Senior Credit Specialist

at  Agriculture Financial Services Corporation

At AFSC, we want to work with talented people from a wide range of backgrounds. We strive to create a psychologically safe environment where we can all be ourselves and perform to the best of our abilities. We care about each other, about Alberta and about agriculture. We are innovative, knowledgeable, and diverse and love what Albertan agriculture produces for people around the world. The perseverance and hard work we see from our clients inspires us to show that same work ethic in everything that we do. Working together, we grow and sustain the agriculture industry in Alberta.
Posting will close 30th of August 2024.
Location is flexible, within Alberta, dependent on the successful applicant. OR
This position reports to the Senior Manager, Credit Risk and is responsible for leading the process of credit analysis and adjudication for higher value/complexity loan submissions, providing guidance and leadership to Credit Specialists as well as lending and special accounts staff, developing and enhancing lending policies and procedures, managing loan portfolio risk, and providing credit matter expertise on corporate projects and initiatives.

What will growth look like for you?

• Work with like-minded individuals on a team across the province of Alberta who share a passion for agriculture and agribusiness.
• Make impactful decisions and direction using AFSC’s lending policy, procedures and guidelines
• Provide direction and guidance to a team of lenders on credit terms, conditions and structure for agriculture and agribusiness
• Team player with openness for direction and assistance of others. Easy to approach, open for feedback, attention to details and always willing to support.
• Use of your strong industry knowledge to further support AFSC’s lending portfolio adjudication, administration, use of risk rating tools and support the risks associated.
• Contribute and develop key portfolio performance indicators.

What will you be responsible for?

• Ensuring that AFSC lending policies, procedures and guidelines are aligned with best credit practices and AFSC’s risk appetite
• Use data from a wide range of sources to analyze key risk indicators
• Provide specialized training, guidance, direction and leadership on primary production, agribusiness and commercial credit related matters
• Analyze financial information, assesses and adjudicate transactions including those with significant risk providing sound proposals to address clients’ needs. Concur transactions within discretionary limits within an established service level agreement
• Responsible for monitoring AFSC lending portfolio risk and ensuring actions are taken and disclosures provided to mitigate and report on credit risks outside of corporate risk appetite
• Execute on team tactical planning including participation and support of corporate initiatives to achieve strategic objectives

What are we looking for from you?

• Thorough understanding of best lending credit practices to maintain a quality portfolio as it relates to primary production and agribusiness
• Extensive financial, accounting and business risk assessment skills
• Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments
• Strong communication with ability to make difficult decisions. Ability to articulate rationale for decisions and engage in constructive conversations with lenders to extract and convey credit analysis
• Ability to understand key measures of portfolio quality. Can support and development of metrics for effective monitoring of portfolio risk.
• Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with service level agreements.
• Ability to assess and provide guidance on turnaround opportunities on non-performing loans.
• Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity and authenticity.
• In depth knowledge of AFSC lending products.
• Detailed knowledge of the agriculture industry including agribusiness.

What else is in it for you?

• Health, dental, and vision benefits on your first day of employment
• Health Spending Account
• Corporate functions
• Winter Holiday closure
• PSPP contributions
• Generous vacation and special leave days
• Health and wellness initiatives

Qualifications

• Preferred - Bachelor’s degree in commerce, agriculture or related field and 15 years of experience
• Minimum - Diploma agriculture or related field and 17 years of experience
• Advanced accounting and/or industry knowledge would be considered an asset

Candidates may be considered based on a combination of education and experience.
About AFSC
For over 80 years Agriculture Financial Services (AFSC) has provided Alberta’s agricultural producers and agribusinesses with loans, crop insurance and farm income disaster assistance. At AFSC, we’re proud of the work we do to help build a strong, growing and diversified agriculture and agri-food industry in Alberta. Many AFSC team members are also producers and know first-hand the challenges and rewards Alberta producers face.
https://afsc.ca/about-afsc

• Ensuring that AFSC lending policies, procedures and guidelines are aligned with best credit practices and AFSC’s risk appetite
• Use data from a wide range of sources to analyze key risk indicators
• Provide specialized training, guidance, direction and leadership on primary production, agribusiness and commercial credit related matters
• Analyze financial information, assesses and adjudicate transactions including those with significant risk providing sound proposals to address clients’ needs. Concur transactions within discretionary limits within an established service level agreement
• Responsible for monitoring AFSC lending portfolio risk and ensuring actions are taken and disclosures provided to mitigate and report on credit risks outside of corporate risk appetite
• Execute on team tactical planning including participation and support of corporate initiatives to achieve strategic objective