Legal Counsel

• Permanent full-time position in a Global FMCG business
• Hybrid working model 60% in office, 40% WFH
• Dynamic work scope that allows room to grow and apply improvements

Our Story

At Lactalis, we are true to our purpose: we are a family business offering healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together. And, we just happen to be the worldwide leader in what we do.  We are passionate, ambitious with a desire to learn and grow.

Our Purpose

At the heart of our Australian business we have over 2,500 passionate employees, working closely with our farmers, customers and consumers to produce the finest dairy products in the country. Pillar brands such as Paul’s, OAK, Ice Break, Vaalia, Tamar Valley Dairy, Jalna, and President provide Lactalis Australia with a deep national footprint for growth and prosperity.  Our brands bring pride to our employees, and we continue to innovate with new products.

Our opportunity

Join our Scoresby or Richmond office as Legal Counsel, reporting to the General Counsel. In this role, you will provide strategic and operational legal support to our Procurement and Supply Chain functions. You will draft and negotiate commercial agreements, advise on legal and regulatory risks, and support procurement governance and compliance initiatives. Working closely with stakeholders across the business, you will provide practical legal advice that supports business objectives while protecting Lactalis’ interests.

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, review and negotiate procurement, supplier and other commercial agreements, ensuring risks are appropriately managed and arrangements align with Lactalis’ policies and commercial objectives.
• Partner with Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations and Finance teams throughout the sourcing and contracting lifecycle.
• Provide practical legal advice on tenders, requests for proposal, supplier selection, contract management and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal, commercial and operational risks associated with supplier and commercial arrangements.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, playbooks and guidance materials to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Advise on regulatory and compliance requirements affecting procurement activities, including competition and consumer law, modern slavery, privacy and data protection, anti-bribery and corruption, trade practices, sanctions, and environmental and sustainability obligations.
• Support the implementation of compliance programs, procurement policies and governance frameworks.
• Advise on supplier disputes, contract interpretation, performance concerns, claims, breaches, variations and termination matters.
• Support litigation and the engagement of external legal counsel where required.
• Build trusted relationships with procurement leaders and key stakeholders, providing commercially focused legal advice that supports informed business decisions.
• Deliver training and guidance to procurement teams and contract owners.
• Contribute to procurement approval processes, contract management and supplier governance initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to streamline contracting processes and improve legal service delivery.
• Proactively support continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
• Complete all tasks and duties as reasonably requested by the General Counsel.

ABOUT YOU:

• A Bachelor of Laws and admission as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of an Australian state or territory.
• A current practising certificate.
• At least 4 years’ post-admission experience in a relevant field within a top-tier or recognised mid-tier Australian law firm, or an in-house legal position.
• Experience in commercial and corporate law, ideally within the FMCG sector.
• Strong experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial contracts.
• Sound knowledge of corporate law, contract management, dispute resolution, intellectual property, marketing, risk and compliance.
• The ability to analyse complex legal matters and explain the implications clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• A practical and commercially focused approach to balancing legal risk with business objectives.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to work effectively across legal and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong judgement, problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex matters with an appropriate level of autonomy.

WHAT WE OFFER:

As a global company, we provide an exciting career opportunity where you can make an immediate impact. We offer pathways for career advancement, a competitive salary package, and a team-oriented, fast-paced work environment dedicated to achieving success.

If you possess the ambition, determination, and skills to excel in this role, submit your application by selecting 'Apply' and following the designated prompts.