Trade Finance Manager

Stratostaff designs, implements, and manages workforce solutions for large, specialized, or routine staff complements, enabling clients to focus on their core business. They are currently recruiting a Trade Finance Manager for a leading bank.

This role involves leading the expansion and enhancement of a bank's Trade Finance operations, focusing on cultivating and expanding relationships with Enterprise and Business Banking clients. The manager will be instrumental in boosting portfolio growth, generating revenue, and structuring transactions, all while upholding high standards of portfolio quality, risk management, and regulatory adherence. The position requires strong expertise in Trade Finance, commercial insight, and business development skills, along with the ability to collaborate effectively across various departments such as Business, Credit, Risk, and Product. Key performance indicators include achieving annual growth targets for Trade Finance portfolio volumes and business segments, meeting budget goals for fees, commissions, and other income, and maintaining the portfolio within established risk appetite and regulatory guidelines. Success will also be measured by the acquisition of new Trade Finance clients, transactions, and market share, ensuring prompt and effective client service, fostering high team capability through training, and strictly adhering to all relevant policies and control standards.

1. Develop and implement the Trade Finance strategy in alignment with the Bank’s business plans.
2. Provide strategic advice to management on Trade Finance opportunities, market trends, and business performance.
3. Champion the Trade Finance sales strategy to drive portfolio growth, revenue, and market penetration.
4. Identify new business opportunities, product gaps, and emerging customer needs to inform product development.
5. Provide market, client, and competitor intelligence to support business and product strategy.
6. Build and maintain strategic relationships with customers, financial institutions, and industry stakeholders.
7. Drive the acquisition, retention, and growth of Trade Finance clients across Enterprise and Business Banking segments.
8. Proactively manage the Trade Finance portfolio through targeted acquisition and relationship development.
9. Collaborate with Business Development teams to identify customer needs and structure appropriate Trade Finance solutions.
10. Support credit applications by providing Trade Finance input and working with Credit, Risk, Product, and Sales Support teams.
11. Participate in client visits and provide technical expertise in structuring Trade Finance transactions.
12. Monitor approved credit line utilization and actively manage the Trade Finance portfolio.
13. Act as the key technical point of contact for Trade Finance transactions, providing timely guidance.
14. Respond to client requests within agreed timelines.
15. Maintain the quality of the Trade Finance portfolio within the Bank’s approved risk appetite and profitability.
16. Ensure Trade Finance activities comply with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and control standards.
17. Understand Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML) risks and related due diligence requirements.
18. Work with Risk, Credit, and control functions to identify, manage, and mitigate Trade Finance risks.
19. Monitor portfolio performance and take appropriate action on emerging risks or concerns.
20. Monitor Trade Finance business performance against agreed volume, revenue, and profitability targets.
21. Analyze business and portfolio data to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.
22. Prepare and provide Trade Finance performance reports to management.
23. Track portfolio utilization, revenue, fees, and commissions to support decision making.
24. Support the delivery of the Bank’s Trade Finance budget and growth targets.
25. Lead, motivate, and develop the Trade Finance team to achieve business and client objectives.
26. Provide coaching and technical guidance to team members.
27. Conduct Trade Finance training for Bank staff and support knowledge sharing.
28. Ensure completion of mandatory, product, and technical training.
29. Support succession planning and development of internal Trade Finance talent.
30. Liaise with the Group Trade Finance team and stay updated on industry developments.

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Banking, or a related field.
2. An MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
3. Possess a minimum of 8 years of experience in banking, with at least 5 years specifically in Trade Sales, Trade Finance, or Product Management.
4. Demonstrated experience in Trade Finance business development, sales, and portfolio management.
5. Strong knowledge of Trade Finance products, their risk profiles, and regulatory requirements.
6. Experience in credit structuring, portfolio management, and collaboration with Credit, Risk, and Business Development teams.
7. Good understanding of Trade-Based Money Laundering risks and related due diligence requirements.
8. Proven ability to grow Trade Finance business while maintaining portfolio quality and profitability.