Our client, a global Organization for Investment in Financing with the Mission of generate Impact is seeking for a Customer Representative – South America – Located in Peru.

RESPONSABILITIES

To support the Lending Manager - South America (LM SA) by maintaining Shared Interest’s lending portfolio in the region and through the execution of various administrative tasks. Builds and develops relationships with existing customers through regular contact and visits.

KEY TASK

Core Tasks

• Manages a portfolio of existing customers, paying special attention to each customer’s key lending risks and financial needs, carrying out agreed visit plans (if safety conditions are met), and preparing various related performance reports.
• Conducts the annual review of customer facilities ensuring that all required information is gathered, analysed and reported. Processes facility increases if required.
• Works in an assigned geographical area to maximise lending income, maintain a quality portfolio, and control risks effectively.
• Handles customer transactions.
• Follows up any customers not fully utilising their facilities or where further investigation is required (e.g. bad debts).
• Develops and maintains excellent relationship with both new and existing customers. Attends trade fairs, partner forums and other ad hoc activities involving customers & potential customers as required.
• Develops relationships with networks and partners within the region.
• Manages administrative tasks for the regional office.
• Supports the work of the Foundation.

People

• Communicates regularly with the LM SA to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
• Works closely with Latin America and UK colleagues as required.
• Liaises with other overseas members of the Lending Team.
• Builds and maintains relationships with existing customers.

Key Business reporting and administration

• Keeps Shared Interest updated on status of annual reviews in the pipeline.
• Provides regular updates to the Lending Team regarding reviews and customers in arrears.
• Contributes to the annual business planning and budget process.
• Maintains accurate records using the agreed systems and trackers.
• Prepares and submits required reports on a monthly basis.
• Provides case studies, articles and other reporting/internal communication.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• At least 2 years experience of working in a customer-facing role
• Excellent customer relationship management skills
• Extensive experience in credit appraisal and evidence of understanding and interpreting financial statements and information
• Ability to assess cash flows
• Sound business analysis skills
• Experience of working in and being sensitive to different cultures
• Detail-conscious and accurate
• Excellent report writing
• Experience of working, and building relationships, with others who are based remotely and good at building and managing relationships by phone
• Excellent communication, influencing and listening skills, including presentation skills and verbal and written communications with a wide range of people from different backgrounds
• Results-focused, evidence of achievement of meeting and exceeding sales targets
• Excellent team-working and team-building skills
• Excellent networking skills
• Experience of working internationally
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines – a completer/finisher
• Extensive local, regional knowledge
• IT literate - MS Office and the internet
• Self-motivated proactive, organised and able to use initiative, work remotely and to prioritise in a multi-task environment

Desirable

• Experience of working with SMEs/co-operatives
• Experience in a lending environment
• Experience of developing and maximizing partnerships with other organizations e.g. NGOs, banks etc
• International Development background (Fair Trade an advantage)
• An understanding of the agriculture sector

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Educated to at least university degree level or equivalent (ideally in business administration, finance, sales management, accounting, or equivalent)
• Or equivalent work experience
• Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and oral

LIMITS OF AUTHORITY

• Support the LM SA in managing the team’s expenditure within the approved budget
• Submit all expense claims promptly and manage credit card expenses (if any) within the credit limit
• Gain line management approval to all purchase orders including agreeing travel in advance with their line manager

OTHER

Essential

• Strong social motivation: commitment to, and empathy with, the aims and objectives of the Society and Foundation
• Flexibility: In general, Shared Interest is a small organisation, you may well be asked to cover for other members of staff during sickness, annual leave etc. As our clients work across different time zones, you will also need to be flexible regarding your hours of work
• Team working: as Shared Interest is a small organisation, getting along with your colleagues is essential. As part of your personal development programme, you will be asked to be a member of various cross-departmental project teams in order to meet specific objectives
• Fair trade and overseas development: it is essential for our employees to have an understanding of the main issues
• Willingness and ability to travel widely (occasionally alone) within the region and overseas