A leading specialist agricultural financial institution is seeking an experienced Relationship Manager – Agricultural & Commercial Banking to drive loan book growth, manage strategic client relationships, and support sustainable agricultural development in the Worcester, Western Cape region.

This role is ideal for a commercially astute banking professional with strong agricultural sector exposure, credit assessment expertise, and a proven ability to structure and manage complex lending transactions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Relationship & Portfolio Management

  • Take full ownership of the client lifecycle from origination to ongoing portfolio management.

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with commercial and development farmers.

  • Conduct regular client visits and proactively identify growth opportunities.

  • Resolve client queries and escalations effectively.

• Loan Origination & Deal Structuring

  • Assess client viability, past performance, and transaction potential.

  • Structure and motivate credit applications in collaboration with Credit, Risk, Legal, and Agricultural Specialists.

  • Analyse financial statements, governance structures, competitive positioning, and business models.

  • Ensure all documentation is obtained and transactions are properly structured.

• Portfolio Growth & Financial Performance

  • Drive growth of the lending loan book.

  • Manage non-performing loans (NPLs) and monitor portfolio health.

  • Ensure appropriate pricing to maintain positive net interest margins.

  • Onboard new-to-bank clients and generate cross-sell opportunities, including insurance.

• Agricultural Sector Development

  • Promote financial solutions to support transformation and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

  • Present products and services to farmer groups and industry stakeholders.

  • Identify emerging farming enterprises and support commercially viable development initiatives.

• Stakeholder & Risk Management

  • Collaborate closely with Credit, Risk, Legal and Agricultural Advisory teams.

  • Ensure compliance with governance, policies, and regulatory requirements.

  • Escalate risks appropriately and maintain oversight of application progress.

• People & Process Management

  • Support and guide Client Analysts.

  • Contribute to continuous process improvement and efficiency initiatives.

Minimum Requirements:

• Relevant 3-year qualification in Commerce, Business, Banking or related field.

• 3–5 years’ experience in client relationship management within banking or financial services.

• Experience assessing agricultural business cases and interpreting financial statements.

• Sound knowledge of credit principles, risk assessment, and commercial transaction structuring.

• Strong financial and business acumen.

• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively.

This opportunity suits a driven Relationship Manager – Agricultural & Commercial Banking who combines strong credit skills with deep relationship management capability and a passion for supporting growth within the agricultural sector.