At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage trade finance activities for commodities, ensuring smooth execution of transactions.
- Company: Imbono, a leader in infrastructure and essential services across emerging markets.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diversity is valued; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team transforming lives through essential services and innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: 7-10 years in Trade Finance with strong knowledge of commodity trading.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
About Us
We are Imbono. A leading operator and provider of infrastructure and essential goods and services across emerging markets. Our ambition is to transform the lives of more than 100 million people by 2040 by expanding access to essential services such as water, energy, food, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Role Summary
The Trade Finance Senior Specialist will play a key role in supporting the Commodities Trading business by managing end-to-end trade finance activities related to physical commodity transactions. The role focuses on structuring, executing, and monitoring trade finance solutions to efficiently support day-to-day trading activities, optimise credit facilities, and ensure smooth execution of export and import transactions.
Responsibilities
- Trade Finance & Transaction Management
- Manage the financing of day-to-day trading transactions from contract execution through to drawdown and settlement.
- Process, monitor, and administer all types of export and import trade finance instruments, including Letters of Credit (LCs), Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs), Guarantees, Export Collections, receivables discounting, LC discounting, and supply chain finance structures.
- Oversee all life-cycle events of trade finance instruments, ensuring timely issuance, amendments, utilisation, and closure.
- Review physical commodity contracts to ensure credit, payment, and trade finance clauses are acceptable and aligned with financing requirements.
- Overview client creditworthiness and KYC compliance.
- Stakeholder Management & Business Partnership
- Liaise closely with Trading and Operations teams to understand financing needs, resolve LC-related matters, and support smooth execution of trades.
- Act as a key point of contact for traders regarding financing structures, costs of financing, and optimisation of trade flows.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders across the group, including Treasury, Finance, Risk, and Legal teams.
- Support the development and maintenance of relationships with trade finance banks and financial institutions in coordination with Treasury.
- Credit, Risk & Compliance
- Handle KYC and onboarding processes for new counterparties, working closely with banks and internal compliance teams.
- Review credit limit requests and coordinate with insurance brokers regarding credit insurance coverage.
- Monitor utilisation of credit lines and ensure adherence to approved limits and internal policies.
- Ensure transaction documentation and collateral are properly received, verified, and compliant with internal and bank requirements.
- Cashflow, Reporting & Treasury Coordination
- Produce regular reports and forecasts covering trade flows, cashflow requirements, and utilisation of trade finance facilities in cooperation with the Treasury team.
- Oversee cash movements and balances across multiple banking partners, ensuring visibility and effective liquidity management.
- Support the continuous optimisation of financing structures, including storage, hedging-related financing, and structured trade solutions.
- Prepare and follow up the budget requirements and report of the business unit as per the BEP of the CEO.
- Process Improvement
- Contribute to the enhancement of trade finance processes, controls, and reporting frameworks.
- Support initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, risk mitigation, and scalability of trade finance operations across the commodities business.
Experience
- Minimum 7–10 years of experience in Trade Finance within an oil major, National Oil Companies (NOCs) or trading house, bank trade finance desk, or structured trade finance environment.
- Strong hands-on experience with physical oil trade, finance facilities, including LCs, SBLCs, guarantees, collections, and structured trade solutions.
- Solid understanding of commodity and particularly oil trade life cycles, including contractual, operational, and financial aspects.
- Proven ability to work closely with traders and operations teams in a fast-paced trading environment.
- Experience dealing with banks, insurers, and external counterparties across EMEA; Americas exposure is an advantage.
- Strong knowledge of KYC, credit risk, and trade finance compliance requirements.
Educational Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, Banking, Economics, Accounting, or a related field.
Skills
- Excellent analytical, organisational, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to operate autonomously while coordinating effectively within a cross-functional environment.
Competencies
- Commercial & Risk Awareness
- Stakeholder & Relationship Management
- Attention to Detail & Operational Excellence
- Cashflow & Liquidity Planning
- Problem Solving in Trading Environments
Our Values
- Client Oriented
- Excellence
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Perseverance
We believe that diversity strengthens our organisation and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We want every candidate to perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Trade Finance Senior Specialist in Slough employer: Imbono
Contact Detail:
Imbono Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trade Finance Senior Specialist in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the role of Trade Finance Senior Specialist. Keep it concise but impactful – you want to leave a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Trade Finance Senior Specialist in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Trade Finance Senior Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience in trade finance, especially with physical commodities, and showcase your skills in managing financing transactions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed trade finance activities and built relationships with stakeholders in previous positions.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, make sure to include examples of how you've used these skills in past roles. Whether it's optimising credit facilities or managing cash flows, we want to see your problem-solving prowess!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be processed more efficiently, and you'll have the chance to showcase your enthusiasm for joining Imbono!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imbono
✨Know Your Trade Finance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of trade finance instruments like Letters of Credit and guarantees. Be ready to discuss how you've managed these in past roles, as well as any specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience working with various stakeholders, such as traders, operations teams, and banks. Demonstrating your ability to build strong relationships and resolve conflicts will show that you're a team player who can thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of scenarios where you've had to solve complex problems related to trade finance or liquidity planning. Be ready to explain your thought process and the steps you took to arrive at a solution, as this role requires sharp thinking and resourcefulness.
✨Align with Imbono's Values
Familiarise yourself with Imbono's mission and values, such as client orientation and innovation. During the interview, weave these values into your responses to show that you not only understand the company but also share its vision for transforming lives through essential services.