CZ is a global supply chain solutions company with 160 years of experience in commodity trading, whose purpose is to exert a positive economic and sustainable influence in its food, beverage, and energy supply chains. CZ buys, sells, moves and de-risks commodities through a range of services including trade finance, commodities trading, analysis, freight, logistics and price risk management.
We are an entrepreneurial company, with innovation at the heart of everything we do. We are open to change, as shown through the recent expansion of our product portfolio and move into energy. Our people are our most valued asset and make the business what it is today.
CZ offers the chance to join a dynamic and exciting team of professionals and learn in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
To find out more about life and careers at CZ, visit our LinkedIn, Youtube or Glassdoor pages.
Position:
As a Collateral Management Associate within the Structured and Trade Finance team (STF) you will play a pivotal role in assisting in the operating of a pool of lender facility positions and monitoring the security and collateral of underlying transactions. This position requires a deep understanding of commodities, particularly Energy and Softs, extensive experience in collateral management obtained through Middle Office functions within banking and/or commodity trading houses and strong knowledge of collateral and loan management systems and processes, including user acceptance testing, optimisation and implementation with keen eye for automation and operational risk mitigation.
Tasks & Responsibilities
- Assist in the management of the CZ portfolio of lending and liquidity facilities, including proactive transaction management to ensure lending facilities are optimised and continually reviewed to ensure facilities are active and fit for purpose.
- Serve as the primary contact for banks/lenders regarding facility terms and deployment.
- Conduct thorough and accurate checks on facility utilisation requests, ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria and required drawdown supporting documents (transactional documents, borrowing base certificates, bills of lading, invoices, certificates of origin, and inspection reports etc).
- Perform daily reconciliation of lender loan positions within the Collateral Management System, monitoring exposure, limits, shortfalls/haircuts, margins, and concentration limits.
- Facilitate loan bookings, manage supplier payables and ensure that funding is aligned with the appropriate lender parameters and considering optimisation of bank facilities with respect to utilisation and cost.
- Ensure that cash forecasting and collateral valuation is managed pro-actively to facilitate the optimal use of and impact to the CZ cash and liquidity position.
- Effectively manage relationships with agency banks in relation to the agreed facility terms and the monitoring of compliance with facility covenants.
- Assist in negotiating the most efficient and effective facility lending conditions and cost.
- Ensure high quality of service commensurate with CZ standing as a best in class with CZ lenders.
- Ensure continuous on-going monitoring of loan and collateral positions to assure that all lending conditions are adhered to.
- Work on resolving collateral-related discrepancies and operational issues in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
- Upon necessity and request, accompany lenders in conducting warehouse and site visits and prepare subsequent reports. (Travel may be required)
- Support the management in structuring new deals, preparing and collating legal documentation, and ensuring compliance with credit approvals.
- Assist the Line Manager with ad hoc projects and reporting as required (Compliance, Risk Management, Product Control, Finance, Treasury, Credit teams).
- To take responsibility for your performance and to work together to achieve our organizational goals.
- To attend training courses which are identified as being necessary for the performance of the role.
- To be fully conversant with the Employee Handbook and supporting policies, including Health & Safety legislation and fire and emergency procedures.
- To comply with any reasonable instruction issued by your manager.
Changes in the business may occasionally require alterations in this job description and these will be agreed with the post holder as appropriate.
Your role is related to the management of activities that ensure product safety, authenticity, legality and quality. Please review the BRCGS objectives, policy and related requirements located on the Intranet.
Applies to HR, Compliance, Trading, Marketing, Operations, and Insurance Roles.
Requirements:
We are looking for someone with the following skillset and attributes:
Essential:
- Minimum 3 years of experience in a STF Middle Office role within a Bank and/or Commodity Trading House.
- Strong analytical skills with attention to detail in collateral analysis and risk management.
- Comprehensive knowledge of debt instruments pertaining to Energy and Softs commodities, including borrowing base, transactional facilities and receivable finance.
- Proven expertise in reviewing letters of credit terms and conditions and supporting documentation.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent understanding of Collateral management process and systems including system optimization multi-layer data integration and analysis with complex understanding of data entry consequence.
- Extensive experience in collateral/loan/accounting system scoping, UAT (testing), and implementation and integration.
- Business level fluency in English (both written and verbal).
- Strong I.T. skills including proficiency in Excel and Word.
- Excellent organisation and time management skills.
- Keen attention to detail and the ability to multi-task.
- Self-starter with the ability to use initiative for problem solving.
- Resourceful, innovative and proactive.
Desirable:
- Direct Trade Finance experience.
- Ability to speak a second language.
Other information:
Our values and culture
Our values show us who we are and support and drive our business activities. We view them as competitive differentiators – they engender trust, promote our reputation, help develop long-term stakeholder relationships and value, and demonstrate the importance we place on our employees and our culture.
Building strong relationships
We nurture mutually rewarding and sustainable relationships with our clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
Embracing change
Challenging convention is key; whether to make existing processes more efficient or to find new ways to benefit clients, partners and the environment.
Investing in our team
Our people are CZ’s most important asset. By investing in them and creating an environment in which they can excel, they and the business benefits.
Acting responsibly and with integrity
We treat others as equals and the planet with respect. We have a duty to ensure our activity is not to the detriment of others.
