Credit Manager

Credit Manager Opportunity

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 riskwe optimize it. We don't just collect paymentswe 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

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 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