Section Head - Import & Export Letter of Credit | Trade Finance

OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad; Malaysia; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Holistic benefits

Professional development opportunities

Community initiatives

Job summary

OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad is seeking an experienced Section Head to lead Import & Export Letter of Credit operations in Trade Finance. You will manage two to three Team Leads and an operational team of about 15–20 staff, delivering timely LC issuance and advising with strong controls.

You will drive improvements, handle complex transactions, mentor teams and ensure compliance with UCP 600/ISBP and AML regulations across OCBC Group entities.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in trade finance operations with Import/Export LC knowledge.
• Proven leadership of Team Leads or large operations teams.
• Solid understanding of trade controls and AML requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead Team Leads and a 15–20 staff to support Import LC issuance and Export LC advising/confirmation.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and well-controlled LC services across OCBC Group entities.

Skills

Trade finance

People leadership

Import LC

Export LC

UCP 600

ISBP

AML compliance

Stakeholder mgmt

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Banking/Finance degree

Tools

CDCS

Job description

Section Head - Import & Export Letter of Credit | Trade Finance

As Singapore’s longest established bank, we have been dedicated to enabling individuals and businesses to achieve their aspirations since 1932. How? By taking the time to truly understand people. From there, we provide support, services, solutions, and career paths that meet their individual needs and desires.

Today, we’re on a journey of transformation. Leveraging technology and creativity to become a future-ready learning organisation. But for all that change, our strategic ambition is consistently clear and bold, which is to be Asia’s leading financial services partner for a sustainable future.

We invite you to build the bank of the future. Innovate the way we deliver financial services. Work in friendly, supportive teams. Build lasting value in your community. Help people grow their assets, business, and investments. Take your learning as far as you can. Or simply enjoy a vibrant, future-ready career.

Your Opportunity Starts Here.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced trade finance leader to head our Import and Export Letter of Credit section. You will lead two to three Team Leads and an operational team of approximately 15 - 20 staff supporting OCBC Group entities. The role is responsible for delivering timely, accurate and well-controlled Import LC issuance and Export LC advising and confirmation services, while developing people and improving the way we work.

Why Join This Role

This is an opportunity to lead a key trade finance function with Group-wide exposure, shape a capable team and contribute to service improvement and transformation across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the Team Leads and their teams, fostering accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Oversee Import LC issuance and Export LC advising and confirmation operations, including amendments, cancellations and related service requests.
• Ensure service, quality and control standards are consistently met across supported OCBC Group entities.
• Provide guidance and escalation support for complex or non-standard transactions.
• Manage operational, compliance and transaction risks in accordance with internal policies and applicable trade rules and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Business, Product, Risk, Compliance, Technology and other Operations teams to resolve issues and support business needs.
• Drive process simplification, standardization, automation and service improvements.

What We Are Looking For

• Strong experience in trade finance operations, with practical knowledge of Import and Export Letters of Credit.
• Proven people-leadership experience, preferably managing Team Leads, supervisors or a sizeable operations team.
• Sound knowledge of UCP 600, ISBP and relevant AML, sanctions and trade-control requirements.
• Strong judgement, problem-solving and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to balance customer needs, service delivery and operational risk.
• A degree in Banking, Finance, Business Administration or a related discipline is preferred.
• CDCS, CTFP, CITF or other relevant trade finance certification will be an advantage.

WHO WE ARE:

As Singapore’s longest established bank, we have been dedicated to enabling individuals and businesses to achieve their aspirations since 1932. How? By taking the time to truly understand people. From there, we provide support, services, solutions, and career paths that meet their individual needs and desires.

Today, we’re on a journey of transformation. Leveraging technology and creativity to become a future-ready learning organisation. But for all that change, our strategic ambition is consistently clear and bold, which is to be Asia’s leading financial services partner for a sustainable future.

We invite you to build the bank of the future. Innovate the way we deliver financial services. Work in friendly, supportive teams. Build lasting value in your community. Help people grow their assets, business, and investments. Take your learning as far as you can. Or simply enjoy a vibrant, future-ready career.

Your Opportunity Starts Here.

What we offer:

• Competitive base salary.
• A suite of holistic, flexible benefits to suit every lifestyle.
• Community initiatives.
• Industry-leading learning and professional development opportunities.
• Your wellbeing, growth and aspirations are every bit as cared for as the needs of our customers.