Assistant Legal Counsel in Kings Hill

Come and join the leading #avoexperts. Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe. With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

The Assistant Legal Counsel will support the in-house legal team by delivering timely, pragmatic legal advice across commercial contracts. The role requires close collaboration with other legal managers, commercial, finance and operations teams to shape contract terms, manage contractual risk and support transactional activity. In this role the Assistant Legal Counsel will also assist the Chief Legal and Governance Officer and Legal Manager with litigation and regulatory matters, manage relationships with external counsel, and provide guidance on employment and data protection issues as required. The role also involves assisting with legal queries, ensuring timely responses, and maintaining legal documentation as well as updating the teams in-house legal tracker.

Responsibilities Include:

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements with suppliers, customers and growers
• Provide practical legal advice across commercial, corporate and regulatory matters
• Manage litigation, disputes and external counsel, ensuring effective outcomes and cost control
• Develop and maintain legal templates, policies and standard clauses to reduce risk
• Conduct legal risk assessments and present clear mitigation strategies to stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, advising on regulatory changes
• Support transactional activity including M&A due diligence and contract transitions
• Undertake legal research, monitor legislative developments and provide clear summaries
• Maintain legal documentation, trackers and ensure timely responses to internal requests
• Collaborate across global teams, acting as a key liaison to support communication and cross-border projects

Requirements:

• Qualified solicitor, or equivalent legal qualification is essential. This would suit an ambitious NQ level solicitor.
• Experience of drafting and negotiating various commercial contracts across multiple jurisdictions
• Outstanding attention to detail, with the ability to spot and address issues proactively.
• Be comfortable working in a small team environment with minimal administrative support.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Be available to be onsite in our Kings Hill, UK office 3 days per week.
• A positive and professional demeanor with the ability to interact effectively at all organizational levels.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Prior experience in a law firm or private in-house legal team is advantageous.
• Commercial awareness and ability to provide business focused legal advice is desirable.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday
• Free on-site parking
• Company pension plan
• Medicash health plan
• Life Insurance

Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time. We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.