Job Description:

The Senior Counsel will report to the Associate General Counsel of PNE and will support the relevant segment-level Commercial functions on all aspects of direct-procurement transactions, from drafting, negotiating and dispute resolution/litigation. The Senior Counsel will interact with senior stakeholders within the various segment-level Commercial Leadership and category-level teams as well as Legal function. The Senior Counsel will act as engaged and high performing member of the PNE Legal Team and PNE Sourcing Leadership Teams.

What are we looking for?

Fully qualified lawyer in Europe (including UK) with at least 8-10 years of experience or suitable experience practicing law in the UK and EU (particularly, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany and France)

8-10 years advising on commercial agreements, with a significant portion of that time working in-house.

Experience providing counsel to senior business leaders

Must be a self-starter, highly motivated with a bias for results (strong work ethic) and able to function independently in a “hands-on” environment

Agile and pragmatic, whilst willing to draw “a line in the sand” when required for compliance

Very good interpersonal skills and influencing skills; strong, flexible team player and collaborator that works to meet both personal and organization goals 

Can work with sense of urgency and acting decisively

Excellent analytical and negotiation skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Strong organization, execution and project management skills

Fluency/native in English

What will be your key responsibilities?

Be an engaged and high performing member of the PNE Legal Team and PNE Sourcing Leadership Team, providing proactive counsel to support the business’ growth agenda not only from a legal perspective but also as a key partner of the business. 

Responsible for adapting and rolling out the legal strategy for direct procurement across the segments in the European region, anticipating legal issues and providing proactive business friendly, efficient and effective legal solutions.

Provide legal support for direct-procurement transactions for Commercial in Europe from vendor selection to tender, contract formation, contract dispute/litigation, and termination either directly or through outside counsel.

Structure, draft, review, and support the negotiation of agreements for direct procurement, including multi-segment raw-materials purchasing, segment-level and cross-segment tenders, and procurement of services, mainly co-manufacturing, co-packing, co-blending and regenerative agriculture cooperation.

Draft, revise and update contract templates for procurement related transactions.

Train Commercial buyers on various aspects of the law relating to their category of spend.

Have a strong understanding and working knowledge of intellectual property rights and help to protect Mars IP assets by collaborating with Mars segment IP attorneys.

Provide advice on Sustainability-related matters, both regulatory and corporate initiatives, involving Mars’ suppliers.

Provide advice on Privacy-related matters affecting the Commercial function.

Assist Commercial in filing or responding to any claims or disputes with suppliers, including assessment of success, procedural issues, or dispute-related negotiations with such suppliers; act as coordinator with external legal support for any related litigation or correspondence requiring country-level expertise.

Review and assess relevant new legislation/regulation affecting procurement of raw materials or related services and provide clear, business-focused advice to the segment-level Commercial teams on transition and implementation.

Collaborate with legal and non-legal Associates on process improvement (end to end) initiatives.

Where relevant, supervise the work of external legal counsel to ensure that matters are supported with quality and efficiency in a cost-effective manner.

Assist in management of relevant legal budgets in consultation with the segment-level Associate General Counsels

What can you expect from Mars?

Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.