Description:

Position Summary:
As Senior Legal Counsel, Contracts & Transactions, you will be a key strategic partner and a vital member of the Legal Department. You'll do more than just manage risk; you will drive the successful execution of critical business initiatives for critical aspects of our global operations. This role is perfect for an experienced legal professional who excels at navigating complex negotiations and providing pragmatic, business-oriented advice on a wide range of contractual and transactional matters. You will be instrumental in ensuring legal compliance while directly enabling the achievement of our strategic objectives.

What You'll Do:

As a key member of the Legal Department, you will support a broad range of business units and functions across the U.S. and Canada.
Lead and Drive Key Transactions:

Structure, draft, and negotiate a high volume of complex commercial agreements, providing practical solutions to mitigate risk.
Act as a strategic partner to the business, structuring commercial transactions and agreements in a way that facilitates their strategies while mitigating risk.
Provide key legal support on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, by assisting with due diligence, document drafting, and closing activities as needed.
Advance strategic projects, including the implementation and optimization of contract lifecycle management technology.

Serve as a Strategic Business Partner:

Provide primary legal support for certain affiliated businesses, including those focused on import / export, transportation and freight management, and chemical and beverage equipment servicing.
Act as the primary legal partner to certain shared service functions, including direct and indirect procurement and supply chain, offering pragmatic advice to support their objectives.
Collaborate with other members of the Legal Team to support the broader organization where appropriate.
Support the Vice President, General Counsel in sophisticated matters related to tax, treasury, and/or corporate finance.

Enhance Legal Operations and Compliance:

Champion process improvements by helping to develop and implement scalable contracting policies, templates, and playbooks.
Research and analyze new regulations affecting the business and collaborate with stakeholders to develop effective and practical compliance programs.
Develop and deliver engaging training materials for business teams on legal tops and risk mitigation strategies.

Performs other duties as assigned.

When you will work:

Monday to Friday
Hybrid schedule, 4 days in office in Wyoming, MI, with 1 day remote

What you'll bring to the table:

Law Degree (Juris Doctorate - JD) required.
Bachelor's Degree required (undergraduate in Finance or Business preferred). Master Degree preferred.
A minimum of 8-10 years of post-licensure legal experience required with a demonstrated track record of excellence across several of the substantive areas listed.
Experience with a significant focus on contracts and transactional matters, preferably in an in-house corporate legal department or a reputable law firm. (Fortune 500 or comparably sized food industry company with a small legal department is a plus).
Admitted to State Bar of Michigan / License to Practice Law required.
Legal and Business Acumen:

A pragmatic, business-oriented approach to problem-solving with a demonstrated ability to balance legal risks with business objectives.
Proven ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical, actionable advice for a non-legal audience.
Excellent judgment with the ability to spot issues, assess risk, and escalate matters when appropriate.
Preferred: Experience in niche areas such as tax, trade compliance, import/export, transportation, warehousing, or commercial finance.

Execution and Project Management:

Proven track record of independently managing and closing complex commercial transactions in a fast-paced environment.
Sophisticated project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives from conception to completion and meet aggressive deadlines.
A self-starting and independent work style, with the ability to work without frequent supervision.

Interpersonal and Collaboration Skills

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence outcomes and build consensus with stakeholders.
A "can-do," service-oriented approach toward internal clients and a collaborative mindset with both business and legal colleagues.
Emotionally intelligent and self-aware, with a high level of integrity and a commitment to professionalism at all times.

“Digital first mindset” and ability to create, leverage, and use legal technology.
Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, strategies, or when defending/conveying a point.
High level of integrity exercised internally and in representing GFS to outside parties.
Sense of humor and approachability.
English fluency required, additional French fluency preferred.