Trade Finance Assistant Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

. Handles daily trade finance operations and ensure efficient use of bank lines/funds.

. Provide trade finance support to commercial desks to sell down counterparty, bank and country risks.

. Source fee quotes and negotiate rates with banks to ensure charges are competitive and correct.

. Monitor bank lines utilization and prepare periodic reports (eg. Daily, weekly, monthly) to local management / Treasury.

. Supervise support staff.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

. Plan and monitor bank lines utilization to ensure cost effectiveness.

. To lend support to commercial desks in defining appropriate payment instruments, eg. LCs which are acceptable and the costs associated with such LCs.

. Engage the banks to distribute LC risks, obtain and negotiate competitive rates.

. Liase with Operations team, Central Finance (Treasury) and banks for trade financing and corporate short-term financing requirements. Arrange financing with the banks either from the import leg (TR, freight loan) or export leg (financing, discounting).

. In consultation with the Central Finance (Treasury), direct trade flows of unrestricted documents to current and prospective relationship banks.

. Ensure covenants are met by channeling relevant export to banks periodically.

. Assist to ensure Trade Finance Operations monitor and process transactions properly, accurately and on a timely basis.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

. Degree in banking/finance or related disciplines

. Min. 5 years of related work experience in handling LCs and trade documents, last 3 of which should be in a similar capacity of a similar industry.

. Good working knowledge of trade finance operations in a commodity trading environment.

. Strong knowledge in UCP600 / ISBP681

. Ability to prioritise and respond quickly and decisively on spot issues.

. Good problem-solving skills.

. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

. Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative work relationship both within and outside of the Trade Finance Department.