Trade Finance Manager at Stratostaff in Nairobi, Kenya

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    Trade Finance Manager

    StratostaffNairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    10 hours ago

    Apply by

    23 Sept

    Full Time
    On Site
    Senior
    Human Resources & Recruitment
    Accounting, Auditing & Finance

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    Job Description

    The Manager – Trade Finance will lead the growth and development of the Bank's Trade Finance business, with responsibility for acquiring, nurturing and growing Enterprise and Business Banking relationships. The role will drive portfolio growth, revenue generation and transaction structuring while maintaining strong portfolio quality, risk management and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will bring strong Trade Finance expertise, commercial acumen, business development capability and the ability to work effectively across Business, Credit, Risk, Product and other key functions.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Develop and implement the Trade Finance strategy in line with the Bank's annual and three-year business plans.
    • Provide strategic advice to management on Trade Finance opportunities, market developments and business performance.
    • Develop and champion the Trade Finance sales strategy to drive portfolio growth, revenue and market penetration.
    • Identify new business opportunities, product gaps and emerging customer needs to inform product development and service improvements.
    • Provide market, client and competitor intelligence to support business and product strategy.
    • Build and maintain strategic relationships with customers, financial institutions and other industry stakeholders to facilitate business opportunities and the Bank's participation in relevant transactions.
    • Drive acquisition, retention and growth of Trade Finance clients across the Enterprise and Business Banking segments.
    • Proactively manage the Trade Finance portfolio through targeted acquisition and relationship development strategies.
    • Work closely with Business Development teams to identify customer needs and structure appropriate Trade Finance solutions.
    • Support credit applications by providing Trade Finance input and working closely with Credit, Risk, Product and Sales Support teams.
    • Participate in client visits and provide technical expertise in structuring Trade Finance transactions that optimize fees, commissions and overall client value.
    • Monitor approved credit line utilization and support the active management of the Trade Finance portfolio.
    • Act as the key technical point of contact for Trade Finance transactions, providing timely guidance to internal teams and customers.
    • Respond to client requests within agreed timelines and provide appropriate holding communication where further input is required.
    • Maintain the quality of the Trade Finance portfolio within the Bank's approved risk appetite and profitability requirements.
    • Ensure Trade Finance activities comply with applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies and control standards.
    • Maintain an appropriate understanding of Trade-Based Money Laundering TBML risks and related due diligence requirements.
    • Work closely with Risk, Credit and relevant control functions to identify, manage and mitigate Trade Finance risks.
    • Monitor portfolio performance and take appropriate action where emerging risks or performance concerns are identified.
    • Monitor Trade Finance business performance against agreed volume, revenue and profitability targets.
    • Analyze business and portfolio data to identify trends, opportunities, risks and areas requiring intervention.
    • Prepare and provide Trade Finance performance reports to management as required.
    • Track portfolio utilization, revenue, fees and commissions and provide insights to support decision making.
    • Support delivery of the Bank's Trade Finance budget and agreed business growth targets.

    Required Qualifications

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

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Accounting, Auditing & Finance

    Minimum Experience

    8 years

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Business

    Field of Study

    Finance

    Languages

    English

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should visit the application link provided on this page to submit their application.

    Show You Can Grow Trade Finance Without Stretching Risk

    This role sits at the intersection of sales, structuring, and risk. The hiring team will be looking for proof that you can grow the trade finance book while keeping portfolio quality intact and staying ahead of regulatory and TBML requirements.

    1. Quantify your portfolio growth: On your CV, show specific numbers: how much you grew the trade finance portfolio, revenue increases, and client acquisition counts. For example, 'grew trade finance portfolio by 25% in two years' is far stronger than 'responsible for portfolio growth.'

    2. Prepare a deal sheet: List 3-5 trade finance transactions you structured, including the product (LC, guarantees, supply chain finance), deal size, and how you managed risk. Be ready to walk through the credit approval process and how you collaborated with Credit and Risk teams.

    3. Demonstrate regulatory fluency: Expect questions on TBML, KYC, and sanctions compliance. Brush up on recent regulatory changes and be ready to cite examples of how you ensured compliance in past roles.

    4. Show cross-functional leadership: This role requires working with Business, Credit, Risk, and Product teams. Prepare examples of how you influenced these stakeholders to get deals done while managing risk.

    5. Know the market: Research the bank's trade finance offerings and recent developments. Be ready to discuss market trends, competitor moves, and emerging customer needs in the Kenyan and regional trade finance space.

    6. Structure your story around strategy: The role includes developing and implementing the trade finance strategy. Have a clear narrative on how you've contributed to strategy in the past, and what you'd do in the first 90 days in this role.

    7. Prepare for case questions: You may be asked to structure a trade finance solution for a hypothetical client. Practice structuring deals for different sectors (e.g., importers, exporters, manufacturers) and be ready to discuss fees, risk mitigation, and regulatory considerations.

    8. Ask sharp questions: At the interview, ask about the bank's trade finance priorities, portfolio composition, and how success is measured. This shows you're thinking about the role strategically and helps you assess fit.

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    Tags

    Trade Finance
    Business Development
    Portfolio Management
    Risk Management
    TBML