Job Type
Full-time
Description
Come build your career at Lactalis, the world’s largest dairy company, and a house of beloved and iconic dairy brands. We are seeking ambitious and talented candidates to join our USA Legal team.
Lactalis USA produces award-winning nutritious and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. We offer an enviable range of dairy brands including Galbani®, Président®, Kraft® Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond®, Parmalat®, Siggi’s®, and Stonyfield Organic® in addition to several brands imported from our affiliates in Europe. Across the United States the company has four business divisions with approximately 3,500 employees, 11 manufacturing sites and corporate offices located in New York City and Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, Londonderry, NH and San Fernando, CA. Lactalis USA is part of Lactalis Group, the world’s largest dairy company with more than 85,500 employees worldwide, and a French family business founded in 1933 in France.
Lactalis’ core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace and we know that our candidates come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we still encourage you to apply and share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE! You may be just the perfect candidate for this or other roles within our company.
From your PASSION to ours
The Senior Counsel, Contracts & Strategic Transactions will provide day-to-day support for a variety of the Company’s operational activities, including managing direct and indirect procurement contracts, drafting and negotiating complex agreements, and handling a wide array of other commercial issues that arise. Primary focus will be on procurement matter management, contract review and negotiation, and complex commercial transactions, such as outsourcing arrangements, and strategic transactions. The position will report to the Chief Legal Officer, USA (“CLO”). The position can be based out of any of our corporate offices in Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, or Londonderry, NH.
From your EXPERTISE to ours
Key responsibilities for this position include:
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts of all types.
- Advise on day-to-day commercial contracting issues.
- Collaborate with Legal team members to build and maintain: a library of templates to improve the efficiency of the contracting process, a playbook of contracting best practices, contract lifecycle management policies and procedures, harmonized standard contract provisions (e.g., indemnification, insurance coverage, GDPR, regulatory compliance, etc.).
- Collaborate cross-divisionally and cross-functionally (e.g., with Procurement, Accounting, Tax, Commercial, Manufacturing, Supply Chain) to meet business needs and achieve desired results in a negotiated agreement in a timely manner.
- Continuously improve the Legal team’s contracting services through technology, innovation, and prioritization, and by directing attorney review time towards high-priority and high-risk contracts and away from low-priority and low-risk contracts.
- Communicate contract status to, and align on prioritization with, key stakeholders.
- Ensure consistency of contract terms and conditions with Company policies and procedures.
- Liaise with the divisional General Counsels and/or Associate General Counsels, as needed.
- Monitor new legislation, case law, and emerging business challenges and modify templates and the playbook accordingly.
- Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required.
- This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
- To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone and / or allowance(s) may be provided.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities.
Requirements
From your STORY to ours
Qualified applicants will contribute the following
Education & Experience
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school, and at least one bar admission.
- 7+ years law firm and/or in-house commercial law experience handling a variety of transaction types.
Specialized Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Deliver high-quality, cost-effective legal services to a range of stakeholders across the organization, providing practical advice and facilitating creative problem-solving and informed decision-making.
- Shows initiative and the ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in a complex business environment.
- Takes active ownership of areas of responsibility. A self-motivated strong teammate with the ability to identify and get out ahead of problems.
- Demonstrates strategic ability.
- Anticipates legal issues and estimates legal risks.
- Develops creative, proactive, and practical solutions to mitigate legal risks in support of the business.
- Models high ethics and integrity.
- Possesses an eagerness and ability to understand the business.
- Possesses excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication (verbal and written), relationship management, and internal client service skills.
- Acute attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects at a given time.
- Demonstrates excellent negotiation skills.
- Operates well in multi-functional teams and a fast-paced environment.
- Is committed to continuous improvement, company mission and values, training, and continued education on changing laws and regulations.
- Creates processes and procedures that effectively mitigate legal and regulatory risk.
- Is a quick and flexible learner: intellectually curious, open-minded, adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity and risk, and excited by dynamic change.
- Can make sound, complex cost/benefit assessments.
- Inspires trust, forges relationships quickly, builds consensus and earns the confidence and cooperation of divisional business partners.
Salary Description
$115,000 – $130,000