Senior Legal Counsel (4929)

Job Title:                     Senior Legal Counsel

Department:                Legal Function

Reports to:                            REPORTS TO:             Head of Legal, Group HQ (Dublin, Ireland)

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Company Overview

The most important element of our company background is our purpose.  We are a dairy cooperative of cooperatives.  That means that we exist to create value for our cooperatives and the 14,000 Irish family dairy farms they support.  This is central to how we operate, critically important for our employees and what fuels our ambition to win.

With that, Ornua is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy, exporting to over 110 countries with annualised sales of €3.4 billion.

We are multi-national, operating from 19 subsidiaries worldwide and employing over 2,300 staff. Ornua has teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe from Algiers to Beijing, to Lagos and LA.

The business is structured across two core divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients.

Ornua Foods owns the iconic Kerrygold brand, as well as the Pilgrims Choice, Dubliner, Forto and BEO Milk Powder brands.

Ornua Ingredients supplies superior quality dairy ingredients to leading global food manufacturers from some of the world’s most technically advanced manufacturing and prepacking facilities located in Africa, China, Ireland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK and the US.

Ornua Foods North America Inc, is headquartered in Evanston, IL with additional teams located throughout the US.  The consumer foods product portfolio is spread across butter, cheese and powders.

The North America division is a powerhouse within Ornua, with an iconic and beloved brand and a highly-engaged, highly inclusive, and high-performing team that, together, have delivered double-digit, profitable growth on the business for the last twenty years.

Ornua’s Values

At Ornua, our Values guide us as we work together and care for each other to achieve great things. Our five values, and their underlying behaviors, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together.  All of our people practices are underpinned by these values.

Job Summary:

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a purpose-led organization, collaborating in a high-performing team to drive an iconic brand, and make a difference. 

This newly formed stand-alone role offers an exciting opportunity to work closely with the senior leadership team on a great brand, in an ambitious and growing environment within a multi-national organization.  As the legal business partner for Ornua US you will lead on all legal matters that arise within OFNA Inc, including foreseeing and managing risk, getting involved in Innovation from inception, advising on marketing claims, implementing contracts and navigating legal challenges.  You will also provide ad hoc legal support to the Ingredients side of the business.

You will be required to provide both strategic and hands-on solution-focussed support for business partners. 

You will report to the Head of Legal for Ornua in Dublin, will be a member of the global Ornua legal team who are based in Dublin, and will be key support for the Ornua Foods North and Latin American Leadership team.

Dynamic Working

Ornua has a Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid working.   Our in-office policy is to be in office three days a weeks, with two anchor days where all individuals are in the office. This position will be based in our Evanston office. Occasional travel may be required.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• As Ornua’s first in-house US counsel, you will develop and implement ways of working with business partners in the US and internationally, to ensure legal oversight and effective compliance is embedded in US operations.

• Proactively identify legal risks and emerging legislation and help the business navigate them, providing effective, practical solutions and working across functions to implement the required practices, policies, and good governance.

• Advise (in collaboration with regulatory and IP colleagues) on promotional and marketing claims.

• Draft, review, and negotiate global and regional commercial agreements for distribution, sponsorship, sales and the purchasing of goods and services (major media/advertising agencies, professional services, logistics, digital).

• Partner with Ornua’s legal, regulatory, and international functions to develop and implement global compliance initiatives (e.g. sustainability, data privacy, anti-trust, anti-bribery, cyber) for the US.

• Manage dispute resolution, litigation and settlement negotiations in the US (with external support where required).

• Manage outside counsel as required, for example in connection with litigation or strategic projects.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.

• Must be licensed to practice in Illinois or able to obtain a license to practice law in Illinois.

• At least 7 years of relevant PQE with a strong emphasis on commercial and marketing, including at least 3 years in an in-house role.  Experience in the food fast-moving consumer goods industry is preferred.

• Great leadership and teamwork and communication skills.

• Proven business partnership approach in a matrixed environment.

• Developed business insight and judgement, with the ability to understand the company's business, anticipate the nature and magnitude of issues that could arise and identify practical risk-based solutions.

• Requires a motivated self-starter who can work autonomously in a dynamic environment.

• Must possess excellent analytical ability; be solution-oriented and have a commercial mindset.

• Working with outside counsel and fluency translating legal advice into actionable guidance for stakeholders.

• Experience across North and Latin America is a plus. 

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards.

The hiring range begins at $153,125 and the candidate will be offered a salary commensurate with their level of experience.

Ornua Foods North America Inc is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. 

Closing date for application is: 03/25/2025