Trade Finance, Automation Lead in Genève

h3Main purpose /h3 pTrafigura is seeking a senior Automation Lead to join its Trade Finance function. This is a strategic, dual-profile appointment whose primary mandate is to accelerate the team’s adoption of AI, automation, and modern tooling – while maintaining operational credibility on the desk to understand workflows from the inside and drive meaningful, sustained change. /p pThe successful candidate will act as the bridge between Trade Finance operations and IT delivery teams, translating business friction into prioritised, deliverable automation initiatives. This role requires a demonstrable track record as a change agent, combined with sound Trade Finance domain knowledge. /p h3Key responsibilities /h3 h3Technology Automation Leadership /h3 ul liOwn and maintain the Trade Finance technology and automation roadmap – identifying, prioritizing, and driving high-ROI use cases across reporting, reconciliation, controls, credit workflows, and document handling. /li liOwn digitalization and technology projects related to Trade Finance end-to-end – from scoping, business case, and vendor/platform evaluation through to delivery, rollout, and adoption. /li liBuild robust business cases for each initiative, aligned with IT architecture guidelines and the function’s future-state vision. /li liPartner with IT delivery teams to progress priority initiatives from concept through to production deployment, remaining engaged at every stage. /li liMap and redesign business processes ahead of automation, ensuring workflows are optimized before tooling is applied. /li liPrototype solutions or produce precise, IT-consumable business requirements to validate value and support production build decisions. /li liDevelop reusable artefacts – templates, playbooks, and requirement patterns – that accelerate future automation initiatives. /li liCoach and upskill Trade Finance colleagues in modern, tool-driven ways of working, including prompt design, tool adoption, and process instrumentation. /li liServe as the visible technology advocate for the team, sharing practical outcomes and embedding a data-led, digitally native culture. /li liMonitor external benchmarks from peer trading houses and Trade Finance technology providers (e.g. Komgo, Contour, Traydstream, Enigio, Bolero) and assess their applicability internally. /li liRepresent Trade Finance in cross-functional technology transformation forums. /li liEnsure new tools and products are adopted effectively by business domains, with value measurement frameworks in place. /li /ul h3Trade Finance Operations /h3 ul liExecute day-to-day Trade Finance responsibilities across the full instrument lifecycle, including: ul libLetters of Credit: /b Drafting, reviewing, and ensuring compliance against UCP 600 terms; liaising with issuing banks and counterparties to satisfy collateral requirements. /li libReceivable Discounting: /b Managing eligible receivables pools, coordinating with financing banks, and tracking utilization against approved limits. /li libBorrowing Base Reporting: /b Compiling eligible assets and liabilities, applying advance rates and concentration limits, and preparing periodic certificates for submission to lending banks. /li /ul /li liContribute to credit-limit management, collateral monitoring, and controls – flagging exceptions, escalating exposures, and ensuring bank reporting is accurate and delivered on time. /li liSupport Trade Finance officers during peak volume periods, audits, and monthly reporting cycles. /li liServe as an operational subject-matter expert whose hands-on experience directly informs automation priorities – identifying manual touchpoints, data gaps, and process inefficiencies that represent the highest-value opportunities on the roadmap. /li /ul h3Required qualifications /h3 h3Experience /h3 ul libMinimum 7+ years /b of experience combining Trade Finance or commodity finance operations with technology-driven transformation. /li liPrior experience at a commodity trading house’s Trade Finance or finance function with a demonstrable transformation track record, or at a Trade Finance fintech (e.g. Komgo, Contour, Traydstream, Enigio, Bolero, TradeSun, or equivalent). /li liDocumented automation or AI projects personally led or co-led, with bquantified outcomes /b – including hours saved, error rate reductions, or cycle time improvements. /li liBackground in technology-driven business transformation: business analyst, project or programme manager, super user, or product/scrum lead. /li liExperience working with leading-edge technology platforms in the Trade Finance domain. /li /ul h3Technical skills /h3 ul liWorking knowledge of SQL; proficiency in Python or a low-code/no-code platform (e.g. Power Apps, Retool, Alteryx, UiPath, n8n). /li liFamiliarity with the broader enterprise and modern AI tooling landscape (document intelligence/OCR, agent orchestration, LLM deployment models, AI agents) beyond Trade Finance-specific platforms. /li liAbility to specify integrations between trade systems (ETRM / TMS / GL / bank platforms) – integration build expertise is not required, but the ability to scope, brief, and challenge IT credibly is essential. /li liAbility to interpret system architecture diagrams and data models independently. /li liComfortable prototyping with AI tools, with genuine curiosity about the application of data and AI to business processes. /li liAbility to produce precise, IT-consumable requirements specifications. /li /ul h3Domain knowledge /h3 ul liSound understanding of Trade Finance instruments and workflows: open account, Letters of Credit, borrowing base reporting, credit exposure, collateral management, and receivable discounting. /li liFamiliarity with commodity trading flows (e.g. pipeline, storage, blending, in-transit financing) is advantageous. /li /ul h3Preferred qualifications /h3 ul liPrior experience with next-generation ETRM platforms (e.g. Atlas, Titan). /li liFamiliarity with AI risk/governance frameworks. /li liExperience designing evaluation/quality-control mechanisms for AI-generated outputs, particularly where outputs feed into external reporting. /li liBackground in consulting (Big 4 or MBB) with a Trade Finance or commodities focus. /li liDual language (English and French or Spanish). /li /ul h3Attributes for success /h3 ul liA genuine change agent: creative, driven, and collaborative, with a strong bias towards outcomes. /li liPractical prompt engineering experience: demonstrable ability to design, test, and iterate prompts for reliability. /li liComfortable challenging existing processes and incumbents, with the patience to bring stakeholders along and the resilience to manage pushback. /li liHands‑on by instinct – focused on making things work rather than directing from a distance. /li liAble to navigate ambiguity and make progress without a fully defined brief. /li liEffective in cross-functional (business and IT) teams delivering complex products or projects. /li liActively models and builds a data- and AI‑led culture across the wider team. /li liA collaborative team player with a commitment to continuous learning. /li /ul #J-18808-Ljbffr