Trade Services Manager

Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for independent verification and authorisation of trade finance transactions and supporting documents, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and strict compliance with internal policies, credit approvals, and international trade rules.
2. Perform end-to-end checking and authorisation of trade transactions under four-eye principle. Handle trade products including Letter of Credit, Guarantees, Collections, and Trade finance transactions.
3. Ensure adherence to international trade rules including UCP600, ISBP, URC522, ISP98, and URDG758.
4. Ensure compliance with AML, sanctions screening requirements, and Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML) controls.
5. Perform risk-based assessment during trade document checking, including operational, documentary, and compliance risks.
6. Ensure timely processing of transactions in line with service standards and operational cut-offs, and resolve documentary discrepancies with internal and/ or external stakeholders and ensure completion of outstanding cases.
7. Monitor pending transactions, exception items, and outstanding discrepancies to ensure timely follow-up and resolution. Escalate risks and control issues appropriately in line with operational procedures.
8. Support Head of Department and Team Lead in reviewing and updating operational procedures, work instructions and support implementation of policy or procedures changes within the team.
9. Be aware of the compliance responsibilities of the bank especially in i) monitoring of anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing in relation to customer transactions, ii) Detection of tax crime and iii) Terrorism.
10. Provide guidance and support junior checkers, and makers on trade documentation requirements and procedures. Share practical knowledge and support onboarding of new team members.
11. Contribute to consistent application of trade rules and operational standards with the team.
12. Involve in system testing, preparation of test scripts for UAT and responsible for timely completion of testing as well as ad-hoc project to improve the department's performance and profitability.
13. Responsible for identifying, escalating, and following -up on regulatory breaches, compliance risks, and audit findings.
14. Able to lead ad-hoc projects to improve department's performance and profitability and cover for Trade finance Managers/ Officers.

Requirements:

1. Degree in Banking and Finance / Business Administration.
2. Minimum 5 years of hands-on trade finance document checking experience in banking Operations, preferably in Trade Finance Operations.
3. Strong knowledge of Trade finance products including LCs, Guarantees, Collections, and Trade Loans.
4. Experience in checker or authoriser role within a controlled operational environment.
5. Good understanding and knowledge of International Trade settlements.
6. Good understanding of international trade rules and compliance standards.
7. Comprehensive understanding of ICC uniform rules and standard practices.
8. Strong expertise in trade document checking and discrepancy identification.
9. Able to work independently and be an effective team player.