Legal Counsel, Ornua UK

Reports to: Head of Legal, Group HQ (Dublin, Ireland)

Company Overview

Ornua is a dairy co-operative that markets and sells dairy products on behalf of its Members, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. Ornua is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products and has annualised sales of €3.4 billion. Ornua has a strong global team of 2,900 employees, operating from 10 business units worldwide, including 13 production facilities.

The Group is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer brands, including Kerrygold, Kerrygold Dubliner, Pilgrims Choice, Forto and BEO milk powders. Ornua Foods UK has a state-of-the-art cheese packing facility based in Leek, Staffordshire. It is the UK’s largest supplier of pre-packed hard cheese, supplying major UK food retailers, as well as wholesale, convenience and foodservice sectors.

Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world, and for managing volatility through de-risking and trading strategies. Ornua Ingredients Europe, headquartered in Nantwich, Cheshire, and supported by a processing and NPD facility in Spain, is a leading supplier of innovative, high quality and nutritious cheese to leading food manufacturing, food service and QSR customers.

At Ornua, our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. As a company, we care passionately about driving sustainable, profitable growth, underpinned by an ambitious ‘Path to Prosper’ strategy. The company has ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years.

Job Summary:

We have an exciting opportunity for a 5+ PQE lawyer to join our dynamic, innovative and growing business. You will be a key player in managing all legal matters that arise within Ornua Foods UK and Ornua Ingredients Europe, including foreseeing and managing risk, supporting innovation, advising on marketing claims, implementing contracts and navigating legal challenges. You will also work collaboratively with the global legal team to support other international legal matters.

You will report to the Head of Legal for Ornua in Dublin.

Dynamic Working:

Ornua has a Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid working. Our in-office policy is to be in the office three days a week, with two anchor days where all individuals are in the office. This position will be based in our Leek office. Occasional travel may be required.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• As Ornua’s first UK based in-house counsel, you will work closely with business colleagues in Ornua Foods UK and Ornua Ingredients Europe to achieve their commercial goals in a compliant and responsible way.
• Proactively identifying legal risks and emerging legislation impacting Ornua Foods UK and Ornua Ingredients Europe and helping colleagues navigate them by providing effective and practical solutions. Working across functions to implement the required practices, policies, and good governance.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating global and regional commercial agreements for sales, distribution, sponsorship and the purchasing of goods and services (media/advertising agencies, professional services, ingredients, logistics, digital).
• Advising (in collaboration with regulatory and IP colleagues) on promotional and marketing activities in the UK.
• Partnering with Ornua’s legal team and other functions to develop and implement compliance initiatives (e.g. sustainability, data privacy, competition law, anti-bribery, cyber security).
• Managing dispute resolution, litigation and settlement negotiations (with external support where required).

Experience and Qualifications:

The right candidate will:

• Have at least 5 years of relevant legal experience with a strong emphasis on commercial contracts and marketing initiatives.
• Have experience in an in-house role in a fast-moving consumer goods food or beverage industry is preferred.
• Ideally have Intellectual property experience.
• Be self-motivated and can evidence working autonomously in a dynamic environment.
• Have proven experience working collaboratively with business partners, such as marketing, innovation, procurement, sustainability as well as with colleagues in the legal team.
• Be commercially minded, with the ability to understand the commercial objectives, anticipate the nature and magnitude of issues that could arise and identify practical risk-based solutions.
• Have an appetite for learning and mastering new legal issues quickly and manage a diverse, changing workload.
• Have strong communication and influencing skills; with the ability to communicate with business partners in clear, audience-appropriate and engaging language.

This position is based in Leek, Staffordshire. The role requires a minimum of 3 days on site per week.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICANTS IS MONDAY 5TH MAY