In House-Counsel

Company: ofi
Location: Chicago
Posted on: September 21, 2023

Job Description:

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and a more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we're with, whatever we're doing, we always make it real. Position Summary Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Legal, General Counsel for the Americas Region, the In-House Counsel will serve as a pro-active, strategic business partner to advise the business and ensure the company follows all required Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. They will work actively as a partner to the organization to further the business goals of ofi. The In-House Counsel will work with business units across North America and globally. The ideal candidate for this position should have a strong understanding and working knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws and regulations pertaining to the importation, processing, and production of food or other regulated products. They should come with a strong academic and professional background with exemplary ethical standards and integrity. Ability to work in a matrixed organization and a fast-paced environment with multiple competing demands and business customers is required. They should be a self-starter, able to work well in an individual and team environment. This position will require an individual who is able to consistently exercise sound judgement related to allocation of risk while also having the ability to suggest legal/business-focused alternatives. Position Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate, alongside business personnel, under swift time constraints, a variety of contracts with vendors, customers and other third parties. Examples include Supply Agreements, MSAs, Consulting Agreements, Software License Agreements, Purchase Orders, Lease Agreements, etc.
• Advise the business and operations teams with a clear understanding of the meaning and implication of legal documents to the business, especially on food related regulatory rules and regulations.
• Handle, prepare and review documents related to corporate law matters, real estate transactions, environmental/health/safety matters, litigation, and data privacy among other business legal matters.
• Mentor other department members.
• Work on cross-functional projects within the legal department.
• Support business leadership, as well as other members of the Region Legal group, by researching and analyzing complex legal issues and providing advice that ensures compliance with rules and regulations.
• Assist in the development of policies and practices based on federal, state, and local legal requirements.
• Stay current on legal and regulatory issues affecting the company and the industry.
• Collaborate on various legal, business, and administrative functions.
• Assist with the managing of outside legal counsels and projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Position Requirements
  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree is required.
  • 5 years previous work experience with contracts in a law firm or corporate legal department.
  • Experience working within a top tier private law firm is strongly desired.
  • Experience with the agriculture or food industry is preferred.
  • Must be fully licensed and in good standing to practice law in Illinois and/or California and/or capable of obtaining in-house certification to practice.
  • Keen attention to detail is a must.
  • Self-starter, highly organized, and able to deliver clear, business-oriented legal advice in a simple form in a fast-paced atmosphere is required.
  • Team player who can collaborate with an internal team, while delivering with minimal supervision and administrative support is required.
  • Proven track record of excellent judgment, analytical ability, critical thinking, and risk management skills are required
  • Must be eager to learn new areas of the law and also be strongly committed to learning the company's businesses.
  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are required. Will be required to work with all levels within the organization, including those in domestic and foreign teams.
  • High degree of professional ethics, morals and integrity are required. Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us for support at: US-Talent.Acquisition@ofi.com At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. Olam Americas Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
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Keywords: ofi, Chicago , In House-Counsel, Legal , Chicago, Illinois