What are the responsibilities and job description for the Corporate Counsel position at Simmons Prepared Foods?
Reporting directly to the Senior Associate General Counsel (“SAGC”), the Corporate Counsel will assist the department in addressing a variety of legal, regulatory, and business matters. Perform legal research, review, and prepare contracts. Support and work closely with management, especially in the areas of procurement partnering with organizations in the negotiation and management of supplier contracts. This position will also work closely with the Corporate Contracts Administrator & Paralegal supporting the use of the company’s contract lifecycle management (CLM) system as well as the Risk Department supporting the use of the interactive Supplier Agreements in the online Supplier Portal. The Corporate Counsel serves in this position consistent with the attorney-client relationship and with Rule 1.13 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct governing lawyers.
ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES- This is a salary exempt position
Drafts, edits, and reviews contracts. Advises business units of legal risks identified in contracts and other legal instruments (e.g. supply agreements, nondisclosure agreements, employment agreements, indemnification agreements, real estate agreements, easements, letters of guarantee, etc.) as directed by the Chief Legal Officer (“CLO”) and the SAGC. Ensures contract terms align with the legal and business goals and standards of the company.
Provides legal analysis and opinions. Provides legal analysis and opinions on laws, issues and proposed legislation relevant to the company and its operations and activities. Advises employees of the company (including its affiliates, subsidiaries and each of their divisions). Assists the CLO and the SAGC in identifying and achieving the company’s legal objectives. Provides assistances with global joint ventures, strategic partnership deals and M&A activities.
Supports compliance and conducts legal research. Reviews legislative changes that may affect the company, its operations, activities and overall compliance with the law. Conducts targeted legal research and drafts internal memorandums as requested by the CLO and SAGC. Aids in the response to regulatory agency actions and complaints.
Supports the legal education of employees. Provides support to the development of training to company and its employees on substantive legal matters (e.g. contract negotiation, terms and conditions, etc.).
Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization. Will attend continuing education and development training from time to time as needed and approved by the CLO.
Simmons operating systems principles and objectives: Gains familiarity with established operating systems (e.g. Legal Tracker, Westlaw, and the Supplier Portal as well as general quality, security, office environment, company policies, and Continuous Improvement); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems—including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.
Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.
Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. May present information to small or large groups. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via video conference, telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. Move about in an office environment and surrounding property daily.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Face mask/shields may be required in office settings. Additional PPE as required by production facilities.
Travel: Occasional travel (domestic and international) to and from multiple facilities or work-sites, possibly requiring overnight stays.
Technical Experience: 1-4 years’ experience practicing full-time as an attorney. The most successful candidate will be an attorney with strong academic achievement and excellent communication skills. Must have verifiable reputation for integrity and no history of disciplinary offenses as an attorney. Experience reviewing, drafting contracts and commercial transactions or similar academic/clinical experience. Experience with Lexis-Nexis and/or Westlaw web applications and Microsoft Word with a heavy emphasis on tracked changes functionality for redline/strikeout files required. Experience with PACER a plus.
Preferred Experience: Experience with contract lifecycle management systems. Experience working in a corporate legal environment/department or law firm. High degree of professional judgment; ability to generate trust and retain confidentiality. Must have strong organizational skills. Knowledge and working familiarity with the following computer applications: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft applications. Industry Experience: Preference for manufacturing or food processing organization. Law firm experience also acceptable.
Minimum Education: Active member in good standing of the bar of any one or more of the fifty United States (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri or Kansas preferred but not required); J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school; undergraduate degree from a regionally-accredited four year college or university of higher education.
Preferred Qualifications: N/A
We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.
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