General Commercial Solicitor

Screwfix Direct Ltd.; Yeovil; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 20%

Hybrid working

33 days holiday

Flexible start/end times

Buy More Holiday

EV Car Scheme

Pension up to 14%

Life cover

Health cash plan

Discount at Screwfix and B&Q

Job summary

Screwfix Direct Ltd. in Yeovil, England, seeks a General Commercial Solicitor to join our high‑performing Commercial Legal Team. You will advise on major commercial contracts, manage legal risk, and partner with senior leaders to drive fast but responsible decisions.

UK qualified solicitor with 2+ PQE and a proven track record in contract law and commercial negotiations is required. The role offers hybrid working, a discretionary bonus up to 20%, generous holiday and pension benefits.

Qualifications

• UK qualified solicitor with 2+ PQE in commercial law matters.
• Experience in private practice and/or in-house on FMCG/commercial contracts.

Responsibilities

• Manage commercial contracts, including significant tenders and disputes with suppliers.
• Draft and negotiate complex contracts (goods/services, logistics, tech, NDAs).
• Advise on contract structure and risks to support business teams.
• Develop and maintain templates, standard terms and playbooks.

Skills

Contract drafting

Commercial negotiation

Regulatory/compliance awareness

Communication skills

Influencing skills

Education

UK Qualified Solicitor (2+ PQE)

Job description

Overview

Join Screwfix as a General Commercial Solicitor and play an integral role within our high‑performing Commercial Legal Team. You’ll deliver sharp, commercially focused legal advice that keeps the business moving fast but responsible.

You’ll be a key partner to the business, leading on major commercial contracts, managing legal and regulatory risk, and working closely with senior leaders, procurement, operations and cross‑functional teams to drive confident, commercially smart decisions.

Your expertise will protect the brand, unlock new opportunities and power the growth of a business built on trust, simplicity and exceptional customer focus.

This role is for a solicitor who thrives on pace and impact - someone who brings legal excellence while balancing risk and reward to enable optimal commercial decision‑making across the organisation.

What's in it for you?

• Discretionary annual bonus up to 20%
• 33 days' holiday (including bank holidays, 5 of which can be taken flexibly)
• Hybrid working in line with policy
• Flexible start and end times around core working hours
• Buy More Holiday - eligible colleagues can boost their holiday allowance by up to one extra week
• EV Car Scheme in Partnership with Tusker - eligible colleagues can lease a brand-new or pre-loved electric vehicle
• Up to 14% employer pension contributions
• Life cover up to 4x your salary
• Health cash plan and discounted gym memberships (up to 25% savings)
• 20% discount at Screwfix and B&Q

Responsibilities

Commercial contracts

• Manage legal risk in commercial relationships with suppliers for goods and services not for resale (non-stock suppliers) and goods for resale (stock suppliers) including significant tenders, contracts, and related disputes.
• Draft and negotiate a wide range of complex commercial contracts (incl. intragroup, logistics warehousing and fulfilment, supply of goods and services, technology and software and non-disclosure agreements). Support contract lifecycle management with renewals, updates and dispute avoidance.
• Advise on contract structure and risks re commercial strategy to support business teams
• Develop and ensure compliance with templates, standard terms, and playbooks.

Legal advisory and risk management

• Provide expert legal support and guidance for strategic business critical projects and on a broad range of ad hoc legal queries across the spectrum of commercial law issues.
• Work closely with colleagues across the Kingfisher Group and with external counsel on a cost efficient and targeted basis.
• Ensure risks are escalated and managed to ensure optimal commercial decision-making.

Governance, compliance and regulatory support

• Ensure data protection compliance in contractual relationships and providing legal support and advice on a broad range of data protection issues.
• Where appropriate, advising on regulatory law issues (including competition and consumer) and brand protection (intellectual property).

Other

• Identify innovative methods to achieve efficiencies and seek continued process improvement.
• Support dispute management where appropriate (pre litigation) and to the wider Legal team (as necessary).
• Provide training to Screwfix teams on contract risk, legal compliance and processes to ensure optimal understanding and visibility of critical legal issues.

Qualifications

• UK qualified solicitor with 2+ PQE with proven track record working in private practice and/or in house on commercial law matters impacting a FMCG business.
• Expert in contract law and with superlative drafting and negotiation skills across a broad range of complex commercial contracts.
• Strong knowledge of data protection law and an understanding of information governance. In depth experience of competition and regulatory law is desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to adapt style as required.
• Adept at achieving the optimal balance between legal risk and business priorities.
• Strong influencing skills, including the ability to present complex concepts clearly in plain English and to business stakeholders at all levels.
• Results driven experience in negotiating with counterparties on contentious (pre litigation) and non-contentious matters.
• Ability to complete tasks accurately, on time and to a high standard.

At Screwfix, Your Wellbeing Comes First:

Financial wellbeing

• Wagestream access to track earnings and save
• Access to the Kingfisher Share Scheme
• Colleague support fund
• Exclusive offers and discounts via our Hapi app
• Cycle-to-work scheme and savings on bikes

Every day benefits

• Career progression and development programmes
• Coaching and mentoring to help you thrive
• Access to wellbeing resourcing including PepTalk
• Support networks available

Recruitment Process

We review applications on an individual basis, and if we feel you would be a good fit we’ll invite you for a call or Teams video for an informal chat about the role, and to see if we’re a good fit for you. From there you can expect a comprehensive process, with regular contact from the Talent Acquisition team who are always available, for any queries you may have.

We value open and honest conversations and collaboration, giving you a chance to learn about what we are doing in an informal and friendly environment. We want to know about you and why you feel that this is the opportunity that excites you.

Sustainability at Screwfix

We’re committed to building a better future for our community and our planet. That’s why we’re doing everything we can in six key areas: eliminating carbon emissions, reducing and recycling waste, sourcing responsibly, keeping products in use for longer, selling more sustainable products and providing sustainable packaging. We’re on a mission to put sustainability at the forefront of everything we do. Join us.

We’ve worked hard to create a culture of inclusivity and genuine community. We’re a company built on teamwork, and the best teams are ones in which everyone can share their view. Whatever your background, however you identify, you’ll be listened to, encouraged, and given the tools and training you need to get ahead. You’ll always know where you are with us. We’re open. We’re fair. And we believe in opportunities for everyone.

Please let us know at [e-mail] if you need any additional support or adjustments when it comes to your application.