Senior Trade Finance Manager (Shipping)

Direct Search Global; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Direct Search Global seeks an experienced Senior Trade Finance Manager to oversee a marine-fuel and bunkering financing function. You will manage banking relationships, optimise facilities, and supervise trade finance transactions across procurement, sales and trading.

You will collaborate with Trading, Operations, Finance and Compliance to manage exposure and ensure strong controls. The role requires 8+ years in trade finance, leadership experience and a solid understanding of LC and payment

Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Banking or Accountancy and related discipline required.
• 8+ years of trade finance experience with leadership exposure.
• Experience in bunkering/oil trading or commodities is preferred.
• Proven banking-relations management and facility negotiation skills.
• Strong knowledge of LC, guarantees, documentary collections and related structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead trade finance activities supporting marine-fuel procurement, sales and trading.
• Establish and maintain relationships with banks and financing partners.
• Arrange, renew and negotiate trade finance facilities with pricing and covenants.
• Manage facility utilisation, costs and maturity profiles.
• Oversee letters of credit, bank guarantees, and documentary collections.
• Review financing structures and advise on working-capital needs.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of banking documents.
• Lead and develop the trade finance team and drive process improvements.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in Finance

Degree in Banking

Degree in Accountancy

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Treasury software

Trade finance platforms

Job description

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.