Commercial Lawyer

Sofina Foods Europe; Leeds; Sur place; GBP 65 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Sofina Foods Europe is seeking a qualified solicitor to join its UK and European legal team. You will draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements, provide practical advice to procurement, operations and commercial teams, and help manage risk across cross-border contracts.

Based at our Leeds HQ or Malton, you will collaborate with senior lawyers and external advisers to support governance, compliance and strategic initiatives, contributing to a fast-paced, international food business.

Qualifications

• Qualified as solicitor in England & Wales or equivalent qualifications.
• Experience in commercial contract law, in-house or private practice.
• Ability to provide practical, commercial legal advice balancing risk and objectives.
• Experience coordinating cross-border legal support.

Responsabilités

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements (customer, supplier, engineering, logistics, technology, confidentiality).
• Providing clear, practical legal advice to stakeholders across Procurement, Commercial, Operations, Engineering, HR and other business functions.
• Supporting key business projects and strategic initiatives by identifying risks early and helping stakeholders find workable solutions.
• Building strong relationships across the organisation and developing a deep understanding of how the business operates.
• Supporting governance, compliance and risk management activities across the UK and Europe.
• Assisting with the prevention and resolution of commercial disputes and claims when they arise.
• Developing and maintaining contract templates, playbooks and self-service guidance materials.
• Supporting contract governance processes and helping ensure visibility of key obligations, risks and renewal dates.
• Managing external legal advisers across multiple European jurisdictions where specialist advice is required.
• Delivering practical training and guidance to stakeholders on contracting, risk management and legal best practice.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives within both the Legal Team and the wider business.
• Supporting senior legal colleagues on complex commercial, operational and strategic matters.

Connaissances

Commercial contract law

Stakeholder management

Cross-border contracts

Negotiation

Formation

Solicitor qualification (England & Wales)

Description du poste

Embedded in the Business. Trusted by Stakeholders. Focused on Solutions.

Role Overview

Join a legal team that believes great lawyers don't just manage risk, they help the business succeed. At Sofina Foods, you'll work alongside colleagues across procurement, operations, engineering, manufacturing and commercial teams, helping solve problems, deliver projects and support growth across an international food business.

You'll play a key role in supporting a wide range of commercial activities, from contract negotiation and governance to process improvement and cross-border legal support. Working alongside senior legal colleagues, you'll help deliver a responsive, efficient and business-focused legal service across the UK and Europe.

This role can be based at our new HQ in Leeds or in Malton, N Yorks

Key Duties

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of agreements, including customer, supplier, engineering, logistics, technology, confidentiality and professional services contracts.
• Providing practical, commercially focused legal advice to stakeholders across Procurement, Commercial, Operations, Engineering, HR and other business functions.
• Supporting key business projects and strategic initiatives by identifying risks early and helping stakeholders find workable solutions.
• Building strong relationships across the organisation and developing a deep understanding of how the business operates.
• Supporting governance, compliance and risk management activities across the UK and Europe.
• Assisting with the prevention and resolution of commercial disputes and claims when they arise.
• Developing and maintaining contract templates, playbooks and self-service guidance materials.
• Supporting contract governance processes and helping ensure visibility of key obligations, risks and renewal dates.
• Managing external legal advisers across multiple European jurisdictions where specialist advice is required.
• Delivering practical training and guidance to stakeholders on contracting, risk management and legal best practice.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives within both the Legal Team and the wider business.
• Supporting senior legal colleagues on complex commercial, operational and strategic matters.

Ideal Candidate

• A qualified solicitor in England & Wales, or possess equivalent relevant legal qualifications and experience.
• Experienced in commercial contract law, gained either in-house or within private practice.
• Comfortable providing clear, practical advice that balances legal risk with commercial objectives.
• Confident building relationships with stakeholders across all levels of the business.
• Able to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced environment.
• Organised, proactive and solutions-focused, with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working with external legal advisers and coordinating cross-border legal support.

Desirable experience:

• Previous in-house legal experience.
• Manufacturing, FMCG, food or consumer product sector experience.
• Exposure to international or multi-jurisdictional legal matters.
• Approximately 2-5 years' PQE, although applications from candidates with broader relevant experience are welcomed.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to join a lean, highly engaged legal team within one of Europe's leading food businesses. At Sofina Foods, lawyers are encouraged to be visible, commercial and closely connected to the business. You will work directly with senior leaders, operational teams and key stakeholders across Europe, gaining exposure to a breadth of work that few in-house legal roles can offer. You will help support everything from major commercial negotiations and procurement initiatives to manufacturing projects, operational matters, governance programmes and strategic business decisions. No two days are the same.

We believe the best legal advice comes from understanding the business, building trusted relationships and focusing on solutions rather than obstacles. Our team values collaboration, ownership, integrity, continuous improvement and a willingness to roll up our sleeves and help wherever we can. Whilst commercial contracting forms an important part of the role, success in this position depends on developing a broad understanding of the business and being willing to contribute to a wide range of legal, operational and strategic matters. In return, you will have the opportunity to develop as both a lawyer and a business leader, helping shape the future of a growing international organisation while making a genuine impact on the success of the business.

About Sofina

Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It is a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact.

With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe.

At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents.

Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world. If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation