SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:
A leading specialist agricultural financial institution is seeking an experienced Relationship Manager – Agricultural & Commercial Banking to drive loan book growth, manage strategic client relationships, and support sustainable agricultural development in the Ermelo region.
This role is ideal for a commercially astute banking professional with strong agricultural sector exposure, credit assessment expertise, and a proven ability to structure and manage complex lending transactions.
Key Responsibilities:
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Client Relationship & Portfolio Management
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Take full ownership of the client lifecycle from origination to ongoing portfolio management.
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Build and maintain strong relationships with commercial and development farmers.
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Conduct regular client visits and proactively identify growth opportunities.
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Resolve client queries and escalations effectively.
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Loan Origination & Deal Structuring
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Assess client viability, past performance, and transaction potential.
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Structure and motivate credit applications in collaboration with Credit, Risk, Legal, and Agricultural Specialists.
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Analyse financial statements, governance structures, competitive positioning, and business models.
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Ensure all documentation is obtained and transactions are properly structured.
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Portfolio Growth & Financial Performance
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Drive growth of the lending loan book.
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Manage non-performing loans (NPLs) and monitor portfolio health.
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Ensure appropriate pricing to maintain positive net interest margins.
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Onboard new-to-bank clients and generate cross-sell opportunities, including insurance.
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Agricultural Sector Development
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Promote financial solutions to support transformation and sustainability in the agricultural sector.
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Present products and services to farmer groups and industry stakeholders.
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Identify emerging farming enterprises and support commercially viable development initiatives.
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Stakeholder & Risk Management
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Collaborate closely with Credit, Risk, Legal and Agricultural Advisory teams.
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Ensure compliance with governance, policies, and regulatory requirements.
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Escalate risks appropriately and maintain oversight of application progress.
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People & Process Management
Minimum Requirements:
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Relevant 3-year qualification in Commerce, Business, Banking or related field.
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3–5 years’ experience in client relationship management within banking or financial services.
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Experience assessing agricultural business cases and interpreting financial statements.
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Sound knowledge of credit principles, risk assessment, and commercial transaction structuring.
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Strong financial and business acumen.
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Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively.
This opportunity suits a driven Relationship Manager – Agricultural & Commercial Banking who combines strong credit skills with deep relationship management capability and a passion for supporting growth within the agricultural sector.
