Legal & Compliance Manager – Europe (M/F)

NOF METAL COATINGS GROUP; Nantes; Sur place; EUR 70 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A global leader in metal coatings is seeking a Legal & Compliance Manager for its European operations. The ideal candidate will manage contracts, ensure compliance, and support governance structures. Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Law or Political Sciences and experience in an international setting. Fluency in French and English is mandatory, with additional languages being a plus. This is a permanent contract role based in Nantes, with significant involvement in strategic legal matters.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with specialization in Business Law or Compliance.
• Confirmed experience in an international or regulated environment.
• Fluent in French and English; knowledge of German is a plus.

Responsabilités

• Draft and negotiate contracts in a European context.
• Structure and reinforce compliance frameworks.
• Prepare and support Board of Directors’ meetings.
• Manage external legal providers and budgets.

Connaissances

Contract management

Compliance frameworks

Legal business partnership

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Ethics and integrity standards

Formation

Master’s degree in Law or Political Sciences

Description du poste

Legal & Compliance Manager – Europe (M/F)

(According to seniority: Legal & Compliance Counsel – Europe)

Contract

Permanent contract (CDI)

Hierarchical reporting

General Management – NOF Metal Coatings Europe

Functional positioning

Transversal role with strong interfaces across all European functions (Operations, Sales, HR, Finance, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, IP)

This role is positioned as a true Legal & Compliance Business Partner, closely connected to markets and operations, with a strong hands-on and pragmatic approach.

About NOF Metal Coatings Europe

NOF Metal Coatings Europe is a global leader in metal coating and surface treatment technologies, specializing in high-performance anti-corrosion solutions for the automotive, fasteners, industrial, railway, renewable energy and construction sectors.

Headquartered in France, NOF Metal Coatings Europe operates several industrial and commercial entities across Europe and worldwide, in close coordination with NOF Corporation Group (Japan).

The Group is recognized for its strong technical expertise, high compliance standards, long-term partnerships with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, and robust governance practices.

Position Context

In a context of increasing regulatory, contractual and governance requirements at both European and Group levels, NOF Metal Coatings Europe is strengthening its legal and compliance framework.

The Legal & Compliance Manager – Europe plays a key role in structuring, securing and harmonizing legal and compliance practices across European entities, while acting as a business-oriented partner to operational and commercial teams and ensuring close coordination with NOF Group, particularly Japanese headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

1. Contract Law & Legal Business Partnering

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial, industrial and service contracts in an international European context.
• Act as a legal business partner to operational, commercial and functional teams.
• Secure contractual arrangements while supporting business development and operations.
• Identify legal risks and propose pragmatic, business-oriented solutions.
• Harmonize contractual standards and practices across European entities.
• Ensure a strong capacity to draft and manage contracts under different legal environments, including Germany.

2. Compliance & Ethics

• Structure, reinforce and animate European compliance frameworks, including:
• Compliance programs and internal policies
• Ethics and integrity standards
• Compliance training and awareness initiatives
• Compliance onboarding processes for new employees
• Act as a key European point of contact for compliance-related matters.
• Contribute to the dissemination of a strong compliance culture within European teams.
• Coordinate and monitor trademark and patent filings across Europe.
• Interface with external IP counsels and NOF Group.
• Ensure protection, monitoring and valorization of the Group’s intangible assets.
• Conduct IP monitoring and risk analysis in support of business and innovation.

4. Governance & Corporate Bodies

• Prepare, organize and support Board of Directors’ meetings and governance bodies.
• Draft, review and monitor governance documentation.
• Ensure proper application of Group governance rules and standards across Europe.
• Support General Management on governance-related topics and decision-making.

5. External Legal Providers Management

• Coordinate and manage external law firms and legal advisors at European level.
• Monitor legal budgets and service quality.
• Centralize, structure and prioritize external legal needs.
• Ensure consistency, efficiency and alignment with Group expectations.

Profile & Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree (Bac+5) in Law or Political Sciences, with specialization in:
• Business Law
• Contract Law
• Compliance / Corporate Governance
• or equivalent

Experience

• Confirmed experience in an international and multicultural environment, ideally within an industrial, technical or regulated sector.
• Strong exposure to contract management, compliance frameworks and governance.
• Proven ability to operate as a legal business partner close to operations and markets.
• Experience working with or within a Japanese Group is a strong asset.

Technical

• Strong expertise in contract law and European legal environments.
• Solid understanding of compliance and corporate governance frameworks.
• Ability to structure and formalize legal processes at European level.
• Experience managing external legal advisors.

Behavioral

• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Strong analytical and structuring capabilities.
• High level of autonomy, rigor and reliability.
• Ability to interact with senior management and international stakeholders.
• Pragmatic, business-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ethics.

Languages

• Fluent French and English (written and spoken) – mandatory
• German (operational level) – is a plus.
• Japanese or any other European language is a strong asset