Legal Counsel (IT) - Americas (Mount Olive, NJ or Chicago, IL)

Job description

A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there's more to being in business than just making a profit. That's the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet. What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it's never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It's about how you can grab everything that's within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It's about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we'll all be a little better off. It's that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M's®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN'S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

*Mars Global Services is seeking a Mars Global Services Legal Counsel - Americas to support Digital Technologies (IT) located in Mount Olive, NJ or Chicago, IL*

The Counsel, Americas is responsible for effectively managing the legal aspects of indirect procurement transactions managed by Mars Global Services—Commercial (Commercial) and Mars Global Services— Digital Technologies (Digital Technologies) in the Americas. Covered transactions include IT and non-IT procurement transactions.

The incumbent will have the necessary functional expertise, be solution-oriented and comfortable making difficult decisions quickly and decisively based on sound judgment. Where necessary, the incumbent will effectively manage outside counsel in a manner intended to ensure high quality, timely and cost effective legal services. The incumbent will be skilled at creating collaborative relationships across Commercial and Digital Technologies in the Americas, and with other key stakeholders within Mars’ Legal Department (e.g., Compliance, Intellectual Property, Marketing Properties, Food Law and Privacy.)

Principal Accountabilities

·  Serves as single point of contact for Commercial and Digital Technologies in the Americas for all procurement transactions requiring legal support.
·  Draft, structure, review, support negotiation, document and finalize indirect procurement (including IT-related procurement) agreements.
·  Support/advise Commercial and Digital Technologies during contract negotiation and negotiate directly with suppliers’ counsel on contract terms.
·  Draft, maintain and improve templates used by Commercial and Digital Technologies in the Americas.
·  Train Commercial and Digital Technologies buyers on various aspects of the law relating to their activity.
·  Advise Commercial and Digital Technologies on contract terminations.
·  Collaborate as necessary with relevant members of the Legal Department on dispute resolution and litigation relating to procurement contracts (litigation management is out of scope).
·  In the context of commercial/procurement transactions, effectively assess risks and opportunities to mitigate risks and influence business decisions in light of these assessments.
·  Where relevant, closely supervise the work of outside legal advisors to ensure that transactions are supported with quality and efficiency in a cost-effective manner.
·  Manage relevant legal budgets in consultation with the Mars Global Services Assistant General Counsel.
·  Collaborate and partner with the regional business stakeholders and relevant members of the Legal Department.

Requirements:

·  Law Degree of a well-regarded law school.
·  Qualified in a jurisdiction in the NY, NJ or IL.
·  Bar Certification
·  Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
·  At least 5 years of work experience in related field required.
·  Ideally transaction focused experience in a law firm as well as several years in the legal department of a multinational company.
·  Very strong expertise in commercial Law and legal aspects of technology transactions.
·  Management of external counsel.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

Nearest Major Market: New Jersey
Job Segment: Outside Sales, Sales