Agri-business Relationship Manager

Job Title: Agribusiness Relationship Manager

About the Role

The Agribusiness Relationship Manager (Agri RM) is responsible for originating, developing, and managing profitable agribusiness relationships across the entire agricultural value chain, with a strong focus on market-driven agriculture. The role drives business growth through acquisition and management of commercial farmers, aggregators, processors, off-takers, cooperatives, input suppliers, exporters, and other strategic value chain players while supporting primary production financing. The Agri RM creates sustainable ecosystems that improve market access, strengthen value-chain linkages, mobilize deposits, grow quality lending portfolios, and enhance the bank’s position as the preferred agribusiness partner.

Key Responsibilities

Agribusiness Value Chain Development

• Drive agribusiness growth through identification and acquisition of clients across priority agricultural value chains.
• Develop and manage relationships with:
  • Commercial and large-scale farmers
  • Farmer cooperatives and producer organizations
  • Aggregators and collection centers
  • Agro-processors and manufacturers
  • Off-takers and structured buyers
  • Input suppliers and agro-dealers
  • Exporters and commodity traders
  • Livestock value chain participants
• Build integrated value-chain financing programs that connect producers to reliable markets and suppliers.
• Champion ecosystem-based banking solutions that support agricultural commercialization rather than standalone lending.

Market Access & Structured Agriculture Financing

• Lead market-access initiatives by creating partnerships with processors, exporters, retailers, factories, and institutional buyers.
• Structure bankable financing models anchored on signed contracts, warehouse receipt systems, supply agreements, and value-chain relationships.
• Identify and onboard anchor firms and off-takers capable of supporting sustainable agricultural financing programs.
• Promote contract farming, aggregation, and structured trade models that ensure predictable cashflows and facilitate loan repayment.
• Support clients in accessing local, regional, and export markets.

Strategic Partnerships & Risk Sharing

• Develop relationships with development partners, guarantee providers, insurers, government agencies, NGOs, and agricultural support institutions.
• Structure and leverage risk-sharing facilities, credit guarantees, blended finance programs, and agricultural insurance solutions.
• Collaborate with technical assistance providers and ecosystem partners to strengthen client capacity and portfolio performance.
• Drive partnerships that de-risk agricultural lending and improve portfolio quality.

Relationship Management & Business Growth

• Manage and grow a portfolio of agribusiness clients while deepening wallet share through cross-selling.
• Develop client account plans and relationship growth strategies.
• Mobilize low-cost deposits and drive non-funded income opportunities.
• Serve as the primary relationship contact for assigned clients.
• Deliver exceptional customer experience and ensure high retention levels.

Credit Origination & Portfolio Management

• Source, assess, structure, and recommend agribusiness credit facilities.
• Conduct value-chain analysis, cashflow assessments, and risk evaluations.
• Prepare quality credit proposals and ensure compliance with lending policies.
• Monitor portfolio performance and proactively manage early warning signals.
• Maintain a high-quality loan book and minimize portfolio-at-risk (PAR) levels.

Primary Agriculture & Farm Financing

• Support financing solutions for crop, livestock, dairy, poultry, fisheries, horticulture, and other primary production enterprises.
• Advise farmers on working capital, seasonal finance, mechanization, irrigation, infrastructure development, and productivity-enhancing investments.
• Maintain strong knowledge of farming systems, production cycles, commodity markets, and emerging agricultural trends.
• Facilitate transition of farmers from subsistence production to commercially viable and market-oriented enterprises.

Risk, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory, credit, AML/KYC, and internal risk management requirements.
• Maintain sound portfolio monitoring and credit administration standards.
• Promote responsible lending and sustainability principles across the agribusiness portfolio.
• Ensure proper documentation, monitoring, and reporting of all facilities and partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Banking, Business, or related field.
• Professional banking qualification (AKIB/ACIB or equivalent) is an added advantage.
• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in relationship management, agribusiness banking, agricultural finance, or value-chain development.
• Demonstrated experience working with commercial farmers, processors, aggregators, cooperatives, development partners, and agricultural value-chain actors.
• Strong understanding of agricultural production systems, commodity markets, structured finance, and risk-sharing mechanisms.