Managing Counsel

Request Foods; Holland (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Request Foods, a Michigan-based food manufacturer, seeks a Managing Counsel to act as the company’s in-house attorney and strategic legal partner at the Holland, MI site.

This role leads contract negotiations, regulatory compliance (FDA/USDA/FSMA), litigation management, corporate transactions, real estate, and governance. Ideal candidates have a JD, Michigan license, 15+ years of legal experience, and strong business acumen.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice in Michigan.
• Minimum of 15 years of legal experience, in-house preferred.
• Deep expertise in commercial contracts and negotiations.
• Strong working knowledge of food industry regulations (FDA, USDA, FSMA, labeling requirements).
• Experience in litigation management and risk mitigation.
• Exposure to M&A, real estate, and construction matters.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate customer supply and production contracts and vendor agreements.
• Provide guidance on indemnification, liability, warranties, and risk allocation.
• Counsel cross-functional teams on commercial terms and risk mitigation.
• Advise on food industry regulations and labeling requirements.
• Oversee litigation, disputes, and regulatory investigations.
• Support acquisitions, real estate transactions, and strategic partnerships.
• Develop governance policies and compliance programs.

Skills

Legal leadership

Commercial contracts

Regulatory compliance

Food industry knowledge

Litigation management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Licensed to practice law in Michigan

Job description

There has never been a more exciting time to join Request Foods. We’ve been selling products to many of the world’s leading food companies, retailers and restaurants for over 35 years. A privately owned and financially sound company, we do our best to run our business based on Christian values. Whether it’s cooking up great tasting food, assisting in customer support, providing quality and production leadership, or supporting administrative or technical activities, a career at Request Foods is a great opportunity. At Request, we’ve achieved success by treating our employees with integrity, trust and respect. If you’re passionate about food, and the people who help produce it, then Request Foods might just be for you.

Request Foods is seeking an experienced, business-oriented Managing Counsel to serve as the Company’s in-house attorney and strategic legal partner. This position plays a critical role in protecting the Company while enabling growth. The Managing Counsel will be central to effectively managing risk across contracts with customers, suppliers, and vendors; ensuring regulatory compliance including food-industry specific regulations; and advising leadership on strategic matters and initiatives.

The position also provides broad legal support across various disciplines such as litigation, acquisitions and real estate transactions among others. The ideal candidate combines deep legal expertise with strong commercial judgment and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Prior experience in the food industry is a plus. This position is based on site in Holland, Michigan. Candidates must be able to work in person at our Holland, MI location.

1. Commercial Contracts (Primary Focus)

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including customer supply and production agreements (retail, wholesale, CPG and private label) as well as supplier and vendor contracts
• Provide guidance on key contractual provisions, including indemnification, limitation of liability, warranties, and risk allocation
• Partner with commercial, procurement, and operations teams to balance legal protection with business objectives by providing counsel on key commercial terms
• Identify and mitigate contractual risks specific to food manufacturing, including product quality, recall exposure, and supply chain risk

2. Regulatory & Food Industry Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable food industry laws and regulations, including FDA, USDA, FSMA requirements, as well as food labeling, food safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices
• Advise cross-functional teams (Quality, Regulatory, Operations) on compliance matters
• Support product labeling reviews, claims substantiation, and regulatory disclosures
• Monitor and interpret changes in food safety and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate with external counsel as appropriate
• Manage litigation, claims, and disputes, including product liability matters and supplier/customer disputes.
• Coordinate with external counsel and insurers
• Support internal investigations and risk mitigation strategies

4. Corporate & Strategic Transactions

• Provide legal support for acquisitions and strategic partnerships, including due diligence activities and transaction structuring.
• Advise on legal risks associated with new markets, products, or business initiatives
• Review and negotiate real estate transactions, leases, land use agreements, and construction contracts related to plant expansions and capital projects.
• Ensure compliance with applicable zoning, environmental, and construction laws

6. Internal Advisory & Governance

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on legal, regulatory, and risk matters, supporting various matters as assigned
• Develop and implement policies, training, and compliance programs
• Translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance
• Support a culture of compliance without impeding operational efficiency
• Foster and maintain relationships with and provide cost-effective use and oversight of external legal counsel, consultants and advisors.

Key Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan
• Minimum of 15 years of legal experience, preferably including in-house experience within the food manufacturing, CPG, or other regulated industries, and/or law firm experience supporting manufacturing or consumer products clients.
• Deep expertise in commercial contracts and negotiations
• Strong working knowledge of food industry regulations (FDA, USDA, FSMA, labeling requirements)
• Experience in litigation management and risk mitigation
• Exposure to M&A, real estate, and construction matters
• Proven ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and operate independently in a high-growth environment.

Leadership & Personal Attributes

• High business acumen and practical decision-making
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively engage with senior leadership and customers
• Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple competing demands effectively
• Positive and professional demeanor including under stressful situations
• Ability to work independently while also being available to and collaborating with business partners