In-House Legal Counsel

SUMMARY:

An established international chemical distributor is actively seeking an experienced In-House Legal Counsel to be responsible for ensuring that the organization operates within legal frameworks while minimizing risks and protecting its interests. The successful candidate will be part of a dedicated legal department operating across various countries and regions.

POSITION INFO:

Minimum requirements for the role:

• Must have an LLM (Master of Laws)
• Minimum 7+ years relevant experience with good standing with relevant legal licensing authority
• Strong legal knowledge in the field of commercial, distribution and agency law is essential
• Proven experience in drafting and negotiating contracts in a commercial setting
• Knowledge or experience in working in a chemical manufacturing or distribution environment is an asset
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, compliance, regulatory matters and BEE legislation
• Must be capable of operating autonomously with the highest level of integrity and ability to spot compliance challenges
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner
• Familiarity with international legal issues and regulations is advantageous
• Must have legal experience with mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex legal issues
• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across various departments and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work effectively under time constraints and meeting tight deadlines
• Experience in a fast-paced, in-house legal department environment
• Computer literate with experience using contract management software (such as OnBase by Hyland) and training systems (such as Cornerstone)

• Providing day-to-day legal advice and support to the company in South Africa and Kenya.
• Providing legal counsel to management and other departments on a wide range of issues, including antitrust, export laws, sales, purchasing, distribution, supply chain, HR & labour law, debt collection, and other legal matters in relation to the business.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and agreements in alignment with commercial teams to protect the company’s interests and ensure compliance with applicable laws.
• Closing the loop by ensuring all contracts are duly signed and loaded on OnBase.
• Managing contracts in OnBase.
• Managing company standard agreements, including terms and conditions.
• Acting as the African Compliance Officer in leading company compliance programs in the region.
• Ensuring the organization adheres to all relevant laws and regulations, including industry-specific compliance requirements.
• Developing and implementing compliance programs and policies.
• Creating and implementing policies and best practice to enforce legal compliance.
• Keeping Group and local contract policies and contract management processes up to date and supervising the effective use of these policies and processes in the organizations.
• Overseeing the dissemination and communication of the company's Code of Conduct and Business Principles, assisting with training on the code and investigating ethics-related issues.
• Providing regulatory and government compliance guidance.
• Overseeing and managing any litigation involving the company.
• Conducting discovery and supporting outside counsel in complex litigation matters.
• Advising on the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, and patents.
• Advising on IP strategy and enforcement.
• Overseeing employment-related legal issues, including contracts, employee relations, and compliance with labour laws.
• Providing advice on labour and employment matters.
• Identifying and assessing legal risks associated with business operations and developing strategies to mitigate those risks.
• Advising management on contract status, legal risks, and legal liabilities associated with different deals.
• Conducting training sessions for employees on legal compliance and ethical practices to foster a culture of legal awareness within the organization.
• Monitoring governance of companies in South Africa and Kenya.
• Drafting and implementing internal policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and promote best practices.
• Working closely with other departments (e.g., finance, HR, marketing) to provide legal input on various projects and initiatives.
• Staying updated on relevant laws and legal developments that may impact the organization and its operations.
• Researching and anticipating unique legal issues that could impact any of the African entities.
• Providing legal support services in connection with entity formation and management, mergers, acquisitions, and joint venture arrangements or other strategic partnerships.
• Assisting with coordination of integration projects concerning acquired companies.
• Supporting the company’s strategic initiatives by providing timely legal analysis and guidance.
• Heading the Social & Ethics Committee and directing its activities.
• Overseeing debt collection relating to delinquent debtors (currently using third-party service provider).
• Managing the company secretarial function, including the preparation of board meeting materials and minutes.
• Ensuring BBBEE compliance and monitoring.
• Managing the effective retention, management, and efficient use of outside counsel.