Junior Legal Counsel

About the role

• The Junior Legal Counsel will act as a trusted internal advisor to the company as well as the manufacturing operations, ensuring that all commercial, regulatory, and governance matters are managed effectively. Junior Legal Counsel will support cross functions such as procurement, supply chain, marketing, and corporate functions, balancing legal risk with business objectives and will work closely with internal stakeholders to identify legal risk and ensure business activities comply with applicable laws and regulations. 

Your responsibilities
Legal Advisory: 

• Provide timely, pragmatic legal advice in areas including but not limited to contract law, corporate governance, facilities management, and manufacturing regulations in relation to the business sector. 
• Conduct research on relevant laws and stay updated on regulatory changes in South Africa’s manufacturing sector. 

Contract Management: 

• Draft, review and negotiate various agreements cross functionally and externally, under the supervision of Head of Legal.  
• Assist senior team members with complex contract negotiations and maintain contract templates and trackers. 
• Conduct legal due diligence on new suppliers and strategic procurement initiatives. 

Regulatory Compliance and Corporate Governance: 

• Monitor compliance with statutory and industry-specific legal obligations. Maintain statutory compliance registers and advise on corporate entity changes. 
• Review advertising content, product claims, packaging labels, and marketing communications.  

Corporate Governance: 

• Maintain statutory compliance registers and implement monitoring procedures. Manage corporate entity changes and ensure adherence to governance standards. 

Training and Awareness: 

• Design and deliver legal training programs to the business. 

Litigation Management: 

• Co-ordinate dispute resolution and oversee litigation portfolio with external counsels. 

Projects and Cross Functional Support: 

• Manage multiple workstreams and cross-functional projects simultaneously in a highly fast paced environment. 
• Support projects involving facilities, manufacturing expansions, technology implementation, and regulatory audits. 

The experience we're looking for

• LLB Degree and admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa. 
• 2-4 years post-admission experience; in-house familiarity with Manufacturing and FMCG industry experience preferred. 
• Strong knowledge of commercial and corporate law, compliance, and governance. 
• In depth experience in contract management, drafting, advertising law and regulatory matters. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite. 

The skills for success

• Results-orientated, entrepreneurial mindset, strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication, stakeholder management, commercial acumen, innovation, project management, legal expertise