SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL (PET NUTRITION SOUTH EUROPE) - BASED IN BARCELONA OR MILAN

Senior Legal CounselTHE JOB:The Senior Counsel will report to the European Associate General Counsel and will take responsibility for legal strategy in line with business and legal priorities, day to day legal matters with focus on key areas listed above, as well as driving Mars Ethics & Compliance programs within the cluster. The role will also encompass advising Regional Functions and management of law firms and legal budget. The Senior Counsel will act as engaged and high performing member of the Unit Leadership Team.Key Responsibilities:The Senior Counsel is member of the Pet Nutrition Europe legal team and also part of the Leadership Team of the Pet Nutrition Unit for the cluster South Europe (covering Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Israel/Palestine)The Senior Counsel is a broad legal generalist, primary responsible for managing the legal affairs for the Unit (including factories). The role supports the growth agenda, whilst protecting our freedom to operate in line with The Five PrinciplesThe Senior Counsel is responsible for adapting and rolling out the legal strategy and managing the day-to-day legal advice of the Unit, including for example. Marketing, Sales, Corporate Affairs, Employment, Supply, Commercial and Sustainability in all aspects of the Law (other than Marketing Properties and IP)The Senior Counsel is also responsible for legal advice to Regional Segment FunctionsThe Senior Counsel manages all day-to-day legal work (including factories) consistent with the business and legal priorities, e.g:Review and approve communications, advertising, promotions and product claims and related arrangements with third parties.Review, negotiate and formalize contracts, such as supply chain or demand relatedReview and advice on company related policies.Advise on sustainability matters in partnership with our Corporate and Segment Sustainability legal team members.Advise on privacy related matters.Review and advice on employment law related matters, including major re-orgs or labour proceedings, supporting our HR team (People & Organisation and Associate Relations)Support the Sales teams in legal related matters, including the design & implementation of negotiation strategy and resolution of conflictsAdvise Public and Corporate Affairs as well as SRA to influence the development of policy and regulatory legal environment and support compliance, when becoming effectiveEnsure Business Unit operates complying with all relevant legal obligations and Mars Ethics and Compliance programs, including roll out of policies, governance processes and trainingsAdvise on quality related issues & crisis from a legal perspective and as permanent member of the local CALM (crisis) TeamManage and co-ordination of disputes & litigationsPartner with Corporate and ICTC on corporate governance related mattersThe Senior Counsel will manage the network of external legal partners in order to ensure optimization and connection to the business, as well as consistency and quality of competent, timely and cost effective legal servicesThe Senior Counsel will create collaborative relationships across within Legal function (such as generalists supporting other segments, Security, Compliance, Intellectual Property and Marketing Properties teams) and other key stakeholdersWhat are we looking for?Fully qualified lawyer in Spain or Italy with at least 8-10 years of experience or suitable experience practicing law in the EUExperience in a law firm and/or the legal department of an international company with regional exposure in FMCG/retail sectorExperience in being member of a Business Unit Leadership TeamKnow-how in legal areas aboveManagement of outside counsel and legal spendMust be a self-starter, , results oriented, decisive and able to function independently in a “hands-on” environment.Agile and pragmatic and willing to draw “a line in the sand”, when required for legal compliance or The Five Principles.What can you expect from Mars?Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.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.