Operations Manager - Lending Portfolio

About the role

A rapidly expanding fintech and financial services organisation serving Africa is hiring an Operations Manager to lead the development, execution and growth of its lending and asset-financing portfolio, with a strong focus on the FMCG sector and emerging markets across Nigeria. The role covers lending strategy, portfolio growth, credit partnerships and lending operations.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall lending and asset-financing strategy, and design lending products and financing structures for FMCG businesses, distributors, retailers, SMEs and other customers.
• Build relationships with banks, financial institutions, employers, FMCG companies, distributors and strategic financing partners.
• Work with Risk, Credit and Compliance to set credit and lending policies, criteria, pricing, repayment structures and portfolio limits.
• Oversee the full lending process, from customer acquisition and application through approval, disbursement, repayment and collections.
• Monitor portfolio performance, delinquency, defaults, recoveries and overall quality; strengthen underwriting and credit assessment with the Risk and Credit teams.
• Identify asset-backed financing and structured lending opportunities, and expand lending into underserved and emerging markets, including Northern Nigeria.
• Analyse market trends, competitor products and portfolio performance, and track KPIs such as loan growth, approval rates, disbursement, portfolio-at-risk, default and recovery rates.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, risk and internal governance requirements, and lead, mentor and develop the lending team.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Banking, Business Administration, Economics or a related field; a Master's or professional qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in lending, banking, fintech, asset financing, consumer finance, SME or commercial lending.
• Proven experience managing or leading a lending portfolio, and experience in the Nigerian lending market (Northern Nigeria experience highly desirable).
• Experience with FMCG, distributor, SME, asset or supply-chain financing is an advantage.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of credit underwriting, loan structuring, portfolio management, collections and credit risk.
• Experience developing lending products and financing programmes.
• Strong financial analysis, risk assessment, negotiation and decision-making skills.
• Leadership and team-management capabilities.