Senior Corporate Counsel

Fonterra; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Fonterra, a global dairy nutrition company, is seeking a senior legal professional for a Chicago-based role. You will report to the General Counsel - Ingredients & Foodservice and partner with Global Markets and Growth teams across the US, Europe, and beyond to deliver pragmatic legal advice that supports strategic initiatives, manages risk, and drives commercial outcomes.

You'll act as a trusted advisor on commercial transactions, regulatory matters, and dispute management, with primary

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• 8+ years of relevant legal experience in large organizations or law firms.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day legal advice across commercial and corporate matters.
• Lead and negotiate major commercial agreements.
• Support regulatory matters and litigation management when required.
• Act as the primary legal contact for the Europe region, Growth team and designated strategic customer accounts.
• Identify, assess and proactively manage legal and commercial risks.
• Partner with business leaders to deliver practical, commercially focused solutions.
• Deliver legal training and guidance to stakeholders across the business.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

International law

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

We are Fonterra, one of the world's largest dairy nutrition companies. At Fonterra, you’ll be inspired by purpose and guided by principles. Whether you're based in New Zealand or anywhere else around the world, you’ll be part of a team that creates goodness for generations and delivers global impact through local action. Our brands are trusted by families and individuals alike, delivering high-quality dairy nutrition to millions of people globally.

As a Co-operative created and owned by New Zealand dairy farmers, our collaboration, innovation, and passion have enabled us to share the goodness of our dairy with the world. We're committed to caring for the land, our animals, and every drop of milk, producing nutritious food with safe, quality ingredients loved in New Zealand and around the world.

As part of the Fonterra Co-op, you'll be solving for a better future alongside a team connected by solid values as we strive to be a leader in dairy sustainability, dairy innovation and science, with a focus on New Zealand milk.

When you join Fonterra, you'll open yourself to a career of opportunities where you can grow with us by developing your skills, sharing your knowledge, and exploring diverse career paths that ignite your passions.

About the role

• This is a Chicago based role

Reporting to the General Counsel - Ingredients & Foodservice, this role plays a key part in supporting Fonterra's Global Markets and Growth teams. You'll partner with senior leaders and stakeholders across the United States, Europe and broader global business, providing pragmatic legal advice that helps deliver strategic initiatives, manage risk and achieve commercial outcomes.

Acting as a trusted advisor, you'll be involved in a broad range of complex legal matters including commercial transactions, strategic projects, contract negotiations, regulatory issues and dispute management. You'll also serve as the primary legal contact for Fonterra's Europe region, Growth team and selected strategic customer accounts.

This is an opportunity to work on high-impact international matters while contributing to the commercial success and strategic direction of a truly global organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day legal advice across a broad range of commercial and corporate matters
• Support major business projects, strategic initiatives and complex transactions
• Lead and negotiate commercial agreements with customers, suppliers and business partners
• Act as the key legal contact for the Europe region, Growth team and designated strategic customer accounts
• Identify, assess and proactively manage legal and commercial risks
• Support regulatory matters and litigation management when required
• Partner closely with business leaders to deliver practical, commercially focused solutions
• Contribute to wider legal team initiatives and capability development
• Deliver legal training and guidance to stakeholders across the business

About You

You're an experienced legal professional who combines strong technical expertise with commercial pragmatism. Comfortable operating in a complex international environment, you're known for building trusted relationships, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering balanced advice that enables business outcomes while effectively managing risk.

You’ll bring sound judgement, a proactive mindset and the confidence to work independently while remaining highly collaborative with colleagues across multiple geographies.

What You'll Bring

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school
• Active licence to practise law in at least one U.S. state
• 8+ years' relevant legal experience
• Experience advising on international legal matters; exposure to European legal and regulatory issues would be advantageous
• Strong law firm and/or in-house legal experience supporting large, complex organisations
• Expertise across general business and commercial law
• Excellent negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, complexity and change with confidence
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and executive presence

The benefits of life at Fonterra

Our people and what they bring to our Co-op shape our success. We have a collaborative culture, inspiring leaders, and passionate people, making Fonterra a great place to work. We also offer competitive remuneration ($190k - $230k) and a range of benefits, regardless of your role or location.

Fonterra is a place where everyone can be themselves, feel empowered to do their best, and are empowered to create goodness for generations.