What are the responsibilities and job description for the Trade Finance Manager (USA) position at PHOSMARK?
About PHOSMARK Inc.
PHOSMARK Inc. is a U.S.-based physical commodity trading company with a focus on fertilizer trade flows. As the company scales its international trading activity, it is seeking a part-time Trade Finance Manager to build out its U.S. banking relationships and secure financing to support cross-border trade operations.
Role Summary
This role is responsible for two core workstreams: (1) establishing and expanding PHOSMARK's banking relationships within the United States, and (2) identifying and putting in place new financing arrangements to support the company's international trade operations. The position suits an experienced trade finance or commercial banking professional who is well-networked in the U.S. market and comfortable working independently on a part-time basis.
Key Responsibilities
1. Banking Relationship Development
- Identify and approach U.S. banks suited to servicing a physical commodity trading company — including regional and community banks, as well as larger institutions with dedicated trade finance desks
- Manage the full account-opening process, including KYC/AML documentation, corporate formation records, and beneficial ownership disclosures
- Negotiate account terms and transaction banking services (operating accounts, wire/ACH capability, multi-currency accounts)
- Build and maintain relationships with relationship managers and trade finance officers to support future credit facility discussions
- Coordinate with legal and compliance advisors to ensure adherence to U.S. banking regulations (e.g., Bank Secrecy Act, OFAC screening)
2. Trade Finance Sourcing & Structuring
- Research and identify financing providers — banks, non-bank lenders, and commodity trade finance funds — suited to financing international fertilizer trade flows
- Prepare and submit financing proposals and credit applications, coordinating internally on financial statements and trade documentation
- Structure and negotiate trade finance instruments, including letters of credit (incl. standby LCs), documentary collections, pre-export finance, borrowing base facilities, and receivables discounting
- Negotiate facility terms — pricing, covenants, and collateral/security requirements
- Monitor active facilities for covenant compliance and reporting obligations
- Liaise with the trading and operations team to align financing structures with shipment schedules and counterparty requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field
- 3 years of experience in trade finance, commercial or corporate banking, or a related role — ideally with exposure to commodity trading clients
- Working knowledge of trade finance instruments (LC/SBLC, documentary collections, borrowing base facilities, pre-export finance)
- Familiarity with U.S. account-opening and KYC/AML/OFAC requirements for corporate entities, including non-resident-owned companies
- Existing network of U.S. banking and/or trade finance contacts strongly preferred
- Strong negotiation, written communication, and relationship-management skills
- Comfortable working independently in a part-time, flexible-hours capacity
- Based in the United States, with the ability to meet banks and counterparties in person as needed
Preferred
- Experience in agricultural or fertilizer commodity trade finance
- Experience opening accounts or credit facilities for foreign-owned or newly formed U.S. entities
- Existing relationships with banks active in trade finance (e.g., Citi, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan) or regional banks serving commodity trading companies