Senior Trade Finance Manager (Shipping)

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Trade Finance Manager to oversee trade financing activities within a marine-fuel and bunkering business.

The successful candidate will manage banking relationships, secure and optimise financing facilities, and oversee the execution of trade finance transactions. The role will work closely with Trading, Operations, Finance and Compliance teams to support business requirements, manage financial exposure and maintain strong transaction controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead trade finance activities supporting marine-fuel procurement, sales and trading transactions.

• Establish and maintain relationships with banks, financial institutions and financing partners.

• Arrange, renew and negotiate trade finance facilities, including pricing, security requirements, covenants and documentation.

• Manage facility utilisation, available limits, financing costs and maturity profiles.

• Oversee letters of credit, standby letters of credit, bank guarantees, documentary collections and trade loans.

• Review financing structures and recommend suitable solutions for working-capital and transaction requirements.

• Ensure timely preparation, checking and submission of banking and shipping documents.

• Resolve documentary discrepancies and coordinate with banks, counterparties and internal teams.

• Monitor upcoming payments, receipts and financing obligations to support liquidity and cash-flow planning.

• Work with Trading and Operations teams to assess the financing implications of proposed transactions.

• Coordinate with Credit, Legal and Compliance teams on counterparty exposure, transaction risks and approval requirements.

• Ensure adherence to internal controls, banking conditions and applicable compliance requirements.

• Prepare management reports on facility utilisation, financing exposure, costs and key risks.

• Support bank reviews, due diligence, audits and requests for financial or transaction information.

• Lead and develop the trade finance team, maintaining effective review and approval processes.

• Improve trade finance workflows, reporting systems and transaction efficiency.

Requirements

• Degree in Finance, Banking, Accountancy, Business or a related discipline.

• At least 8 years of relevant trade finance experience, including experience leading a team or managing a trade finance function.

• Experience within bunkering, oil trading, commodities trading or a closely related sector is strongly preferred.

• Proven track record of managing banking relationships and negotiating trade finance facilities.

• Strong practical knowledge of letters of credit, guarantees, documentary collections and trade financing structures.

• Familiarity with physical commodity transactions, shipping documents and trade settlement processes.

• Good understanding of relevant documentary credit rules and international banking practices.

• Strong knowledge of working-capital management, liquidity planning and financing risk.

• Experience implementing transaction controls and working with compliance teams on AML and sanctions screening.

• Strong negotiation, analytical and stakeholder-management skills.

• Able to manage time-sensitive transactions and competing funding requirements.

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and treasury, ERP or trade finance systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.