Description:

Job Summary:
Reporting directly to the General Counsel of Midea North America, this senior role leverages 10+ years of broad-based legal experience to manage significant risks, drive key initiatives, mentor junior legal staff, and support business objectives within the consumer goods and manufacturing sectors. Requires deep expertise in CPSC regulations, commercial transactions, manufacturing law, and contract management.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Safety (CPSC): Advise on compliance with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations, including safety standards (e.g., CPSIA, FHSA), recall protocols, incident reporting (Sec. 15(b)), and product labeling requirements. Collaborate with product/QA teams on risk assessments.
Dispute Resolution: Manage pre-litigation disputes and outside counsel, including settlement negotiations, participation in mediations, and drafting or reviewing settlement and release agreements.
Employment Law: Provide legal guidance to Human Resources on matters such as employee relations, performance management, investigations, and employment disputes.
Risk Management: Advise on legal aspects of manufacturing operations, product development, intellectual property protection, and regulatory affairs.
Stakeholder Support: Advise cross-functional teams (Product, Marketing, Supply Chain) on legal risks in business initiatives.
Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Active member, in good standing, of the New Jersey Bar or be able to obtain an in-house license in 6 months.
Experience: 10+ years of progressive, relevant legal experience, preferably with significant in-house counsel experience at a multinational manufacturing or consumer goods company.
Proven expertise in CPSC regulations and general consumer product safety compliance.
Strong understanding of commercial law and legal issues pertinent to manufacturing, supply chain, and product lifecycle.
Experience in analyzing legal risks and performance using global metrics.
High degree of business acumen and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, global environment.