Careeers at Merchant West

Role Purpose:

• The Portfolio Manager is responsible for managing and overseeing a portfolio of client facilities by ensuring strong portfolio performance, effective risk management, and high levels of client service. The role involves monitoring client exposures, maintaining ongoing client relationships, and ensuring compliance with Merchant West credit policies and governance frameworks. The Portfolio Manager also provides guidance on complex transactions, supports deal structuring where required, and works closely with internal stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability and quality of the portfolio.

Responsibilities:

Portfolio Management and Performance

• Manage and oversee a portfolio of client facilities to ensure strong financial performance.
• Monitor client exposures, repayment performance, and asset quality within the portfolio.
• Ensure the portfolio performs in line with Merchant West profitability and risk targets.

Client Relationship Management

• Maintain strong relationships with existing clients to ensure ongoing service excellence.
• Engage with clients to understand business needs and identify additional opportunities.
• Address client queries and manage relationship issues in a timely and professional manner.

Portfolio Risk Monitoring

• Monitor financial performance of clients and identify potential credit risks.
• Ensure compliance with approved credit terms, covenants, and facility conditions.
• Escalate potential risk concerns and recommend appropriate corrective action.

Deal Structuring and Transaction Support

• Support business units with the structuring of new or amended transactions within the portfolio.
• Review financial information to assess the impact of restructuring or additional funding requests.
• Provide input on risk mitigation strategies where required.

Reporting and Portfolio Administration

• Prepare portfolio performance reports and updates for management.
• Maintain accurate client records and portfolio documentation.
• Ensure compliance with internal reporting and monitoring requirements.

Credit Governance and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to Merchant West credit policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Maintain proper documentation and audit trails for portfolio decisions and actions.
• Support internal audit and compliance requirements related to portfolio management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field of Agriculture, with a postgraduate qualification or professional certification in finance, credit, or risk management being advantageous.

Experience:

• 5 - 10 years’ experience in portfolio management, credit, or asset finance relating to agriculture
• 2 – 5 years’ experience in an agriculture finance sales position with a recognised agriculture finance provider (preferred)

Skills:

• Ability to understand farming operations and analyse farming cashflows for reasonability and historical financial statements
• Portfolio management and performance monitoring
• Financial statement analysis and credit risk evaluation
• Deal structuring and transaction assessment
• Client relationship and stakeholder management
• Portfolio reporting and financial analysis
• Credit policy interpretation and application
• Financial modelling and cash flow analysis
• Portfolio systems and financial software utilisation

Competencies:

• Commercial judgement and financial acumen
• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Decision making and sound risk judgement
• Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
• Negotiation and influencing capability
• Accountability and ownership
• Results orientation and performance focus
• Integrity and governance discipline
   

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Role Purpose: 

• We’re looking for 10 ambitious individuals who are ready to take the first step in their careers by joining our ARISE Programme — an exciting full-time, permanent opportunity across Cape Town and Johannesburg designed to accelerate your career at Merchant West! 
• This rotational journey will give you hands-on experience across our Lending businesses, equipping you with essential skills in credit analysis, operations, legal, compliance and ultimately sales. You'll gain invaluable insights, setting the stage for you to become a top-tier Portfolio Manager within one of our dynamic lending solutions. 
• By the end of the programme, you'll step into a full-time Portfolio Manager role, specialising in the product area that fuels your passion and aligns with your strengths. If you're ready to kickstart a rewarding career with us, this is your opportunity! 

Main Accountabilities:

• Play a crucial role in expanding our business, enhancing profitability, and building robust client relationships through proactive new business development, meticulous financial analysis, and strategic cross-selling
• Identify and pursue fresh business prospects within your chosen product area 
• Develop and sustain a dynamic pipeline of potential clients and deals, ensuring a steady flow of opportunities 
• Analyse market dynamics to seize emerging opportunities and stay ahead of the curve 
• Conduct in-depth assessments of client needs and propose customised financial solutions that align with their goals 
• Work closely with internal teams to craft deals that meet both client needs and company objectives 
• Engage in negotiations to secure terms and conditions that are advantageous for both clients and Merchant West 
• Assess the financial feasibility of proposed deals and their potential impact on overall profitability 
• Oversee the smooth and timely execution of new business transactions from start to finish 
• Cultivate strong connections with existing clients to uncover additional business needs and promote complementary products and services from the Merchant West Group
• Focus on delivering high-quality leads to other business units within the Merchant West Group, prioritising quality over quantity 

Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree in commerce, with a preference for Accounting, Economics, or Finance 

Experience: 

• No prior work experience required – we’re looking for motivated individuals eager to learn and grow within a dynamic environment
• Clear criminal and credit record 

Skills: 

• Demonstrated enthusiasm for selling financial products and engaging in client-facing roles 
• A strong interest in financial services and a drive to develop a career in sales within this sector
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain client relationships 
• Strong analytical skills to understand and interpret financial data and market trends 
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new processes and financial products 
• Collaborative mindset with a readiness to work closely with internal teams and stakeholders 
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all tasks and responsibilities 
• Demonstrated willingness and eagerness to continuously learn and grow in a fast-paced environment 

Competencies: 

• Stakeholder management 
• Communication
• Problem-solving 
• Collaboration 
• Attention to detail 
   

go to method of application »

Role Purpose: 

• We’re looking for 10 ambitious individuals who are ready to take the first step in their careers by joining our ARISE Programme — an exciting full-time, permanent opportunity across Cape Town and Johannesburg designed to accelerate your career at Merchant West! 
• This rotational journey will give you hands-on experience across our Lending businesses, equipping you with essential skills in credit analysis, operations, legal, compliance and ultimately sales. You'll gain invaluable insights, setting the stage for you to become a top-tier Portfolio Manager within one of our dynamic lending solutions. 
• By the end of the programme, you'll step into a full-time Portfolio Manager role, specialising in the product area that fuels your passion and aligns with your strengths. If you're ready to kickstart a rewarding career with us, this is your opportunity! 

Main Accountabilities:

• Play a crucial role in expanding our business, enhancing profitability, and building robust client relationships through proactive new business development, meticulous financial analysis, and strategic cross-selling
• Identify and pursue fresh business prospects within your chosen product area 
• Develop and sustain a dynamic pipeline of potential clients and deals, ensuring a steady flow of opportunities 
• Analyse market dynamics to seize emerging opportunities and stay ahead of the curve 
• Conduct in-depth assessments of client needs and propose customised financial solutions that align with their goals 
• Work closely with internal teams to craft deals that meet both client needs and company objectives 
• Engage in negotiations to secure terms and conditions that are advantageous for both clients and Merchant West 
• Assess the financial feasibility of proposed deals and their potential impact on overall profitability 
• Oversee the smooth and timely execution of new business transactions from start to finish 
• Cultivate strong connections with existing clients to uncover additional business needs and promote complementary products and services from the Merchant West Group
• Focus on delivering high-quality leads to other business units within the Merchant West Group, prioritising quality over quantity 

Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree in commerce, with a preference for Accounting, Economics, or Finance 

Experience: 

• No prior work experience required – we’re looking for motivated individuals eager to learn and grow within a dynamic environment
• Clear criminal and credit record 

Skills: 

• Demonstrated enthusiasm for selling financial products and engaging in client-facing roles 
• A strong interest in financial services and a drive to develop a career in sales within this sector
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain client relationships 
• Strong analytical skills to understand and interpret financial data and market trends 
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new processes and financial products 
• Collaborative mindset with a readiness to work closely with internal teams and stakeholders 
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all tasks and responsibilities 
• Demonstrated willingness and eagerness to continuously learn and grow in a fast-paced environment 

Competencies: 

• Stakeholder management 
• Communication
• Problem-solving 
• Collaboration 
• Attention to detail 

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Role Purpose:

• The Senior Financial Manager is responsible for overseeing the financial management and reporting functions of the business by ensuring accurate financial records, effective financial controls, and compliance with regulatory and governance standards. The role supports strategic decision-making through financial analysis, budgeting, and performance monitoring while ensuring the integrity of financial information. The Financial Manager works closely with senior management and operational teams to support financial planning, optimise financial performance, and maintain strong financial governance within Merchant West.

Main Accountabilities:

Credit Risk Assessment and Analysis

• Conduct detailed credit assessments of new and existing clients in line with Merchant West credit policies.
• Analyse financial statements, cash flows, and risk indicators to determine creditworthiness.
• Identify potential risks and recommend appropriate risk mitigation measures.

Financial Reporting and Management Accounts

• Prepare and review accurate monthly management accounts and financial reports in line with reporting deadlines.
• Ensure financial reports provide clear insights into business performance and financial position.
• Maintain accuracy and integrity of financial data used for internal and external reporting.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Develop and manage annual budgets aligned with strategic business objectives.
• Monitor budget performance and analyse variances against actual results.
• Provide financial forecasts to support planning and business decision-making.

Financial Controls and Compliance

• Ensure strong financial controls are implemented and maintained across finance processes.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, internal policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal and external audit processes and address audit findings where required.

Cash Flow and Treasury Management

• Monitor and manage the organisation’s cash flow and liquidity position.
• Ensure timely management of payments, collections, and treasury activities.
• Provide regular cash flow forecasts to support financial planning. 

Financial Analysis and Business Performance

• Provide financial analysis and insights to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Monitor financial performance indicators and identify areas for improvement.
• Support business units with financial analysis and performance reporting.

Finance Team Leadership and Operational Oversight

• Provide leadership and guidance to the finance team to ensure effective performance.
• Ensure timely completion of financial processes and operational finance tasks.
• Promote strong financial governance and accountability within the finance function

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Professional qualification such as CA(SA), CIMA, or ACCA is required or strongly preferred.
• Postgraduate qualification in Finance, Business, or Management would be advantageous.

Experience:

• 3 - 5 years of Post Article Experience.
• Managing and overseeing financial reporting, management accounts, and financial statements.
• Leading budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Overseeing financial controls, compliance, and audit processes.
• Managing cash flow, treasury functions, and financial performance analysis.
• Leading finance teams and driving financial strategy and operational efficiency.

Skills:

• Financial management and reporting
• Budgeting and financial planning
• Financial analysis and business performance monitoring
• Cash flow and treasury management
• Financial controls and regulatory compliance
• Management accounting and variance analysis
• Financial systems and reporting tools utilisation
• Team leadership and finance operations management

Competencies:

• Commercial judgement and financial acumen
• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Decision making and sound financial judgement
• Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
• Leadership and team development
• Accountability and ownership
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Integrity and governance discipline