Portfolio Specialist

Regional Legal Counsel (France & BENELUX) | 8-10 yrs. French Qualified | English and French | Consumer Goods Sector

REFERENCE: HH / 022 / 24

LOCATION: Madrid, Spain or Lyon, France

TYPE OF POSITION: Full time. Hybrid: 3 days presential / 2 days remote.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Client: Our client is an international group operating in the consumer goods sector, a leader in food products manufacturing and distribution with brands such as Campofrío, Aoste, Navidul, and Oscar Mayer. It is part of a dynamic, creative, and sophisticated corporate group driven by professional and business ethics and values.

The group is seeking to recruit a Regional Legal Counsel responsible for the business in France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg, based either in Madrid or Lyon.

Position: The candidate will act as corporate counsel, providing legal advice at an international level in various legal areas (excluding labor). The counsel will be part of the global legal department based in Madrid, responsible for the assigned region and collaborating with other corporate counsels on transnational projects. The candidate will report directly to the group’s global General Counsel in Madrid and may travel to relevant countries.

Responsibilities:

• Advise on legal aspects of manufacturing and supply contracts, managing legal risks related to sales and distribution agreements.
• Involve in publicity and marketing aspects, including campaigns, sponsorships, co-branding, labeling, and packaging.
• Draft and negotiate IT-related contracts and R&D agreements.
• Work on IP law applicable to the group, focusing on brand protection.
• Provide regulatory advice concerning the food industry and assess business activities under competition law.
• Participate in international legal projects.
• Advise on Real Estate and Environmental issues, supporting the implementation of EU environmental legislation.
• Manage litigation related to business units, coordinating with external counsels.
• Maintain contact with business managers, legal managers, and representatives of sector associations.
• Contribute to designing the strategy in the assigned countries, managing large projects, and minimizing risks.
• Coordinate local external counsels.

The counsel will be a business partner, regularly engaging with various business areas and staff members, including top and junior managers, to anticipate needs and contribute to achieving commercial goals.

Profile: The candidate must be a qualified lawyer in France with 8-10 years of experience, preferably from a top national or international law firm. Experience as in-house counsel at an international company and familiarity with Environmental law related to the EU ESG regulatory package is desirable. The candidate should possess strong legal advice skills, business acumen, and excellent communication skills, working autonomously while integrated into the corporate legal team.

The candidate must be native or bilingual in French, with an excellent command of English, as it will be used daily. An LLM or similar degree in business law will be highly valued.

Offer: Our client offers an excellent opportunity to join a leading Spanish multinational corporate group in the consumer sector, dealing with complex legal matters of key importance for the company. You will have regular contact with managers at both international and national levels, participating in projects from start to finish, and acquiring a comprehensive understanding of legal matters. You will help design legal strategies that align with business goals while working with the group’s global General Counsel and a highly qualified legal team. The work environment is driven by excellence and quality, respectful of people, and flexible in a dynamic international context. An attractive package, a wide training program, and a career development plan will be provided.