Sales Support & Merchandising Manager

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.

Position Summary and Responsibilities:

The Sales Support & Merchandising Manager will manage a team of merchandisers and draft techs to ensure they provide the proper service frequency and customer service to our valued retailers. In addition, this role strategically oversees a team of sales support specialists, ensuring optimal workforce deployment, staffing for vacations, covering sales routes when needed, reset implementation, and work order execution, while also prioritizing various tasks in partnership with sales, operations, and national accounts teams. This multifaceted role ensures operational excellence, team compliance, and strong customer relationships.

• Consistently demonstrate and model good management practices in support of Ben E. Keith culture.
• Operate and manage the merchandising schedule in accordance with the applicable labor/overtime budget, including coverage for employee time away from work.
• Monitor and adjust merchandising routes and scheduling to account for seasonal changes in workload.
• Monitor and adjust service frequencies periodically to ensure adherence to Company and supplier market standards.
• Supervise weekend shifts as determined by the Sales or Territory Manager.
• Oversee draft tech scheduling and ensure compliance with BEK draught quality and safety standards.
• Coordinate with Sales and National Accounts Managers to build and maintain vacation and reset schedules.
• Assign relief staff for vacations/sales route coverage and allocate team members to execute sales resets.
• Receive and prioritize incoming work orders, assign them to team members, and notify sales once completed.
• Screen, interview, and hire applicants as needed.
• Responsible for the training and development of all direct reports.
• Assess the performance of direct reports against established benchmarks and provide feedback, to include recognition and/or needed corrective action.
• Ensure team members adhere to all company policies and procedures.
• Conduct regular field-based supervision of employee assignments and tasks.
• Ensure all vehicles are being used and assigned properly, maintained in a safe, operational condition; oversee the completeness and accuracy of necessary documentation.
• Investigate and address any customer complaints and follow-up with employees as appropriate.
• Complete accident reports, set up drug screens, determine and take appropriate measures based on the facts of the incident, as applicable.
• Build healthy business relationships and establish good communication with our retail customers.
• Communicate with sales staff regarding customer merchandising frequency and any observed opportunities or challenges.
• Coordinate with the service team regarding delivery times to ensure timely customer service.
• Project a friendly, professional image at all times.
• Attend, participate in and contribute to meetings as required.
• Prioritize multiple, competing priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Excellent performance in previous BEK career path positions
• Previous BEK management experience required
• Strong working knowledge of the local/applicable market
• Must have the ability to lead others and obtain desired results through motivation, communication, and leading by example

• Excellent performance in previous BEK career path positions
• Previous BEK management experience required
• Strong working knowledge of the local/applicable market
• Must have the ability to lead others and obtain desired results through motivation, communication, and leading by example

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Ability to lift and carry products weighing up to 45 lbs and move products weighing up to 165 lbs., stoop, kneel, crouch, talk and hear

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