Corporate Counsel

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Oversee comprehensive contract management for primarily sales and customer-oriented commercial agreements, including intake, prioritization, drafting, negotiation, and execution.

• Act as the main legal contact for the Water and Beverage Sales teams.

• Offer strategic advice regarding customer transactions and relationships.

• Counsel internal stakeholders across various business units and simplify complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.

• Create and enhance contract templates, playbooks, and processes.

• Develop and sustain cross-functional relationships with Sales, Operations, Finance, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Product Development, Product Engineering, Compliance, and external partners.

• Engage in pipeline meetings, deal assessments, and strategic planning discussions.

• Identify, evaluate, and alleviate commercial and contractual risks.

• Raise significant issues and suggest strategies for risk mitigation.

• Manage and assist in resolving pre-litigation disputes, customer claims, and commercial conflicts.

• Provide support for special projects, M&A/joint venture due diligence, and strategic initiatives.

• Design and conduct training for business partners and plant personnel regarding contract processes, legal risk awareness, and compliance.

• Remain updated on legal developments, industry trends, and emerging issues that impact the food, beverage, and CPG sectors.

⛳️ Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a law school accredited by the ABA.

• Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state; California bar is preferred.

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant legal experience, including extensive exposure to commercial contracts, transactions, and/or sales-related legal issues.

• Significant experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating intricate commercial agreements, encompassing MSAs, supply agreements, distribution agreements, and license agreements.

• Proven history of being a trusted legal advisor to business stakeholders in a dynamic, high-volume environment.

• Experience may consist of a blend of law firm and in-house practice.

• Preferred 10+ years of relevant legal experience with increasing responsibility.

• Strongly preferred prior in-house experience within a CPG, food and beverage, or manufacturing organization.

• Knowledge of intellectual property law in commercial agreements is preferred.

• Experience in supporting national retail accounts or large-scale complex commercial relationships is preferred.

• Familiarity with food and beverage regulatory frameworks, product labeling, and supply chain compliance is preferred.

• Exceptional legal expertise, issue-spotting abilities, analytical skills, drafting proficiency, and negotiation capabilities.

• Strong executive presence and the ability to communicate complex legal concepts effectively to non-legal audiences.

• Expert understanding of contract law, commercial transactions, and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) as it applies to sales and purchasing.

• Interest or familiarity with data privacy, sustainability/ESG, AI governance, compliance, and regulatory topics.

• Experience in CPG, food and beverage, or manufacturing industries is highly valued.

• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, high-volume setting while maintaining attention to detail and meeting tight deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Copilot.

• Proficient with contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems.

• Uphold the highest ethical standards with a positive, collaborative approach.

🏝️ Benefits

• Paid time off for holidays, sick leave, and vacation.

• Paid parental and caregiver leave.

• Medical insurance, including virtual care options.

• Dental insurance.

• Vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan with company matching.

• Health Savings Account with company matching.

• Flexible Spending Accounts.

• Enhanced mental wellbeing benefits, including complimentary counseling sessions for team members and their families.

• Family Building Benefits, offering expanded fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation, adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements.

• Income protection plans including Life and AD&D, short- and long-term disability, critical illness, and accident coverage.

• Exclusive discount programs for pet insurance, pre-paid legal services, identity theft protection, car rentals, and airport parking.

• Tuition reimbursement.

• College savings plan.

• Scholarship opportunities.

• Collaborative and business-oriented legal team.

• Opportunities for professional development.

• Direct interaction with senior leadership and a significant impact on company strategy and growth.

• Career advancement opportunities within a rapidly growing organization.

• Supportive work environment.