Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our legal team to draft and negotiate commercial contracts while supporting global initiatives.
- Company: Dechra is a global leader in veterinary pharmaceuticals, dedicated to improving animal health and welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, life assurance, and discounts on pet food, plus hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey in a supportive, inclusive environment with diverse legal challenges.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with in-house experience, strong negotiation skills, and a collaborative mindset required.
- Other info: Occasional global travel may be needed; role based in Northwich office two days a week.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join or sign in to find your next job
Join to apply for the Legal Counsel – 2 year FTC role at Dechra
3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Legal Counsel – 2 year FTC role at Dechra
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
Direct message the job poster from Dechra
Thank you for checking out our vacancy, we’re delighted you want to learn more about joining Dechra.
A career at Dechra is different. We’re a growing global company with a presence in 27 countries but our purpose is simple – to achieve the sustainable improvement of animal health and welfare.
In this role you would be part of a legal team that’s not only highly skilled but genuinely supportive and collaborative. We work across borders, share knowledge freely, and celebrate each other’s successes. You’ll be empowered to grow, contribute, and make a difference — all while helping shape the future of a company that’s transforming animal health.
If you want to be part of a team that invests in your future and ensures you have the support to reach your full potential and thrive, please read on.
The Opportunity: Legal Counsel (Fixed-Term)
Contract: Fixed-Term (2 years)
Location: Hybrid (2 days a week at Northwich HQ inc. Thursdays for team meetings)
Dechra has an exciting opportunity for a Legal Counsel to join its experienced, truly collegiate global legal team. You will play a key role in Dechra’s ambitious global transformation journey, designed to shape the future of its business.
You’ll be supporting a key strategic initiative to re-contract with suppliers in various jurisdictions to help secure improved commercial and financial terms. You’ll work closely with the legal team’s business partner for Dechra’s Manufacturing and Supply Division (DM&S) as well as the wider legal team (based in the UK, US and Croatia) and colleagues across manufacturing, procurement, finance, sales and beyond. Although this is primarily a global commercial contracts role, the legal team support a huge range of interesting work across all Dechra functions globally so there will be ample opportunity to get stuck into a variety of other matters.
Role Responsibilities:
You’ll be an integral part of the legal team which partners with the business to deliver results. This is a role where you will be empowered to take ownership but will be supported by experienced colleagues where required. Your key responsibilities will include:
Drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts with external legal support as needed, in particular:
- Contract manufacturing agreements
- Supply chain and procurement contracts
- Warehousing, logistics, and distribution agreements
- MSAs, service contracts, and NDAs
Ideal Candidate
We’re seeking a confident, commercially minded lawyer who enjoys a collaborative, fast-paced environment, core requirements and skills include:
- Qualified lawyer with a current SRA practising certificate.
- Strong commercial law background, particularly drafting and negotiating manufacturing and supply contracts across multiple jurisdictions.
Experience in the following areas is desirable (but not essential):
- Experience in animal or human health sectors.
- Familiarity with distribution and logistics contracts.
- Experience working in-house as part of a global team.
What We Can Offer You?
- 33 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
- Hybrid working (2 days a week in the office in Northwich, including Thursdays for legal team meetings)
- Healthcare & Employee Assistance Program
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced family leave
- Discretionary bonus
- Discounted pet food
About The Company
If a career at Dechra has piqued your interest, find out more at Dechra Careers. All applications received are reviewed by our internal talent acquisition team and we will get in touch if your skills and experience match what we\’re looking for. Should you not hear back from us within 28 days please don\’t be too disappointed – we may keep your CV on our database for any future vacancies which could be suitable, and we encourage you to keep an eye on our careers site. We value diversity within our global workforce and encourage an inclusive culture. Any questions or queries, please contact us at
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Legal
-
Industries
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Legal Services
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Dechra by 2x
Get notified about new Legal Counsel jobs in Northwich, England, United Kingdom .
Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago
Stockport, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Helsby, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Manchester Area, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Northwich, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Manchester Area, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Manchester Area, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 months ago
Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Manchester Area, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Helsby, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Greater Cheshire West and Chester Area 2 weeks ago
Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Merseyside, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Manchester, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago
Senior Legal Counsel – Engine by Starling
Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Clinical Negligence Legal Assessor – None Fee Earning
Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Old Trafford, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Manchester, England, United Kingdom 4 weeks ago
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Legal Counsel - 2 year FTC employer: Dechra
Contact Detail:
Dechra Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - 2 year FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Dechra's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to animal health and welfare will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing your passion for the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Dechra on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations can provide you with insider knowledge about the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your commercial law knowledge, particularly regarding contracts related to manufacturing and supply chains. Being able to discuss relevant legal frameworks confidently will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated complex legal issues in previous roles. Highlighting your problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders will set you apart as a strong candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - 2 year FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant legal experience, particularly in commercial contracts and any specific experience with manufacturing or supply chain law. Use keywords from the job description to align your skills with what Dechra is looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for animal health and welfare, and explain how your background as a qualified lawyer can contribute to Dechra's mission. Be specific about your experience with negotiation and drafting contracts.
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully resolved legal issues or influenced stakeholders in previous roles.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a legal role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dechra
✨Understand Dechra's Mission
Before your interview, take some time to research Dechra's commitment to animal health and welfare. Being able to articulate how your values align with their mission will show your genuine interest in the role and the company.
✨Prepare for Contractual Discussions
Given the focus on drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, be ready to discuss your previous experiences in this area. Prepare examples of contracts you've worked on, particularly in manufacturing and supply chain contexts, to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Skills
Dechra values teamwork across various functions. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different stakeholders in past roles, especially in a global context, to highlight your ability to work effectively within diverse teams.
✨Demonstrate Proactive Problem-Solving
The role requires anticipating risks and providing strategic solutions. Think of instances where you've identified potential legal issues before they escalated and how you addressed them. This will illustrate your proactive approach and strategic thinking.
