Description:

Trade Finance Manager

Role Overview

The Trade Finance Manager is a Senior Leadership position within the Banking industry, specifically within the Relationship Manager function.

This role requires a PG/Master degree and is critical for overseeing the end-to-end processing and monitoring of Trade Finance transactions, ensuring strict adherence to both internal policies and regulatory guidelines (FEMA).

The incumbent will utilize strong Strategic Thinking and leadership skills to manage the team, enhance stakeholder relationships, and drive process improvements while managing key performance and risk indicators (KPIs/KRIs).

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Trade Finance Manager to lead the monitoring and processing of the Trade Finance operational unit. The ideal candidate must possess sound knowledge of international trade rules (UCP 600, URC, ISBP, URDG) and Indian regulations (FEMA), along with expertise in handling project deliverables, financial reconciliations (Nostro), and managing team productivity. This senior role requires strong interpersonal and presentation skills for effective internal and external customer interaction, ensuring continuous process improvement and transparent compliance.

Key Responsibilities and Operational Deliverables

Trade Finance Operations & Compliance (Core Function):

- Monitoring and Processing of Trade finance transactions and manage BAU (Business As Usual) as per internal and regulatory guidelines, including adherence to FEMA regulations.

- Possess Sound knowledge of UCP 600, URC, ISBP, URDG guidelines for processing Letters of Credit and Guarantees.

- Understanding & highlighting the risks in the process, and actively work on process improvements to mitigate identified risks.

Team Leadership & Development:

- Constantly monitor the productivity of the team, setting high performance standards.

- Learn and Guide the team on various staff functions, including operations, management viewpoints, and organisations policies and practices affecting each phase of business.

- Create effective back up within the team and ensure transparent conduct of the employee assessment process.

Governance and Reporting:

- Ensure that the KPIs and KRIs (Key Performance Indicators and Key Risk Indicators) are managed and maintained as per the groups expected standards.

- Provide support as needed in the various departments, including reporting, making/checking of transactions, and creation of PPTs for management review.

- Capable of managing project level deliverables and targets related to system enhancements or regulatory changes.

Stakeholder Management and Relationship Building:

- Strengthen relations with the various stake holders and the client facing branches to ensure seamless service delivery.

- Interacting with the relationship managers and products and internal teams to resolve all payment queries and issues promptly.

- The Job will also include internal and external customer meetings, hence requires strong inter personal, analytical and presentation skills.

Mandatory Skills & Qualifications

Education: PG/Master degree.

Core Skills: Expertise in Trade, Finance, Operation, Letter oF Credit, and Fema.

Trade Rules: Sound knowledge of UCP 600, URC, ISBP, URDG guidelines.

Reconciliation: Knowledge on Nostro Reconciliation and rules pertaining to such Recon.

Leadership: Experience in team management, performance monitoring, and providing guidance (Team Player focus).

Communication: Strong inter personal, analytical and presentation skills for internal and external meetings.

Resilience: Open to work and perform in dynamic environment and under pressure situations.

Preferred Skills

- Certification: Preferably CDCS certified (Certified Documentary Credit Specialist).

- Experience in working within an operational risk management framework.

- Prior experience in process automation or digital transformation projects within trade finance.