Global Head of Trade Finance

Job Purpose

Lead and scale the company’s global trade finance function to support international agri commodity trading operations, optimize working capital, mitigate trade risk, and build banking and capital markets relationships.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Leadership
• Define and execute the global trade finance strategy aligned with commercial growth, risk appetite, and treasury objectives.
• Build and lead a high‑performing team across key trading hubs.
• Trade Finance Operations
• Oversee end‑to‑end trade finance lifecycle (letters of credit, documentary collections, standby LCs, guarantees, supplier financing, pre‑export financing, receivables finance, forfaiting).
• Ensure efficient processes and timely execution to support trading cycles.
• Bank & Capital Relationships
• Develop and manage strategic relationships with trade banks, multilateral institutions, insurers (e. g., export credit agencies, credit insurers), and alternative financiers.
• Negotiate facilities, pricing, covenants and SLAs.
• Risk management & compliance: set policies for trade‑related credit, country, commodity and counterparty risk.

Ensure compliance with KYC/AML, sanctions, export controls, and internal controls; lead trade finance governance and audit responses.

• Structuring & Product Innovation
• Design tailored financing structures (supply chain finance, warehouse receipts, prepayments, inventory financing) to optimise cost of capital and collateral usage.
• Evaluate use of blockchain, e‑invoicing and digital trade platforms.
• Liquidity & Capital Efficiency
• Optimise working capital and collateral management; manage trade line utilisation, limits and forecasting; liaise with treasury to balance liquidity needs.
• Commercial Partnership
• Act as trusted adviser to trading, procurement and origination teams to support business growth while protecting the company’s risk exposure.
• Reporting & Controls
• Deliver management reporting on trade exposures, facility utilisation, fees, concentrations and KPIs. Maintain robust SOPs and continuous improvement.
• Team Development & Representation
• Hire, mentor and develop teams; represent the company in industry forums and at bank/investor meetings.
• What does it take to be successful in this role
• Degree in Finance, Economics, Business or similar; advanced degree (MBA, MSc) or relevant professional qualification (e. g., CTP, ACA) preferred.
• 12+ years’ progressive experience in trade finance, commodity trading finance, structured trade & commodity finance (STCF) or corporate treasury; minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Direct experience supporting agricultural commodities or other commodity trading is highly desirable.
• Strong track record in arranging and managing multi‑jurisdictional trade finance facilities, bank syndication and alternative financing.
• Deep knowledge of trade finance products, export credit agencies, credit insurance and relevant regulations (KYC/AML, sanctions, ICC rules).
• Strategic thinker with proven commercial orientation and ability to balance risk and growth.
• Strong negotiation and relationship‑building skills with banks and institutional partners.
• Excellent people leadership, coaching and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• High integrity, attention to detail and a strong control mindset.
• Fluent in English; French and/or Spanish an advantage.
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, deal‑driven environments and able to travel periodically.
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