Senior Counsel - Mergers & Acquisitions

Kraft Heinz; Monroe Center (IL); On-site; USD 164,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401k and retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a Senior Counsel for Mergers & Acquisitions to lead and support complex corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures within a fast-paced consumer goods environment.

The role requires JD, 7+ years of M&A experience, and prior in-house or law firm experience. Willingness to travel domestically and internationally is expected to support global transactions.

Qualifications

• JD Degree from an accredited law school and top academic credentials.
• 7+ years of M&A experience handling a variety of transaction types in roles of increasing responsibility.
• Prior law firm and/or in-house experience required.
• Excellent management skills and business judgment with the ability to make decisions and advise on business objectives and risks/rewards.
• Strong organizational skills, flexibility, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
• Proactive personality and commitment to understanding the industry and Kraft Heinz’s business.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a non-legal audience both verbally and in writing.
• Experience leveraging AI and other technology to drive M&A process efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and/or reviewing deal documents for all phases of M&A transactions, from confidentiality agreements to asset and stock purchase agreements and ancillary agreements.
• Serving as legal advisor on a variety of M&A matters and coordinating due diligence, structure analysis, regulatory review, and labor & employment.
• Collaborating cross-functionally with Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Risk Management, Supply Chain and within the Legal Department to meet deadlines.
• Identifying risks and developing risk-mitigation strategies with the M&A team and other Legal members.
• Engaging with stakeholders globally to drive business-oriented solutions in M&A initiatives.
• Advising on commercial contracting issues triggered by M&A transactions and coordinating outside counsel as needed.
• Updating templates and developing new templates to improve M&A process efficiency.
• Bringing a positive, collaborative approach and ability to work across all levels of the organization.

Skills

Management skills

Business judgment

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Willingness to travel

AI/Tech proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Job Description

Senior Counsel – Mergers & Acquisitions will serve an important role within the Kraft Heinz Legal Department’s transactional group. Responsibilities will include managing or supporting various aspects of complex corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and equity investments; coordinating and driving the due diligence process for transactional matters in collaboration with other functional areas; preparing and/or reviewing preliminary transaction agreements, including confidentiality agreements and investment banker engagement letters, as well as principal transaction documents such as purchase agreements, merger agreements and joint venture agreements in addition to ancillary agreements such as transition services agreements; and advising stakeholders on a variety of M&A-related issues as they arise during the lifecycle of a transaction, including during the integration or separation planning process, as applicable. The position may also involve the development of M&A templates, tools, playbooks and best practices together with other members of the M&A Legal team. Position will involve exposure to both domestic and global M&A transactions as well as to a broad range of substantive areas within a fast-paced CPG company.

Owners Only!

This is a role for someone who craves a global challenge balanced by the desire to be accountable for delivering results in the largest Region for Kraft Heinz. It will be both a strategic and a tactical position best suited for those who are learning agile and able to work effectively in teams.

Key Components Of The Role

• Drafting and/or reviewing deal documents for all phases of M&A transactions from confidentiality agreements to asset and stock purchase agreements to disclosure schedules and transition services agreements.
• Serving as legal advisor on a variety of M&A matters and helping stakeholders to progress all workstreams including, without limitation, due diligence, structure analysis, regulatory review, and labor & employment.
• Collaborating cross-functionally (e.g., with Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Risk Management, Supply Chain) and within the Legal Department to achieve desired results on tight timelines and with imperfect information.
• Identifying risks and developing risk-mitigation strategies in partnership with the M&A team and other Legal team members.
• Engaging with stakeholders across the globe to drive business-oriented solutions to complex issues arising in context of M&A initiatives.
• Advising on commercial contracting issues triggered in connection with M&A transactions.
• Coordinating engagement and oversight of outside counsel as necessary.
• Updating current contract templates and developing new templates to improve the efficiency of the M&A process.
• Bringing a positive, collaborative approach to all tasks undertaken with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Willingness to support other commercial areas on an as-needed basis.

Qualifications / Recipe For Success

• JD Degree from an accredited law school and top academic credentials required.
• 7+ years of M&A experience handling a variety of transaction types in roles of increasing responsibility.
• Prior law firm and/or in-house experience required.
• Excellent management skills and business judgment with a capacity to make decisions and give advice, which demonstrates an understanding of overall business objectives and the risks/rewards of each situation.
• Strong organizational skills, flexibility, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment that requires management of competing priorities and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proactive personality and commitment to understanding the industry and the company’s business.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a non-legal audience both verbally and in writing.
• Experience leveraging AI and other technology to drive M&A process efficiency and cost effectiveness without compromising quality is a plus.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally when necessary.

Location(s)

Chicago, IL or Glenview, IL

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range

$164,200.00 - $205,200.00

Bonus:

This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits:

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing:

We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

Benefits

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center, Glenview R&D Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.