Senior Legal Counsel - 18m FTC

Booker; Little Irchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food and drink wholesaler in the UK is seeking a qualified Lawyer to provide expert legal advice and ensure compliance across the business. The role requires strong leadership skills, a deep legal knowledge, and the ability to manage high-value contracts. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience and a track record of effectively influencing business decisions. Flexible working options are available.

Qualifications

• Strong track record of delivering results and leading teams.
• Deep legal expertise with commercial acumen.
• Proven ability to manage risk while driving progress.

Responsibilities

• Lead on compliance areas including GSCOP and Competition Law.
• Oversee compliance frameworks and mandatory training.
• Negotiate and draft high-value strategic contracts.
• Provide commercial and legal advice to support business objectives.
• Manage disputes and litigation risks.

Skills

Commercial Insight

Influencing & Relationship Building

Leadership & Development

Strategic Thinking

Technical Expertise

Collaboration

Education

Qualified Lawyer with 10+ years PQE

Job description

In this 18 month fixed term contract, you will be reporting directly to the Head of Legal and will play a pivotal role at the heart of the business. You’ll provide expert, pragmatic legal advice to ensure Booker remains safe, healthy, and compliant. Acting as a strategic partner to the Functional Leadership Team, you’ll influence and challenge decisions with integrity, demonstrating strong leadership and communication skills. This role spans all areas of the business and involves close collaboration with the wider Tesco legal team.

• Lead on compliance areas such as GSCOP, Competition Law, Advertising Standards, and Money Laundering risks.
• Oversee compliance frameworks, mandatory training, and horizon scanning for regulatory changes.
• Negotiate and draft high-value, strategic contracts.
• Provide commercial and legal advice to support business objectives.
• Manage disputes, litigation risks, and regulatory investigations.
• Collaborate across the business and with the wider Tesco legal team on major projects.
• Line manage and develop junior lawyers and support staff.
• Deliver training and maintain expertise on governance and regulatory matters.

We are looking for a qualified Lawyer with 10+ years PQE or equivalent, with a strong track record of delivering results and leading teams. You combine deep legal expertise with commercial acumen, bringing a pragmatic approach to managing risk while driving progress.

• Commercial Insight – Ability to balance risk and reward, with a willingness to learn the wholesale, distribution, and foodservice industry.
• Influencing & Relationship Building – Skilled at shaping agendas, building trust, and challenging norms with confidence.
• Leadership & Development – Proven experience in managing teams, developing capability, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Strategic Thinking – Anticipate emerging risks, adapt to market dynamics, and embrace innovation and technology.
• Technical Expertise – Diverse legal background with strong governance and compliance knowledge (e.g., GSCOP, Competition Law, GDPR).
• Collaboration – Comfortable working cross-functionally and engaging with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Business-to-business experience is preferred, and you’ll be motivated by opportunities to learn, add value, and support the wider business in achieving its strategic objectives.

Booker is the UK’s leading food & drink wholesaler. We are privileged to serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses, from locations across the country. We operate over 190 cash and carry branches, eight distribution centres, five Best Food Logistics sites, as well as six support centre locations across the UK.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) at Booker means that whoever you are and whatever your background, we always want you to feel represented and that you can be yourself at work. In short, we’re a place where Everyone’s Welcome.

We know life looks a little different for each of us. That’s why at Booker and Best, we always welcome conversations about flexible working. Some people are at the start of their careers, some want the freedom to do the things they love. Others are going through life-changing moments like becoming a carer, nearing retirement, adapting to parenthood, or something else. So, talk to us throughout your application about how we may be able to support you.

We’re proud that Booker is a Disability Confident Committed employer and we’re committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support you can expect, please contact [e-mail]

Please note

We can only accept candidates over the age of 18 if the role requires working before 6:15 am or after 9:45 pm or involves working in areas such as the warehouse, beers, wines & spirits, and driving roles.

On the occasions where we have high volumes of applicants, some roles may close earlier than the advertised end date in order for us to manage all of the applicants appropriately. We will only be able to offer individual feedback to those candidates who attend an interview.

*Booker Group is part of Tesco plc, however, is operated separately from the core Tesco business and as such the benefits offered will be different from those offered at Tesco*

For more information about us please visit www.bookergroupjobs.co.uk