Pre-Payment Specialist

The Prepayment Specialist is responsible for the end-to-end management of all prepayment transactions and structures within the company’s trading operations. The role ensures that advance payments made to suppliers or producers are structured, disbursed, monitored, and recovered in full compliance with trade finance standards, risk policies, and contractual terms. The incumbent acts as a key link between Front Office, Operations, Trade Finance, Treasury, and Legal teams to ensure smooth execution and risk-controlled management of prepayment deals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Deal Structuring & Documentation

• Coordinate with Front Office, Legal, and Finance to structure and document prepayment and pre-export finance transactions.
• Prepare and review Prepayment Agreements, Repayment Schedules, Security & Assignment documents, and ensure contractual compliance.
• Verify deal documentation in line with facility covenants, supplier contracts, and internal credit approvals.

2. Operational Execution

• Ensure timely disbursement of prepayments as per contractual milestones.
• Monitor underlying cargo deliveries and match them against repayment schedules.
• Track shipment data, invoices, and payment recoveries to ensure complete alignment between physical and financial flows.
• Maintain up-to-date records of all prepayment transactions in the Trade Finance system.

3. Trade Finance & Treasury Interface

• Liaise with banks and lenders for drawdowns under structured prepayment facilities.
• Manage cash flow movements related to prepayment funding, interest accruals, and repayments.
• Coordinate with Treasury to optimize working capital utilization and hedging arrangements tied to prepayments.

4. Risk & Compliance

• Monitor credit, performance, and delivery risks associated with prepaid suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with KYC, AML, and sanctions requirements for all prepayment counterparties.
• Prepare periodic exposure and performance reports for management and auditors.
• Support internal and external audits by providing reconciliations and documentary evidence.

5. Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as the key liaison between Front Office, Operations, Legal, and Finance for prepayment deal management.
• Provide operational insights to commercial teams for structuring future prepayment arrangements.
• Assist in process improvement and digitalization initiatives within the Trade Finance function.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or International Trade; a postgraduate or professional qualification (ACCA, CFA, or similar) is a plus.
• 4–7 years’ experience in Trade Finance / Structured Trade Operations within a commodity trading or banking environment.
• Strong understanding of prepayment, pre-export, and off-take financing structures.
• Knowledge of letters of credit, collateral management, incoterms, shipping documents, and trade risk controls.
• Proficiency in ERP/CTRM systems and Excel-based financial tracking.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and analytical skills.