Strategic In-House Counsel, Food Manufacturing & Compliance

Request Foods; Holland (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Request Foods is seeking an experienced Managing Counsel to serve as the company’s in-house attorney and strategic legal partner. This position protects the company while enabling growth by managing risk across contracts with customers, suppliers, and vendors and by ensuring regulatory compliance in the food industry.

Based on site in Holland, Michigan, the ideal candidate combines deep legal expertise with strong commercial judgment to advise leadership across litigation, acquisitions, real

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Protect the Company while enabling growth by managing risk across contracts with customers, suppliers, and vendors.
• 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.
• Coordinate with external counsel and insurers.
• Support internal investigations and risk mitigation strategies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on legal, regulatory, and risk matters.
• Develop and implement policies, training, and compliance programs.
• Translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.
• Foster and maintain relationships with and provide cost-effective use and oversight of external legal counsel, consultants and advisors.

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

Request Foods is seeking an experienced Managing Counsel to serve as the company’s in-house attorney and strategic legal partner. This position protects the company while enabling growth by managing risk across contracts with customers, suppliers, and vendors and by ensuring regulatory compliance in the food industry.

Based on site in Holland, Michigan, the ideal candidate combines deep legal expertise with strong commercial judgment to advise leadership across litigation, acquisitions, real