Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
About the Role
We are seeking a Group Trade Finance Officer to manage and support the Group's import and export trade finance activities. This role is responsible for handling trade finance instruments, ensuring compliance with banking regulations and internal procedures, and coordinating closely with banks, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
The Group Trade Finance Officer will play a key role in managing Letters of Credit, guarantees, trade loans, and shipping-related documentation, while supporting treasury, finance, and operations teams in cash planning and funding activities. This position requires strong technical knowledge of trade finance, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple transactions across entities within the Group.
Key Responsibilities
- Handle import and export trade finance instruments, including:
- Letters of Credit (LC): issuance, amendment, negotiation, and document checking
- Standby Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees
- Documentary Collections (DP / DA)
- Trust Receipts (TR)
- Bills Discounting
- Review, verify, and process shipping documents, including invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, insurance documents, and related trade documents
- Monitor LC expiry dates, shipment deadlines, and document presentation periods to ensure timely compliance
- Liaise with banks, suppliers, freight forwarders, and internal teams on LC terms, payment modes, discrepancies, and settlements
- Ensure all trade finance transactions comply with UCP 600, ISBP, bank requirements, and internal policies
- Process trade loan drawdowns, Trust Receipt financing, and trade loan repayments
- Prepare trade finance reports, exposure tracking, utilisation summaries, and management reports
- Maintain complete and accurate trade finance files, agreements, and bank correspondence
- Support KYC / AML requirements related to trade finance transactions
- Assist treasury and finance teams with funding requirements and cash flow planning related to trade flows
- Support month-end closing activities related to trade finance
- Perform ad-hoc tasks and projects as assigned
Requirements
Experience & Background
- Minimum 35 years of experience in trade finance, banking, treasury, or a related finance role
- Hands-on experience managing import and export trade finance instruments
- Experience working with multiple banks and cross-border transactions is preferred
- Exposure to group-level or multi-entity trade finance operations is an advantage
Technical Knowledge
- Strong knowledge of trade finance instruments, including LCs, guarantees, documentary collections, TR, and trade loans
- Good understanding of UCP 600, ISBP, and international trade documentation
- Familiarity with shipping and trade documents such as BL, invoice, packing list, COO, and insurance
Professional Skills
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to manage multiple transactions and deadlines
- Strong coordination and communication skills when dealing with banks and internal teams
- Well-organized, disciplined, and able to work independently
Personal Attributes
- Professional, reliable, and accountable
- Proactive with strong problem-solving abilities
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment
