Trade and Working Capital Product Manager at Absa Bank Limited

Job Summary

To provide advice and support in the development and implementation of transactional management planning and associated service delivery processes, methods and techniques.

Job Purpose:

• Strategic formulation and execution of Trade and Working Capital Finance products, systems, and services for the CIB department.
• Drive product monitoring and control of all Trade and Working capital finance products in liaison with TB Sales Managers, Relationship Managers and Trade operations team.
• Strategic support in growth of Trade and Working Capital revenues while providing effective client support and relationship development relating to Trade Finance products.
• Innovating Trade Finance products to take care of both current and future needs of the banks’ customers.
• Liaise with third party vendors or regulators as and when necessary, on innovation projects
• Offering responsive and proactive leadership, stakeholder management to facilitate the success of Trade Finance.
• Ensure regulatory compliance on products offered by the team.
• Support the business with local product enhancements and commercialization of new initiatives

This involves keeping abreast of the market dynamics and leading and guiding the team on the entire development process from conceptualization, design, delivery, launch and return on investment management & tracking.

Key Accountabilities:

Product Management and Development – 30%

• Drive monitoring and control of all trade finance and working capital (WC) products in liaison with TB Sales Managers, Relationship Managers and Trade operations team.
• Responsible for understanding customer needs and develop the client value propositions that will address them across all client’s segments
• Responsible for articulating the product strategy and executing product initiatives that would deliver the strategy
• Ensure implementation of all Trade Product and WC procedures in line with the bank requirements and processes.
• Ensure adherence to and application of established policies, processes, procedures, and tools to achieve optimal efficiency, compliance, and cost containment.
• Stakeholder management to ensure alignment on delivery of Trade Finance and WC products.
• Restructuring the products if necessary and managing the restructuring process.
• Review existing products and procedures, and continuously improve them.
• Formulate effective product documentation, policies and procedures, SLA’s to effectively deliver the envisaged proposition.
• Issue resolution in relation to Trade and Working Capital finance related issues
• Contribute to the formulation of the Trade and Working Capital models/pricing process including concessions.
• Conduct regular portfolio reviews to identify areas of improvement and develop tactical plans towards achieving set risk and compliance criteria.
• Responsible for the implementation and adoption of all Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions related requirements contained in policies, procedures and processes within Trade finance department, and trade finance product audits
• Work closely with all areas to secure development support, appropriate systems prioritization and to develop testing plans
• Using available product, e-Channel & e-Commerce marketing/sales performance i.e. volume, pricing and related revenue, provide impactful recommendations based on internal data, external trends, competitive forces and technology advancements.
• Responsible for commercialization of new product capabilities by ensuring commercialization plans, targets and infrastructure to maximize success for it launch

Financial - 20%

• Directly responsible for driving investment business cases and the business operating model for the product line.
• Achieve Trade and Working Capital Product revenue mission and growth as determined.
• Give strategic input on Trade and Working Capital revenue growth plans and actions.
• Be responsible for the portfolio’s financial growth through good client retention and services.
• Track and regular review of products and channels from client feedback and market trends to increase utilization of Trade and Working Capital products by current and prospective customers.
• Together with the Head of Trade finance follow up with TB Sales managers and other business segments to ensure appropriate drive of Trade &WC products.
• Determine standard product pricing and monitor collection of fees and NII for the product lines
• Conduct ongoing competitor analysis to capture the opportunities, mitigate the threats and deliver financial performance. Recommend and plan actions to build or reinforce our competitive edge
• Drive end-to-end product performance, improving efficiency through digital transformation, straight through processing and ensuring scalability to grow.
• Conduct ongoing competitor analysis to capture the opportunities, mitigate the threats and deliver financial performance. Recommend and plan actions to build or reinforce our competitive edge.

Client Focus – 20%

• Implement a team culture that focuses on customer service and service delivery.
• Manage and retain key stakeholder relationships and focus on building strategic relationships with key decision-makers.
• Manage and coordinate Trade Finance client engagement efforts across relevant business units.
• Participate in customer surveys (internal and external)
• Develop in-depth knowledge of the client’s strategy, business, financial performance, industry outlook/trends, specific segment knowledge and general macroeconomic issues and trends in the country and ensure that this is transferred to the relevant internal stakeholders.

Risk & Compliance – 20%

• Ensure the implementation and regular review of product program guides for all product sets.
• Coordinate and assume responsibility for compiling and communicating to all stakeholders, on a regular basis, information relevant to Trade Finance portfolio.
• Conduct regular portfolio reviews to identify areas of improvement and develop tactical plans towards achieving set risk and compliance criteria.
• Responsible for the implementation and adoption (within TB unit) of all Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions related requirements contained in policies, procedures, and processes.
• Identify and mitigate the Operational, Regulatory and Business conduct risks relating to Trade products

Brand & Culture – 10%

• Represent Bank at sales forums and industry events.
• Promote the Bank’s brand.

Application Deadline – 21 April 2022