Junior Legal Counsel

PepsiCo; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A global food and beverage company is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel in Cape Town, South Africa. The role involves project management, legal research, and policy development to enhance legal services across Sub-Saharan Africa. Candidates should hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and have 1-3 years experience in corporate/commercial law. Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills are essential. Join a dynamic team committed to legal compliance and innovation in a multinational environment.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years post-qualification experience in corporate/commercial law, compliance, or labor law.
• Skilled in interpreting legislation and assessing business impact.
• Familiarity with legal tech tools and process automation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate timelines and deliverables for global legal service projects.
• Track new laws and analyze implications for business readiness.
• Assist in policy restatement and HR initiatives.

Skills

Analytical Ability

Communication

Collaboration

Project Management

Innovation

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal degree

Tools

Legal tech tools

Job description

Overview

We are PepsiCo

PepsiCo is proud to be one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies. Every day, we are dedicated to bringing our mission to create more smiles with every sip and every bite to life. Our products are enjoyed more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Our portfolio — including Lay’s, Doritos, Gatorade, Pepsi and Quaker — consists of many iconic brands that generate more than US $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales, helping to deliver more than US $70 billion in net revenue in 2020.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive. Through PepsiCo Positive, we are charting a new course to drive positive action for the planet and people. PepsiCo Positive is an end-to-end strategic business transformation with sustainability at the centre of how we will create growth and value by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change.

In South Africa (SA), you will find our products across the region at breakfast, lunch or dinner. At the gym or on the field. In the office or on the go. We refresh, restore and rejuvenate our consumers all day, every day with our key brands including Simba, Lay's, Liqui Fruit and Bokomo range of cereals. PepsiCo SA employs more than 13, 000 people across our three business divisions: Bakeries, Grains, Foods, Fruit, Snacks, Juice & Beverages.

To support the Senior Legal Counsel in delivering global legal service projects and enabling initiatives that strengthen governance, compliance, and risk management across Sub-Saharan Africa territories. The role focuses on project management, legal research, policy development, and technology adoption to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of legal services.

Responsibilities

• Project Management: Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and transition requirements for global legal service projects.
• Regulatory Monitoring: Track new laws, judgments, and proposed regulations; analyze implications and draft recommendations for business readiness and mitigation.
• Policy & Governance Support: Assist the People Function with restated internal policies, human rights initiatives, and high-volume HR templates.
• Legal Research: Investigate precedents and labor law trends to improve risk visibility and reduce financial/reputational exposure.
• Technology & Simplification: Support ideation, design, and deployment of legal technology solutions and simplification workstreams.
• Risk Management: Monitor legal workstreams under the Enterprise Risk Management program; prepare reports on emerging risks in SA, Botswana, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Process Design: Collaborate with the legal team to create frameworks that simplify and enhance service delivery.
• Training & Development: Identify and recommend training programs aligned with team needs and General Counsel priorities.
• Crisis Management: Assist in tracking product recalls/withdrawals, advising on compliance and crisis strategies.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal degree.
• Professional Status: Admission as an attorney or candidate attorney in progress.
• Experience: 1-3 years post-qualification experience in corporate/commercial law, compliance, or labor law.
• Additional Advantage: Exposure to project management, legal technology, and multinational business environments.
• Legal Qualification: LLB or equivalent; admission as an attorney or in progress.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of labour law, corporate governance, and compliance frameworks.
• Analytical Ability: Skilled in interpreting legislation and assessing business impact.
• Project Management: Experience in managing timelines and deliverables across multiple stakeholders.
• Research & Drafting: Ability to prepare legal opinions, reports, and recommendations.
• Technology Awareness: Familiarity with legal tech tools and process automation.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal skills for stakeholder engagement.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate emerging risks and propose proactive solutions.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to work across global and local teams.
• Adaptability: Comfortable with ambiguity and evolving priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Innovation: Drive for continuous improvement and simplification of legal processes.
• Risk Awareness: Ability to balance legal compliance with business objectives.

“PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer in line with the Employment Equity Act