At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal advice to support business growth in a dynamic FMCG environment.
- Company: Leading international food and consumer goods business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Enjoy a modern work environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Join a global team and make a real impact on innovative projects in the FMCG sector.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 5+ years' experience in commercial contracts, preferably in FMCG.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Our client is a leading international food and consumer goods business with a strong presence across the UK and global markets. Operating within a fast-paced commercial environment, the organisation partners with major retailers, foodservice providers and manufacturing customers worldwide. With a well-established portfolio of recognised consumer and B2B brands, the business continues to invest in innovation, sustainability and long-term growth. The company offers a collaborative, commercially driven culture and a modern flexible working environment.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a commercially minded Legal Counsel to join a global legal team in a high-impact role supporting UK and international operations. This position will partner closely with senior business stakeholders across commercial, marketing, procurement, innovation and sustainability functions, providing pragmatic and solution-focused legal advice that enables business growth while managing risk effectively. The successful candidate will operate with a high degree of autonomy, acting as a trusted advisor across a broad range of legal and regulatory matters in a dynamic and evolving business environment.
Key Responsibilities- Act as a trusted legal advisor to senior stakeholders across UK and international business units.
- Partner closely with commercial teams to provide timely, practical and commercially focused legal support.
- Support innovation and marketing teams on product launches, campaigns and business initiatives.
- Draft, negotiate and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements including sales, procurement, distribution, digital, media and professional services contracts.
- Support complex negotiations while balancing legal risk with commercial objectives.
- Identify opportunities to improve contracting processes, templates and ways of working.
- Advise on legal and regulatory developments impacting the FMCG and consumer goods sector.
- Translate complex legal issues into clear and actionable business guidance.
- Support compliance programmes across areas such as data privacy, competition law, ESG, anti-bribery and cyber security.
- Assist with governance frameworks and risk management initiatives.
- Manage disputes, litigation and settlement negotiations alongside external counsel where required.
- Take a proactive approach to issue resolution to minimise business disruption and legal exposure.
- Qualified lawyer with at least 5 years' PQE.
- Strong experience advising on commercial contracts.
- Previous in-house experience preferred, ideally within FMCG, food, beverage or consumer sectors.
- Experience with marketing and advertising compliance would be advantageous.
- Commercially astute with strong business partnering capabilities.
- Confident managing multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Able to communicate complex legal matters clearly and pragmatically.
- Collaborative, adaptable and solutions-focused approach.
- Comfortable working autonomously and taking ownership of matters.
This role offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements, with an expectation of approximately two days per week in the office. The position is based in Staffordshire.
Commercial Legal Counsel - FMCG - Morgan McKinley in Manchester employer: Morgan McKinley
As a leading international food and consumer goods business, our company is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and commercially driven culture. With a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, we offer flexible working arrangements and significant opportunities for professional growth, allowing employees to thrive in a dynamic environment while making a meaningful impact on the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Legal Counsel - FMCG - Morgan McKinley in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the FMCG sector, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and challenges. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to provide tailored legal advice that aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in commercial contracts and risk management can directly benefit the business. Keep it concise and impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and you can showcase your enthusiasm for joining a dynamic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Legal Counsel - FMCG - Morgan McKinley in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the role of Commercial Legal Counsel. Highlight your experience in commercial contracts and any relevant in-house roles, especially within FMCG or consumer sectors.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of how you've provided legal advice in a commercial context and how you’ve managed risk effectively.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In both your CV and cover letter, emphasise your ability to partner with senior stakeholders. Share examples of how you've influenced decisions and communicated complex legal matters clearly to non-legal teams.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan McKinley
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the FMCG sector and the specific legal challenges it faces. Understand the company's portfolio and how they operate in the market. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples of how you've provided practical legal advice that supported business growth in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you balance legal risks with commercial objectives, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you can effectively partner with various teams like marketing and procurement. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in the past and how you can bring that experience to the table.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think through potential legal issues that could arise in the FMCG space and how you would approach resolving them. This will showcase your proactive mindset and ability to manage disputes.
