Legal Counsel

Signal Hill Products; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 550 000 - 750 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company in Cape Town seeks a Legal Counsel to provide comprehensive legal support across the Group. This role involves managing legal risks while enabling commercial objectives, drafting and negotiating contracts, and overseeing litigation matters. Applicants should have an LLB, at least four years post-qualification experience, and work experience in an FMCG environment. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with business stakeholders to ensure compliance and successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum Four (4) years post-qualification legal experience with a proven track record in commercial law.
• Relevant, proven work experience within an FMCG, branded, or manufacturing environment.
• Admitted Attorney status is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on a wide range of matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts.
• Manage and oversee litigation matters across the Group.

Skills

Self-motivated

Good interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills

Good negotiator

Results driven

High attention to detail

Ability to multi-task

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Job description

Company Introduction

Signal Hill Products (SHP) is a dynamic company at the forefront of the ever-evolving beverage industry, dedicated to crafting, producing, selling, and delivering innovative and exciting beer and alcoholic beverage brands. SHP is committed to providing consumers with high-quality beverage options that meet their needs, preferences, and tastes.

Overall Responsibility

The Legal Counsel will provide comprehensive legal support across the Group, assisting with all matters relating to the Group’s legal services. The role will support the business in managing legal risk while enabling commercial objectives. This position reports directly to the group CFO.

Key Accountabilities and Focus Areas

Focus Area 1: Legal Advisory & Compliance

• Provide legal counsel across the Group on a wide range of matters, including commercial contracts, corporate and commercial transactions, competition law, intellectual property, environmental law, labour law, regulatory compliance, proposed legislation, and other legal matters as required.
• Advise business stakeholders on legal risk, governance, and compliance considerations to support informed decision-making.

Focus Area 2: Contract Drafting & Commercial Negotiation

• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts and agreements to protect the interests of SHP.
• Ensure contracts are legally sound, commercially aligned, and compliant with applicable laws and internal governance standards.
• Oversee the effective administration, tracking, and management of contracts and other legal documentation.

Focus Area 3: Litigation & Dispute Management

• Manage and oversee litigation matters across the Group.
• Monitor disputes to ensure timely resolution, cost control, and mitigation of legal and reputational risk.

Key Performance Indicators

• Legal Risk & Compliance: Proactively identify, manage, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks across the Group, ensuring full compliance and zero material breaches
• Contract Management Efficiency: Deliver timely, high-quality drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts in line with agreed SLAs and business requirements
• Litigation & Cost Control: Effectively manage litigation and disputes to achieve favourable outcomes while controlling external legal spend and exposure
• Business & Stakeholder Enablement: Provide responsive, commercially sound legal advice that supports business objectives and enables informed decision-making

Minimum Requirements

• Matric Certificate
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Literally Legum Baccalaureus (LLB) and Admitted Attorney
• Minimum Four (4) years post-qualification legal experience with a proven track record in commercial law at a reputable law firm
• Relevant, proven work experience within an FMCG, branded, or manufacturing environment
• Own Transport
• Travel Flexibility

  Skills and Competencies

  • Self-motivated
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)
  • Good negotiator
  • Results driven
  • High attention to detail
  • Must be able to multi-task

  Reporting Line

  • Reports to: Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

  NB: Specific duties/responsibilities will vary from time to time: the above list is intended to indicate the general nature of the post and is not exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to be flexible in supporting the business by undertaking any other responsibilities which are aligned with this job level.