Distressed Debt & Restructuring Specialist (Agribusiness)

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

A leading specialist agricultural financial institution is seeking an experienced Agricultural Specialist – Workout & Restructuring to manage distressed banking clients and implement sustainable turnaround strategies.

This role focuses on identifying innovative restructuring solutions, managing high-risk agricultural accounts, and driving successful business rescue and recovery outcomes. The successful candidate will bring strong credit analysis capability, commercial acumen, and hands-on turnaround experience within the agricultural or banking sector.

Key Responsibilities:

Workout & Restructuring Portfolio Management

• Take ownership of a portfolio of distressed agricultural and commercial banking clients.

• Conduct full diagnostic assessments and preliminary due diligence.

• Engage Credit, Legal, Banking and Collections teams to assess risk exposure.

• Develop and recommend innovative commercial restructuring solutions.

• Determine long-term business and financial viability.

Turnaround Strategy & Implementation

• Formulate and implement business rescue and turnaround plans.

• Negotiate equitable restructuring agreements that protect the Bank’s interests.

• Collaborate with Legal to structure and finalise loan, equity and security agreements.

• Manage the end-to-end restructuring process from assessment to execution.

Monitoring & Performance Oversight

• Monitor performance of restructured accounts against approved turnaround plans.

• Analyse financial performance and address variances proactively.

• Present performance updates to governance structures (e.g. Credit Committees, EXCO, Board).

• Provide input into impairment assessments in collaboration with Finance.

Advisory & Risk Mitigation

• Advise internal stakeholders on early identification of high-risk accounts.

• Support Banking teams with expert restructuring input during client engagements.

• Contribute to policy and process improvements within the workout environment.

• Represent the function at internal and external forums where restructuring expertise is required.

Reporting & Governance

• Maintain accurate record keeping in line with governance standards.

• Compile detailed portfolio and trend reports.

• Ensure systems are updated and audit findings are addressed with corrective action plans.

Minimum Requirements:

• BCom or relevant 3-year qualification in Business, Agriculture or Commerce.

• 3–5 years’ banking experience, including:

  • Deal structuring and credit analysis

  • Agricultural finance exposure

  • Structured trade and commodity finance

  • Business turnaround and distressed client management

• Strong financial modelling and credit assessment skills.

• Sound knowledge of legal procedures related to restructuring and recovery.

• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel.

This opportunity is ideally suited to a commercially minded Agricultural Specialist – Workout & Restructuring who thrives in complex, high-risk environments and can deliver practical, financially sound turnaround solutions within the agricultural and commercial banking sector.