Company Overview
Kristen Distributing Company is a local, family-owned beverage distribution company based in the Bryan/College Station area, with a rich history dating back to 1930 when it was founded in Bellville, Texas. Our mission at Kristen Distributing Company is to uphold the highest standards by providing exceptional beverages that align with the manufacturer’s marketing concepts. We are dedicated to fostering an environment that encourages personal independence, offers abundant opportunities, and prioritizes the development that enhances the strengths and dignity of our employees and customers.
Position Overview
The IT Support Specialist is KDC’s in-house technology resource and the first call for employees at the Bryan and Temple facilities when technology is not working. This position resolves day-to-day issues with laptops, email, phones, printers, logins, and security cameras, and owns KDC’s IT equipment from purchase through retirement.
The IT Support Specialist is also KDC’s day-to-day partner to GCS, our managed IT services provider, reviewing the security risks GCS identifies and the performance of company IT. The role leads practical and secure use of artificial intelligence at KDC, helping departments work faster without putting company, employee, or customer data at risk.
This position may be filled on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the qualifications and availability of the selected candidate.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Help Desk and End-User Support
- Serve as the first point of contact for employee technology issues, including laptops, email, company phones, printers, logins, password resets, and security cameras, providing support in person, by phone, and remotely.
- Troubleshoot and resolve computer, network, and access issues, and escalate server and network infrastructure issues to GCS, KDC’s managed IT services provider, following them through resolution.
- Install, configure, update, and maintain laptops, monitors, printers, peripherals, and meeting-room equipment at the Bryan and Temple facilities.
- Monitor and maintain the security camera system at both facilities, and coordinate repairs with vendors.
Company Phones and Mobile Devices
- Set up and issue company phones and laptops to new users, and reassign or deactivate lines when employees transfer or separate.
- Manage company devices through Microsoft Intune and Apple Business Manager.
- File and follow up on insurance claims for lost, stolen, or damaged company phones through Asurion.
- Review monthly AT&T wireless invoices for unused lines, incorrect charges, and missing credits, and report discrepancies to Accounting.
User Accounts and Access
- Monitor KDC’s automated user setup, which grants, changes, and removes system access based on Paycom new hires, position changes, and terminations, and confirm each change completed correctly.
- Set up Encompass user accounts and manage user permissions.
- Keep the company phone and email directory current, and make sure each employee’s work phone number and email are correct across company systems.
- Make sure system access is removed on an employee’s last day, and that returned equipment is stored properly.
IT Equipment Inventory and Lifecycle
- Maintain a complete inventory of company cell phones, warehouse devices, laptops, monitors, and other IT equipment, including who each item is assigned to, its condition, and its location.
- Issue equipment to employees, document every assignment, and collect equipment when an employee separates, changes roles, or receives a replacement.
- Keep a running replacement schedule showing each item’s age, warranty, and planned replacement date, and work with Accounting to budget replacements each year.
- Obtain quotes, recommend purchases, submit them for approval, and order, receive, set up, and deploy new IT equipment.
- Wipe and properly dispose of retired equipment so no company data leaves with it.
GCS Partnership and IT Performance
- Serve as KDC’s day-to-day point of contact with GCS, opening and following up on tickets and projects.
- Review security risks and alerts identified by GCS’s monitoring, recommend a course of action, and track each item through resolution.
- Meet regularly with GCS to review the performance of KDC’s IT environment, open issues, and upcoming needs.
- Track software licenses, subscriptions, and vendor renewals so KDC pays only for what it uses.
AI Tools and Automation
- Administer KDC’s enterprise AI platform (Claude), including user accounts, settings, and permissions.
- Work with department leaders to identify repetitive tasks that AI tools can automate or speed up, and help build and test those workflows.
- Train employees on effective, secure use of AI tools through one-on-one help, quick-reference guides, and short group sessions.
Security, Reporting, and Documentation
- Follow and promote security practices including multi-factor authentication, password standards, software updates, and phishing awareness, consistent with KDC’s cyber insurance requirements.
- Prepare a quarterly IT activity report for leadership.
- Write and maintain clear how-to guides and procedures for recurring IT tasks so processes are consistent and others can follow them.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Schedule: Monday–Friday, in office at the Bryan facility. Hours will be set based on whether the position is filled full-time or part-time, with occasional early, evening, or weekend work for system updates and urgent issues.
- Compensation: $45,000–$65,000 per year, depending on experience and schedule.
If the position is filled full-time, the following benefits are also offered:
- Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with KDC contributing a substantial share of the employee-only premium.
- Life Insurance: $30,000 company-paid policy at no cost to the employee, with supplemental coverage available.
- Additional Coverage: Voluntary short-term and long-term disability, accident, and critical illness coverage.
- 401(k): Eligible after three months of service; company match of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions, with traditional and Roth options.
- Paid Time Off: Five days after six months of service, ten days annually at one to four years, and fifteen days annually after five years, with up to five days carryover.
- Paid Holidays: Eight paid holidays per year with no waiting period.
- Uniforms: Three uniforms provided at hire, plus discounts on work boots.
- Other: Employee Assistance Program including access to our on-staff counselor, discounted gym membership, bi-weekly pay, and direct deposit.
Qualifications
Qualifications
Required
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Associate’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field, or equivalent IT work experience in lieu of a degree.
- At least one year of experience in IT support, help desk, or a similar technical role.
- Working knowledge of Windows, Microsoft 365, Active Directory, and iPhone setup and management.
- Ability to troubleshoot operating system, local network, permissions, and endpoint issues.
- Experience tracking IT equipment inventory, assignments, or asset lifecycles.
- Hands-on experience using generative AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, or Microsoft Copilot in a business setting, with a practical understanding of how to protect confidential data when using them.
- Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to explain technical issues in plain language to employees at every comfort level with technology.
- Well organized, dependable with follow-through, and able to manage multiple requests at once.
- Handles confidential employee and company information with discretion.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment drug screen.
Preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field.
- Three or more years of experience in IT support, help desk, or a similar technical role.
- Industry certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+, or a Microsoft 365 certification.
- Experience with Microsoft Intune and Apple Business Manager.
- Scripting or query skills in PowerShell, Python, or SQL.
- Experience administering an enterprise AI platform or building AI integrations and automations.
- Experience working with a managed IT services provider, and with security camera systems (NVR/VMS).