Senior Relationship Manager – Manufacturing Sector at Equity Bank Kenya

Job Purpose:

The purpose of this role is to lead the bank’s efforts in serving and managing customer relationships within the manufacturing sector. It will focus on understanding the specific financial needs of manufacturing businesses, developing tailored banking solutions, and driving the bank’s strategy to support this key sector. The Senior Manager will be responsible for developing and managing client portfolios, providing expert financial guidance, and fostering long-term, trusted relationships with manufacturing clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong, trusted long-term relationships with key clients and stakeholders within the manufacturing sector, including CFOs, CEOs, and other senior executives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for high value manufacturing clients, understanding their financial needs and challenges.
• Identify new business opportunities within the manufacturing sector and drive the growth of the client base.
• Collaborate with the bank’s product and services teams to offer customized solutions such as working capital financing, trade finance, equipment financing, and cash management solutions.
• Lead strategic initiatives to expand the bank’s presence and offering to manufacturing clients, including organizing events and outreach programs specific to the sector.
• Identifying and developing new business proposals efficiently and expeditiously to ensure that potential new business opportunities are not lost to competitors.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and segment teams to align the bank’s manufacturing strategy with market opportunities and client requirements.
• Work closely with credit and risk teams to ensure that client proposals align with the bank’s risk management framework.
• Recommend appropriate credit facilities, pricing, and risk mitigation strategies to support the manufacturing clients’ financing needs.
• Establishing and Managing Strategic partnership agreements with key partners within the manufacturing industry.
• Understand the key trends and challenges in the manufacturing industry, how they impact client needs and effective mitigation strategies.
• keeps abreast of the latest developments in the manufacturing sector, understanding the impact of market fluctuations, technological changes, or new regulations on clients' businesses to anticipate client needs and offer relevant solutions.
• Ensure adherence of all bank’s prescribed processes, standard operating procedures and central bank requirements.
• Role Models the Brand and Corporate Values of the Bank both internally and externally.
• Works as part of a team for the purpose of winning together.
• Proposal Writing
• Market Intelligence
• Internal and External Stakeholder management 
• Product Development

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. An MBA or relevant financial certifications (CFA, FRM) is a plus.

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in Corporate or SME banking - relationship management, product knowledge and risk management with at least 3-5 years of experience working specifically with manufacturing clients.
• Proven track record in managing large client portfolios and driving business growth in a banking or financial services environment.
• Strong understanding of the financial needs and challenges faced by manufacturing businesses, including financing, cash flow management, and working capital.
• Sound knowledge of the Banking Act and the regulatory framework in the Financial Services Industry.
• Able to apply financial knowledge and skills to achieve business goals.
• Able to identify and minimize potential and inherent risks in banking.
• Communicates effectively and is able to explain complex Business issues.
• Track record of motivating, managing and developing individuals and teams to achieve results.
• Proficient in the use of Banking and office management systems.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Goal focused and able to spot business opportunities.
• Builds networks and maintains strong relationships.
• Able to manage and influence others to achieve results.
• Has passion and drive to achieve results under difficult circumstances.
• Pleasant and able to relate well in diverse social set ups and teams.
• Upholds high standard of Professionalism, integrity, and respect for others.

Management and leadership ability:

• Able to identify, motivate and develop talent within the Bank.
• Capacity to influence decisions at senior management levels
• Communicates effectively
• Drives high performance in teams