At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and build the legal function while providing commercial legal support across the business.
- Company: Join Valeo Foods, a fast-growing international food company with over 90 beloved brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, private medical cover, and generous holiday leave.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative role that influences decision-making and drives growth.
- Qualifications: Commercially minded lawyer with strong contracting experience and a collaborative spirit.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow in a dynamic environment with a focus on sustainability and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Valeo Foods Group is one of Europe's fastest-growing food companies, specialising in sweets, snacks and treats. We operate in over 100 countries serving major retailers, discounters, e-commerce, convenience stores, wholesalers, and foodservice operators. With revenues exceeding €1.8 billion, we employ over 5,400 people across more than 30 facilities in the UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovakia, Czech, and Canada.
To bring our purpose to life, we uphold five core behaviours that define how we work and what we stand for: Accountability, Agility, Disciplined, Transparency, Teamwork. These behaviours shape our culture and drive us towards excellence. We are committed to building a sustainable future for our people, clients, communities, and the planet.
This is a rare opportunity to join a fast-growing, international consumer business at a genuinely formative point. As our first incremental hire at Group Legal level, this role is about building as much as advising. You won't be stepping into a fully-formed function; you'll help shape how Legal operates as the business scales, embedding smart, commercial legal support at the heart of decision-making and growth.
From day one, you'll work closely with our central teams across Procurement, IT, People, Finance/Treasury and ESG, alongside ad hoc support for our international divisions. It's a hands-on role, drafting and negotiating commercial, procurement and technology contracts, and helping teams move faster with clear, practical guardrails in place.
As we continue to grow through acquisition, you'll also support M&A activity and post-deal integration, helping translate deal intent into practical, scalable outcomes. The scope goes well beyond transactions. You'll contribute to governance frameworks, litigation oversight, delegations of authority, IP protection and regulatory awareness, as well as helping roll out workable compliance and data protection approaches in partnership with People and IT.
What truly sets this role apart is the chance to build. Working alongside our Group Head of Legal, you'll help design legal intake and triage, create templates and playbooks, establish clause banks, and implement tools that allow Legal to scale efficiently, enabling self-serve for low-risk matters while keeping focus on what matters most.
We're looking for a commercially minded, pragmatic lawyer who enjoys being close to the business and thrives in environments where not everything is fully defined. You'll be comfortable switching between drafting, advising, designing processes and influencing stakeholders across functions and jurisdictions. You'll care about outcomes, not perfection, translating legal risk into clear, usable guidance that helps teams move faster and make better decisions.
You don't need to have done everything before. If you bring strong commercial contracting experience, sound judgement, curiosity and a builder's mindset, we'll support you to grow into the full breadth of the role as the team evolves. Collaborative and clear in your communication, you'll be someone who enjoys long-term partnerships and takes pride in doing the right thing for the business, our brands and our people.
Additional Information:
- Competitive Salary + Bonus + Car Allowance
- 25 days + Bank Holidays
- Matched pension scheme
- Private Medical Cover
- Death in service
- Retailer discount platform
Group Senior Legal Counsel employer: Valeo Foods UK
Contact Detail:
Valeo Foods UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Senior Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Valeo Foods Group and understanding their core behaviours. Show us how your values align with theirs, especially around accountability and teamwork. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets the company culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in commercial contracting and legal advisory can help shape the legal function at Valeo. We want to see your builder's mindset in action, so come prepared with examples of how you've added value in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our growing team at Valeo Foods.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Senior Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. A bit of humour or a personal touch can make your application stand out.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the role at Valeo Foods. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We love seeing how you can contribute to our mission of making everyday moments taste better!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and fluff. Make it easy for us to see why you're the right fit for the Group Senior Legal Counsel position.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Valeo Foods!
How to prepare for a job interview at Valeo Foods UK
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Valeo Foods Group. Familiarise yourself with their brands, values, and recent news. Understanding their core behaviours like Accountability and Teamwork will help you align your answers with what they stand for.
✨Showcase Your Pragmatic Approach
As a commercially minded lawyer, be ready to discuss how you've navigated complex legal situations in the past. Share specific examples where your practical solutions helped teams move faster or made a significant impact on decision-making.
✨Prepare for Process Design Questions
Since this role involves building legal processes, think about how you would approach designing legal intake systems or creating templates. Be prepared to share your ideas on how to implement efficient legal support that scales with the business.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Valeo Foods values teamwork, so highlight your experience working across different functions. Discuss how you've influenced stakeholders and built long-term partnerships, showcasing your ability to communicate clearly and effectively in diverse environments.