Legal Counsel

Premier Foods; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A major UK food company is seeking a solicitor with 0-4 years of post-qualification experience to support legal activities, including drafting and negotiating contracts. Responsibilities include providing advice on contract interpretation and monitoring compliance with laws. Ideal candidates are proactive, detail-oriented, and have strong communication skills. This role offers benefits like competitive salary, car allowance, and an employee discount scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Car allowance

Bonus up to 7.5%

Life assurance

Wide range of online and in‑house training

Employee discount scheme

Qualifications

• Admitted as a solicitor in England or an equivalent international qualification (ideally NQ‑4 PQE).
• Experience in procurement is desirable.
• Must thrive and enjoy working in a fast‑moving environment.
• Must act in a professional manner at all times.

Responsibilities

• Support the continued development of legal documents such as NDAs and procurement contracts.
• Provide advice on contract interpretation to commercial teams.
• Review product packaging for compliance and draft promotional terms.
• Implement and monitor the compliance programme including data protection laws.

Skills

Proactive attitude

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Verbal and written communication skills

Education

Solicitor admitted in England or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Premier Foods plc is one of Britain’s biggest listed food companies with annual revenues in excess of £1bn and over 4,000 colleagues across 14 locations.

Responsibilities

• Support the continued development of legal, commercial drafting, reviewing and negotiating a variety of legal documents (e.g. NDAs, letters of variation, extensions, procurement contracts, sales contracts, distribution agreements, terms and conditions of sale and purchase, letters of termination).
• Provide advice to commercial teams on interpretation of contracts to deliver the desired commercial position.
• Review product packaging and liaise with brand and regulatory teams to ensure compliance and draft promotional terms and conditions.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of the compliance programme including competition, anti‑bribery, sanctions and data protection laws.
• Organise and create training materials, monitor attendance and spot compliance issues.
• Draft and review NDAs received from third parties, undertake trade mark clearance searches, review trade mark watch notices and draft trade mark licences and letters of consent to use our brands.

Qualifications

• Admitted as a solicitor in England or an equivalent international qualification (ideally NQ‑4 PQE).
• Experience in procurement is desirable.
• Must thrive and enjoy working in a fast‑moving environment.
• Must act in a professional manner at all times.
• Must be proactive, show initiative and have a hands‑on attitude.
• Must be able to multi‑task and instinctively deal with a wide range of contacts (internal colleagues, external suppliers, key stakeholders).
• High standards, attention to detail and a continuous desire to improve processes.
• Well‑developed verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Car allowance
• Bonus up to 7.5% pension
• Life assurance
• Wide range of online and in‑house training
• Employee discount scheme