Global Head of Trade Finance

Chêne-Bougeries, Geneva, CH

Job purpose:

Lead and scale the company’s global trade finance function to support international agri commodity trading operations, optimize working capital, mitigate trade risk, and build banking and capital markets relationships.

Responsibilities:

Strategy & leadership:

Define and execute the global trade finance strategy aligned with commercial growth, risk appetite, and treasury objectives.
Build and lead a high-performing team across key trading hubs.

Trade finance operations:

Oversee end-to-end trade finance lifecycle (letters of credit, documentary collections, standby LCs, guarantees, supplier financing, pre-export financing, receivables finance, forfaiting).
Ensure efficient processes and timely execution to support trading cycles.

Bank & capital relationships:

Develop and manage strategic relationships with trade banks, multilateral institutions, insurers (e.g., export credit agencies, credit insurers), and alternative financiers.
Negotiate facilities, pricing, covenants and SLAs.
Risk management & compliance: Set policies for trade-related credit, country, commodity and counterparty risk. Ensure compliance with KYC/AML, sanctions, export controls, and internal controls; lead trade finance governance and internal/external audit responses.

Structuring & product innovation:

Design tailored financing structures (supply chain finance, warehouse receipts, prepayments, inventory financing) to optimize cost of capital and collateral usage.
Evaluate use of blockchain, e-invoicing, and digital trade platforms.

Liquidity & capital efficiency:

Optimize working capital and collateral management; manage trade lines utilization, limits, and forecasting; liaise with treasury to balance liquidity needs.

Commercial partnership:

Act as trusted advisor to trading, procurement and origination teams to support business growth while protecting the company’s risk exposure.

Reporting & controls:

Deliver management reporting on trade exposures, facility utilization, fees, concentrations, and KPIs. Maintain robust SOPs and continuous improvement.

Team development & representation:

Hire, mentor and develop teams; represent the company in industry forums and at bank/investor meetings.

What does it take to be successful in this role:

Degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or similar; advanced degree (MBA, MSc) or relevant professional qualification (e.g., CTP, ACA) preferred.
12+ years’ progressive experience in trade finance, commodity trading finance, structured trade & commodity finance (STCF), or corporate treasury; minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Direct experience supporting agricultural commodities or other commodity trading is highly desirable.
Strong track record in arranging and managing multi-jurisdictional trade finance facilities, bank syndication and alternative financing.
Deep knowledge of trade finance products, export credit agencies, credit insurance, and relevant regulations (KYC/AML, sanctions, ICC rules)
Strategic thinker with proven commercial orientation and ability to balance risk and growth.
Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills with banks and institutional partners.
Excellent people leadership, coaching, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
High integrity, attention to detail, and strong control mindset.
Fluent in English; French and/or Spanish an advantage.
Comfortable operating in fast-paced, deal-driven environments and able to travel periodically.
Fluent in English at business level