Trade Finance Manager - OilMichael Page

Our client is an international company specializing in Energy.

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  Manage the operation of Letters of Credit by working closely with internal teams such as Credit, Operations, and Traders, ensuring timely issuance or collateral acquisition according to standard procedures.
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  Build and maintain strong relationships with external parties including banks, trade credit and risk insurers, and commodity traders. Develop strategic and tactical partnerships with new entities as required.
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  In collaboration with global teams, oversee the daily management of banking facilities, ensuring up-to-date information and proper coordination with banks and counterparties.
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  Support end-to-end activities related to trade finance, including negotiations of bilateral trade facilities with banks, aligned with internal policies.
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  Coordinate with financial institutions across various regions to ensure efficient trade finance operations, including the timely issuance of financial securities and the management of collections.
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  Stay updated on developments in commodity Structured and Trade Finance markets and incorporate relevant trends into business development strategies.
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  Lead and champion innovative financing structures, aimed at maximizing profits, in close coordination with business development, trading, and other support functions.
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  Oversee the compilation, review, and verification of trade and structured finance-related documentation, ensuring accuracy and proper maintenance of records.
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  Work closely with invoicing teams and stakeholders to ensure all documents are presented to banks in compliance with Letter of Credit terms.
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  Collaborate with traders, operations, credit, and legal teams to provide prompt feedback on deal structures, considering existing trade finance facilities and risk frameworks.
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  Initiate silent risk participation, including single-name or country risk, by leveraging conventional and unconventional sources such as banks and insurers when necessary.
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  Coordinate with trade finance management to ensure efficient distribution of workload within the team.
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  Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within the trade finance team.
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  Take a leading role in financial negotiations and marketing efforts with banks, helping to secure partnerships with risk investors for complex third-party transactions. Provide specialized financial advice to physical traders.
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  Contribute to business development goals by supporting short, medium, and long-term financial objectives.

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  Over 10 years of relevant experience, gained either through a combination of roles in banking and corporate environments within the Oil & Gas sector, or solely within a corporate setting in the industry.
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  Extensive knowledge of trade finance and structured finance products, including Letters of Credit (LCs), inventory financing, discounting, prepays, pre-export financing, and more.
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  Proven ability to collaborate with commodity operations, traders, and credit teams to support business needs in a timely and efficient manner.
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  Established strong working relationships with international bankers who specialize in the Oil & Gas or broader commodities industries.
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  In-depth expertise in Letter of Credit processes, documentation requirements, and Incoterms.
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  Solid understanding of trade flows and effective management of counterparty risk.
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  Competence in handling and clearly communicating complex financial information, both internally and externally.
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  Strong collaborative skills, with the ability to consider multiple stakeholder perspectives, influence decisions, and effectively challenge opinions at all levels, including senior management, to secure alignment on projects.
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  Advanced communication and presentation abilities, with experience representing the company in front of senior external parties and developing new business relationships.
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  Industry-specific expertise in the key drivers, economics, and management practices of an energy trading company.
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  Comprehensive knowledge of cross-border commodity financing in a trading environment, with a focus on trade and structured finance products, including credit and performance risk, financial analysis, legal, tax, and accounting concepts.
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  Deep understanding of commodities trading, staying up to date with global events and the geopolitical climate that impacts the trading of commodities and financial instruments within the energy sector.
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  Experience managing structured trade finance as a profit center is a highly valuable asset.