessment (40%)
• Evaluate and approve customer credit applications using Bectran
• Establish appropriate credit limits and payment terms based on financial analysis
• Make independent credit decisions within policy guidelines
• Monitor customer balances, exposure levels, and payment behavior proactively
• Escalate high-risk or high-exposure accounts (e.g., >$100K) to corporate credit leadership
• Maintain complete documentation supporting all credit decisions
• Participate in periodic portfolio reviews and risk assessments
Policy Leadership & Compliance (25%)
• Act as the administrator and enforcer of company credit policy
• Ensure consistent, disciplined application of policy without exception
• Balance risk management with business objectives while maintaining integrity of standards
• Support ongoing refinement and alignment of credit practices with company goals
Sales Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement (20%)
• Partner with ~40+ sales representatives and district sales managers
• Enable sales growth through timely account setup and clear communication
• Communicate credit decisions in a professional, solutions-oriented manner
• Support sales teams in understanding and communicating credit requirements to customers
• Serve as escalation point for complex or sensitive credit issues
Operational Execution & Account Setup (10%)
• Drive fast turnaround on new customer onboarding
• Prioritize incoming applications and respond quickly to sales inquiries
• Identify missing documentation and follow up promptly
• Partner with internal support staff to ensure accurate account setup in SAP
• Maintain efficiency in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
Reporting & Analytics (5%)
• Monitor portfolio health, including exposure, aging, and risk trends
• Support preparation of reports related to bad debt, account performance, and credit metrics
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and efficiency gains
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of progressive experience in credit management, commercial credit, or lending
• Demonstrated ability to make independent credit decisions in a terms-based environment
• Strong understanding of:
- Financial statements
- Credit risk analysis
- Customer credit evaluation
- Experience working in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment
• Proven ability to enforce policy while maintaining collaborative relationships
• Strong communication and decision-making skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Bectran, SAP, or similar systems
- Experience in unsecured or minimally collagenized credit environments
- Certifications such as:
- CCE, CBA, CBFC, or equivalent
- Industry knowledge in Food Services, Wholesale distribution, Banking or Lending helpful but not required
Critical Competencies
• Credit Judgment: Ability to assess risk and make sound decisions based on experience and data
• Policy Discipline: Consistently enforces standards, even under pressure
• Speed & Execution: Strong sense of urgency with ability to manage high volume
• Communication: Clearly explains decisions to sales, leadership, and customers
• Stakeholder Balance: Partners effectively with sales while maintaining independence
• Problem Solving: Navigates complex and ambiguous credit situations with confidence
Work Environment
• 100% onsite role
• Fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Significant interaction with:
- Sales team (~40+ representatives)
- Leadership
- Corporate credit partners
Background Requirements
• Standard criminal background screening
• Credit check may be required based on role responsibilities
Ben E. Keith (BEK) Company is one of the largest food and beverage distributors in the United States. We are a family-owned business with a long-standing tradition of supporting the diverse communities in which we live and work. Our competitive employee benefits provide health and financial protection to our employees and their families.
· Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
· Short and Long Term Disability
· 401K with matching contribution
· Profit-Sharing Plan (100% company-paid)
· Employee Assistance Program
· Wellness Program
· Educational Assistance Program
· Paid Vacation and holidays
· Employee Credit Union
We have sought to create an environment in which the contributions of each employee at Ben E. Keith are fully valued. This means more than simply treating one another with respect; it also means considering how all our people can positively impact the quality of the decisions we make about our business.
Here at Ben E. Keith, we recognize that our workforce reflects the increasingly diverse nature of our society, and we want to do all we can to take advantage of that diversity with both our external and internal customers. We believe our differences are also our strengths and we want to do all we can to use those strengths to find more creative solutions for the business challenges we face. Ben E. Keith is an equal employment opportunity, affirmative action employer. VEVRAA Federal Contractor
Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled