Senior Counsel: Global Contracts & Vendor Management

General Mills Services; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 249,000; Full time

Job summary

General Mills is seeking a Senior Counsel to oversee commercial contracts and vendor management from Minneapolis, helping to shape strategy across procurement, sourcing, and supplier relationships. The role demands extensive transactional experience and a proven track record in negotiating complex agreements.

The successful candidate will counsel across cross‑functional teams, draft and negotiate diverse contracts, and manage risk while aligning legal strategy with business goals.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (Minnesota bar admission or eligibility for admission preferred).
• 7+ years of post‑J.D. experience in commercial contracting with hands-on experience across indirect procurement, direct materials, and supply chain/logistics.
• Demonstrated dispute resolution experience with strategies and negotiating positions for complex disputes.
• Proven ability to work in a large, multinational, matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent business judgment and the ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable guidance.
• Self-starter able to manage high-volume workload with independent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare contracting approaches for a broad range of complex commercial agreements in support of Global Sourcing and Supply Chain operations.
• Provide legal support for indirect contracts including software licensing, SaaS, and technology services agreements, as well as IP licensing.
• Draft and negotiate direct materials contracts for ingredients, raw materials, and packaging.
• Structure and negotiate external supply chain contracts including co-manufacturing, warehousing, and transport agreements.
• Develop and maintain template agreements and contracting guidelines; leverage AI tools for efficiency.
• Identify and assess legal risks; escalate significant issues to leadership as needed.
• Collaborate with Sourcing, Finance, Digital & Technology, marketing, and operations leadership for practical legal advice.
• Advise on contract interpretation, remedies, renewals, amendments, and terminations.

Skills

Commercial contracting

Dispute resolution

Negotiation

Drafting

Cross-functional collaboration

Vendor management

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

General Mills is seeking a Senior Counsel to oversee commercial contracts and vendor management from Minneapolis, helping to shape strategy across procurement, sourcing, and supplier relationships. The role demands extensive transactional experience and a proven track record in negotiating complex agreements.

The successful candidate will counsel across cross‑functional teams, draft and negotiate diverse contracts, and manage risk while aligning legal strategy with business goals.