Job Description

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.

Location: Checotah, OK

Start Your Career on the Road

Are you interested in becoming a professional DOT driver but don’t yet have your CDL or tractor-trailer experience?

The DOT Driver Trainee Program is designed to help motivated individuals develop the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to succeed as a professional driver.

A key requirement of the program is obtaining your CDL Permit within two months of entering the program. Upon successful completion of the driver training program, the expectation is to advance into a DOT Route Service Associate position.

What You’ll Learn & Do

• Learn to safely perform delivery duties while maintaining a strong safety record.
• Develop the ability to efficiently deliver products along assigned routes with multiple stops and varying levels of difficulty.
• Provide accurate and dependable service while maintaining a sense of urgency.
• Read customer invoices to identify products that need to be moved, gathered, distributed, and delivered.
• Learn to use electronic equipment, including Xata onboard computers and handheld scanners.
• Learn and follow regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
• Safely handle products and maintain delivery accuracy while minimizing damage.
• Obey traffic laws and established transportation procedures.
• Learn to conduct vehicle safety inspections in accordance with DOT and FMCSR guidelines.
• Learn to check daily vehicle fluid levels and inspect tires, lights, brakes, and other equipment to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate.
• Identify and report mechanical problems to transportation management.
• Learn to maintain required records, including Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports and Driver Hours of Service Logs.
• Report delays, accidents, and other transportation issues to management.
• Become proficient in Smith System Defensive Driver Training.

Qualifications

• Commitment to Ben E. Keith company principles and standards.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to assess customer needs and meet quality service standards.
• Well organized with the ability to multitask.
• Willingness and ability to learn new processes and technology.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Good mathematical skills.
• Proficiency with a personal computer.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Ability and commitment to obtain a CDL Permit within two months of entering the program.

Our Commitment to Driver Safety

Driver safety is a top priority at Ben E. Keith.

Our vehicles are equipped with dash cameras that use artificial intelligence to recognize safe driving behaviors, capture safety events, and help improve driver safety performance. The cameras may also help exonerate drivers when they are not at fault in an accident.

All drivers sign a Driver Consent Form upon hire confirming their understanding of the dash-camera program.

Build Your Future With Us

If you’re dependable, safety-minded, organized, and ready to learn, this program provides an opportunity to develop the skills needed to pursue a career as a DOT driver.

Start your training. Earn your CDL permit. Build your driving career.

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.